Five Cowboys Needed to Come Up Large in Orlando

STILLWATER – Those of you that know me know I have a real hesitance to compare battle in sports to battle in real life war. While I never served in the military, both of the men that raised me growing up, my father and my uncle were buried after flags were removed from their caskets. I have the utmost respect for our veterans and in recent years heroes like former Oklahoma State defensive end and Navy Seal Nate Peterson and my son’s friend and severely wounded Army Rangers hero Ryan Davis.

That said, I recently saw the final episode again of one of my favorite war series, Band of Brothers, and the famous scene of German Lt. General Theodor Tolsdorff’s speech to his men in Austria after the German’s surrendered to end World War II in Europe.

"Men, it's been a long war. It's been a tough war. You've fought bravely, proudly for your country. You're a special group. You've found in one another a bond that exists only in combat, among brothers. You've shared foxholes, held each other in dire moments. You've seen death and suffered together. I'm proud to have served with each and every one of you. You all deserve long and happy lives in peace."

I do think this season has some aspects of military service and sacrifice that we have never seen in sports before. These athletes at Oklahoma State and across the board have had to stay almost exclusively to themselves. They have had to give up many freedoms and many of the spoils of being a college athlete on a campus. Less celebrity and more restrictions, less privileges and more discipline were the necessary input to even having a season in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has been a long season and many teams have failed to answer the call, failed to be disciplined enough to keep the coronavirus out of their locker room, out of their meeting rooms, and away from their team. Part of the process in this college football season was all about battling COVID-19 and getting on the field. Another part of it was dealing with the schedule, which could have a game cancelled one week and moved to the next or to the end of the season. There were complete cancellations. There were hastily arranged games at the last minute and players moved up the depth chart the day before kickoff. There were coaches that were held out at the last minute because of positive tests or contact tracing. 

This was more than college football on the whole, and for sure, it’s participants have had to deal with. In the case of Oklahoma State there were lots of injuries. In my opinion, the crazy schedule that wiped out spring football and made the summer conditioning program a different experience may have contributed to the increased injuries. 

The Cowboys had five different offensive linemen out because of injuries. One was done before the season started. There were two others that were dismissed from the team for team rules violation. Then two more, the right side that were injured in the first half of the opener with Tulsa. Teven Jenkins opted out of the final two games of the season.

All-American Chuba Hubbard, back-up running back LD Brown, quarterback Spencer Sanders all missed three games or more during the season. Tylan Wallace missed two complete games during the season.

Players were asked to step up, perform at their greatest level, and while the Cowboys finished a disappointing 7-3 in a season where it was thought they could win the Big 12, the fact that Oklahoma State answered every call, never had a game called or changed because of them is impressive. Oklahoma State did not lose a single starter on the depth chart for that week to COVID-19 and they only lost two back-ups. They may be the only FBS team to say that.

They did lose others to injuries and now some to opt outs like corner Rodarius Williams and Jenkins and Hubbard. They just lost defensive end Trace Ford to a season ending injury in the Baylor game. That means some guys need to step up for the Cheez-It Bowl and a team as athletic and talented as the 8-2 Miami Hurricanes.

#1 - Calvin Bundage, DE, 6-1, 220, RS-Sr., Edmond (Santa Fe), Okla. 

The explosive Bundage is athletic enough to play at defensive end and keep dangerous Miami QB D’Eriq King from escaping, but Bundage must resist the urge to rush out of control and go for the sack versus keeping King confined in an elongated pocket. Escape and King is capable of running all over the field. Without Ford, Bundage, a fellow Santa Fe grad becomes more valuable.

#40 - Brock Martin, DE, 6-3, 240, RS-Jr., Oologah, Okla.

AP Jerry Larson

Martin was part of two sacks at Baylor.

No defensive player has been more productive in the past month than Brock Martin. Martin has been a sack monster and has also caused turnovers and he had the scoop and score against TCU. Martin has looked really good. Like Bundage, he will need to protect the edge and rush King carefully, hoping for a sack or two or some hurries, but definitely keeping King in check with the running game. 

#87 - Logan Carter, CW, 6-3, 245, RS-Sr., Henrietta, Texas

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Logan Carter congratulates Dezmon Jackson.

Everybody knows that Jelani Woods has transferred and has already landed at Virginia. Carter has always had the more reliable hands but he can’t be 6-7, 275 pounds. Carter is a dogged blocker and is a true “blue collar” great effort player. He and Dayton Metcalf and Braden Cassity now are at the forefront of the Cowboy back position.  

#67 - Cole Birmingham, OG, 6-8, 308, RS-Fr. , Katy, Texas

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Caption

Birmingham is back and gives the Oklahoma State offensive line some more size. Birmingham is a good technical blocker that has a lot of strength. He has come all the way back from the foot injury against Tulsa and is pumped to get back at it. Depth is expanded because you have Preston Wilson and Hunter Anthony is ready to play at tackle.

#0 - Christian Holmes, CB, 6-1, 200, RS-Sr., Univ. of Missouri/Leland, Miss.

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Holmes celebrates with Kolby Harvell-Peel.

Rodarius Williams opting out has put Holmes in the starting line-up and moved up back-ups like Korie Black and Jabbar Muhammad to playing status. Holmes is a big, physical corner and this Miami receiver corps will be a challenge. It is a big key as Miami can win the game throwing the football.