Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy Addresses Arland Bruce Charges

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State went through a two hour and a half scrimmage and practice on Saturday morning inside Boone Pickens Stadium and for the second day the Cowboys were without transfer slot receiver and kick returner Arland Bruce IV, who came to OSU from Iowa back in January. This week it was announced that Bruce was formally charged in the gambling investigation that has implicated a good number of Iowa and Iowa State current and former student-athletes. 

Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bruce catches a pass at Iowa.

Bruce is accused of completing 132 wagers totaling over $4,342, including 19 alleged wagers on a total of 12 Iowa football games over the last two seasons, 11 of which Bruce participated in. Bruce had practiced in the previous seven practices in fall camp after going through spring and summer program in the Oklahoma State football program. It is important to note that none of the accusations against him took place at Oklahoma State or happened while he was in the program.

Gundy pointed out that once Oklahoma State was notified of Bruce’s situation he was taken out of football activities. Today was the second day that Bruce has not been suited up and was not with the team.

Jerod Hill/OSU Athletics

Bruce catches a pass in the spring.

“He’s got some things he has to work out way outside of football,” Gundy said. “You guys are aware of the transfer rules. When we take a transfer that is an underclassmen then we have to keep him until he graduates. We are responsible for him.”

Gundy said he realizes how serious these charges are and he said he told the staff that we have to keep him (Bruce) with us. He pointed out that Bruce is still on scholarship and that he still eats with the team and the football program will stay connected to Bruce.

Last week offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn told the Extreme Campers when they asked, that Bruce was running third team. That was true but Gundy said Bruce was showing up in practices and that he was going to help the team this season.  

“He was practicing really well and was going to be a factor in our team, I’ll put it that way. So now we have to bounce some guys around a little bit.”

“We’ll move some guys around,” Gundy said. “We’ve got guys that can play multiple positions.”

You will see plenty of Blaine Green, Rashod Owens, and likey freshman Jalen Pope at the slot receiver. All practiced on Saturday and caught multiple passes including the freshman Pope from Aledo, Texas.