Wallace named semifinalist for annual Biletnikoff Award
STILLWATER —
A message scrawled into the snow layering the Boone Pickens Stadium turf Monday marked the start of a marketing campaign.
On the day Oklahoma State sophomore receiver
was named among the 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award given annually to the nation’s top pass-catcher, snow was scraped away for the words “WALLACE BILETNIKOFF” to appear, the OSU brand logo at midfield coming through, as well.
Wallace ranks third nationally with 1,282 receiving yards, while his 18.85 yards per catch are the most among the 81 receivers with more than 45 catches. Nine of Wallace’s 68 receptions have been touchdowns.
“He’s further ahead than guys we’ve had that have won the award,” OSU coach
said, “and it’s really not even close.”
Wallace would be OSU’s fourth Biletnikoff Award winner in the past nine seasons, joining
(2010 and 2011) and
(2017).
On a snowy day throughout Oklahoma, Gundy wanted to talk about snowflakes.
Asked about the modern ease of transferring a day after sophomore safety
announced his decision to do, Gundy went off on the concept.
“I think we live in a world where people are non-committal,”
Nathan Ruiz
Gundy said. “We allow liberalism to say, ‘Hey, I can just do what I want and I don’t have to really be tough and fight through it.’
“In the world today, there’s a lot of entitlement. I’m a firm believer in the snowflake. I think it’s setting there. And I’m not talking about Thabo. Thabo and I have had multiple good talks. I’m talking about every millennial young person. Generation Z, I think is what they call ’em. It’s the world we live in because if they say, ‘Well, it’s a little bit hard,’ we say, ‘OK, well, let’s go try something else.’ vs. ‘Hey, let’s bear down and let’s fight and do this.’”
Extra points
• Gundy said running back has been cleared to play against West Virginia after a rib injury limited him to five carries against Oklahoma.
• Punter felt “woozy” after taking a hit on his first punt of Saturday’s Bedlam and didn’t return, but Gundy said he should be able to play against the Mountaineers.
• Freshman safety who has played in four games, will not play the remainder of the year and redshirt.
• OSU’s regular-season finale at TCU will be at either 6 p.m. on FS1 or 7 p.m. on Fox.