STILLWATER – Oklahoma State football had a very successful opening weekend of the 2024 season as they beat South Dakota State, 44-20.
Running back Ollie Gordon II kicked things off on the right foot as well as he led the nation in rushing missed tackles with 13.
Gordon II finished the game with 27 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns, with four receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown.
While Ollie was obviously very good last season as he won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country, he’s noticablly bigger, stronger and a touch faster than he was last year. And that was very evident in those missed tackles against the Jackrabbits.
“Well, he was physical last year, and he looks to be physical again now,” head coach Mike Gundy said of Ollie in the postgame presser. “I thought he ran very well. Made guys miss, guys bounce off of him. He made big runs at key times today, and he looks better physically running than even he did last year, in my opinion. Now, as we get through the next month, we start to play teams that are going to be bigger and more athletic — again, not taking anything away from them — but we’re going to play teams that will be in a better physical presence. It’ll be interesting to watch him. But today, I thought he was good from a physical standpoint.”
Ollie will get a chance to build upon his strong start to the season as the Pokes host Arkansas this weekend for an 11 a.m. CT kick on ABC.
