STILLWATER – As the sun came down over the western sky outside the Sherman Smith Training Center on the Oklahoma State campus the Cowboys wrapped up their fifth bowl practice, the first two last Thursday and Friday were primarily for the younger players as they got all the reps with the offensive and defensive staff coaching them up. The green scout team jerseys reappeared on Sunday evening as the scout team went back into their impersonation of the opponent, the Miami Hurricanes. Just like everything else in 2020 and this rather interesting football season. The bowl, Oklahoma State’s school record 15th in a row and all legitimate with at least a 6-6 record for each, will be different than any bowl prior.
“Weird, this season has just been weird,” cowboy back Logan Carter said.
To start with head coach Mike Gundy recognizing that the players have basically been on campus and in the team bubble since reporting in June will get three days off for Christmas and many will get to go home and see family, a few will not. The team will test early Wednesday morning and then will not have to report back until midafternoon on Saturday with a late afternoon practice.
Oklahoma State Athletics
Practice has been in the Sherman Smith Training Center.
“Us as a team and players did a very good job being disciplined and staying away from COVID,” said linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. “We did a good job and were able to play every game. Some teams weren’t able to play every game. It was just a privilege to be able to play every game.”
“It was crazy from start to finish and it is just something that you had to deal with even though there have been a lot of ups and downs,” cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse said. “It’s just like every year and you cherish every moment because you don’t know when will be the last moment. I’ve learned to live it moment to moment.”
Mark my words having watched practices, the players are excited and grateful for the time off to see family and celebrate Christmas. In most bowl seasons the team would be at the bowl site for Dec. 25. COVID-19 made it possible for them to be at home. The team will be extra motivated because of the gesture from Gundy and his staff. Tuesday’s practice in helmets, shoulder pads, and sweats was lively. Happy and motivated teams tend to do much better in bowl games.
Dillon Stoner was in the last bowl game in Orlando as Oklahoma State beat Virginia Tech 30-21 in the Camping World Bowl. Stoner caught a touchdown pass in the game.
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Stoner with a sliding touchdown grab against Virginia Tech.
“We got much more of a bowl experience the last time we went to Orlando going to Disney World and everything,” said Stoner in his senior season. “(I’m) definitely going to miss the bowl experience but excited to play Miami one last time as a Cowboy.”
The Cowboys will report back on Saturday afternoon and then practice around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night. There will be testing too. Sunday is full of meetings and a late practice.
Monday is the travel day, and it will start early with staff testing at 6:30 a.m. and players following. The team’s United Airlines charter will depart at 11:15 a.m. The team will take two planes to Orlando and the Cheez-It Bowl with extra equipment and medical staff along with no travel squad players on the second flight. Some teams may not be taking their practice players to bowl games since they are now basically one-night road trips. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was adamant about it.
“Those players have been here all season and we don’t get ready to play games without their contributions,” Gundy told me. “Those kids deserve to be there. It is likely that they will be in the stands at the game much like Iowa State’s players at the Big 12 Championship Game. They were shown sitting in the stands.
First-class programs follow through like that and believe me, it will also come up in recruiting either directly or because a player made the trip and is happy with the way he is treated then it will be reflected to future players, whether they are highly sought-after recruits or necessary walk-ons in the program.
Again, unlike most bowl games, the team will go directly to the airport after the game and fly home to Stillwater.
