OSU seniors led discussions on social injustice
STILL WATER— Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy gave his team Friday off from practice with the players meeting to discuss the ongoing struggle for racial justice in light of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
Gundy said the seniors guided discussions with the team breaking into small groups throughout the west end zone facility of Boone
Pickens Stadium.
One of the key complaints from players over the summer had been that they felt Gundy was disconnected from their opinions on what was going on in the world during the time of George Floyd's death at the hands of a police officer in Minnesota and racial protesting in several parts of the country.
Friday's decision to cancel practice appeared to be a step toward Gundy taking a stronger interest in his
players' feelings.
“We let the players have input on the situation ,” Gundy said .“So the seniors l ed the way and got together and had some discussions, and got some good information.
“It was just listening. Everybody was just listening to an opinion on how people felt.”
Backup quarterback battle ongoing
With starting qu arterback Spencer Sanders firmly entrenched, competition has continued for the No. 2 job behind him.
Junior- college transfer Ethan Bullock and true freshman Shane Illingworth are competing for the position, which proved to be an important one last season. Sanders injured his thumb in early November and missed the final three-plus games of the year, with Dru
Brown taking over.
“Both guys are doing really well,” Gundy said. “We've split reps with them. We're gonna make a decision at this time next week on who that quarterback will be.”
In addition to splitting time leading the secondteam offense, the backups also get occasional playing time with the first team.
The 6- foot -5,220pound Illingworth arrived in January as a four-star recruit out of California and got a little extra work in before Bullock arrived in early June.
The recent NCAA ruling that players will not lose a year of eligibility for competing this fall could factor into the Cowboys' decision as well, because redshirting Illingworth isn't as much of a concern if he won't burn his freshman season anyway.
Cowboys will have Aussie kicking combo
It looks to bean
Australian duo handling the place kicking and punting for Oklahoma State t his season, with redshirt sophomore Alex Hale taking the lead on the competition to kick field goals.
He will join 30- yearold sophomore Tom Hutton, who returns to t he role of punter after starting as a true freshman last season.
Previously a soccer player, Hale, 22, walked on as a true freshman in 2018 after working to become a place kick er at the John Carney Training Facility in Carlsbad California. Hale is originally from Point Frederick, New South Wales in Australia.
Junior Jake McClure returns as the kick off specialist and holder for placements, with junior Matt Hembrough back at deep snapper.
“I've been pleased with our special teams and our battery in punting and kicking up to this point,” Gundy said.