OSU walk-on lands crucial role
STILLWATER — Ben Kopenski was so excited in the moment that he wasn’t really prepared for what was next.
Oklahoma State defensive end and teammate Brock Martin wanted to celebrate. He pushed Kopenski in excitement, only for Kopenski to lose his balance over the legs of Tulsa quarterback Davis Brin.
Kopenski, quick to recover, didn’t let that take away from the moment.
Kopenski had just blown past Tulsa left tackle Tyler Smith to sack Brin for a 9-yard loss early in the second quarter of Saturday’s 28-23 win over the Golden Hurricane.
It was Kopenski’s first-career sack. “I hope he gets another one next week,” fellow defensive end Tyler Lacy said.
That moment wouldn’t have happened two seasons ago for a third-year walk-on like Kopenski. He likely would have never seen the field in such a key role.
Only just a year ago, OSU coach Mike Gundy started to work more players in during practice as a way to combat a possible COVID-19 outbreak that would
leave his team shorthanded.
That led to more reps for some players. It enabled them to be discovered.
Enter Kopenski. Through two games, he’s a bright spot and an inspiration for the Cowboys’ stout defense heading into Saturday night’s big road matchup at Boise State.
“Everyone that’s a fan of Oklahoma State should love Ben Kopenski,” OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “He’s a walk-on. He’s made himself into a player. He’s just a really headsy, tough guy and a fighter. It’s good to see him have some success.”
Kopenski, a redshirt junior from Prosper High in McKinney, Texas, was a little-known player to most.
He was a scout-team player of the week in 2019. He played just once in two active seasons, the 2019 blowout of McNeese State.
His reps in practice were limited at best, based on where he was in the depth chart.
Gundy changed that last season. Out of fear players would be unprepared should starters and backups go down with COVID-19, Gundy reworked his practice schedule.
Starters and backups kept close to the same reps. But third-string guys got almost equal reps and practice extended. In a typical year, third-string players would have about 50 total reps.
By this fall, a thirdstring player had nearly five times that, Gundy estimated.
“We just never did that,” Gundy said about getting reps for those players.
“Not very smart on my part.”
Gundy stuck with the formula this preseason. By then, Kopenski was quietly emerging as a possible option at defensive end.
He benefited from a spring without Brock Martin and Trace Ford. Then Ford suffered a second torn ACL two days before the season opener.
Kopenski played against Missouri State. He was in at crucial times against Tulsa.
“We wouldn’t know anything about Kopenski if he didn’t get this work,” Gundy said. “He started showing up in the spring and we were like, ‘ This guy’s playing pretty good. The guy’s making some plays. He likes to tackle. He’s not scared. OK, we can use him if we need him.’
“Well, sure enough, we needed him. It worked out good.”
Kopenski’s sack also came in a new wrinkle for the Cowboys’ defense. Four defensive ends made up the line.
Tyren Irby. Martin. Lacy. Kopenski.
It’s a speed rush in a sure passing situation.
And it’s allowed for an unknown player to emerge.
“Ben came in with me,” said Lacy, whose locker is next to Kopenski’s. “He’s like one of us. I don’t view him as a walk-on.
“I view him as one of the scholarship guys.”