STILLWATER – I think most of us who follows Oklahoma State knew the program’s all-time leading receiver by receptions, Brennan Presley, would find his way into the NFL, even if he is just 5-8, 175 pounds. Just as we suspected, the undrafted rookie free agent receiver, and return specialist, stood tall on Saturday night in his first preseason game as a professional. Presley made Oklahoma State fans proud as he was one of several former Cowboy football players who stood out on the third night of the first full week of NFL preseason games.
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Presley dances after touchdown catch.
Presley filled up his stat line with the headliner being a five-yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone from quarterback Stetson Bennett IV in the fourth quarter. Presley was open, caught the pass on the run and then got to break into a celebration dance. Oklahoma State fans knew he had that in him.
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It was one of two receptions Presley had for a meager 11 yards, but he also had one rush from the slot receiver position for 15 yards. His real highlight was a 38-yard kickoff return. Presley is a triple threat just like he was at Oklahoma State and check out the picture of him coming to the sidelines after his touchdown. Head coaches, even exuberant ones like the Rams’ Sean McVay don’t always get as excited for rookie free agents unless they think this guy is going to make my team and help us out.
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McVay congratulates Presley.
Oh yeah, the Rams beat Dallas 31-21.
One of the more anticipated debuts on Saturday night in the NFL preseason schedule was third-round draft pick and linebacker Nick Martin. Martin did not start, but he played in the first period and played a healthy chuck of the game. He flashed his speed on several plays but also showed his inexperience with the NFL game. You could see on several plays he was having to think especially in pass coverage.
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Martin on the chase against the Broncos.
Martin was aggressive and jumped in on several plays into the backfield just missing big plays. he finished with five tackles and two of those were unassisted. He will continue to play as he was praised on the sideline for what he has done in training camp by veteran 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
Mason Rudolph got the start in Jacksonville for his return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Aaron Rogers not playing, Rudolph got the starter’s treatment for the Steelers coming in and playing a limited time. He was 9-of-10 passing for 84-yards and one touchdown. Following Rudolph was former Kansas State quarterback Skyler Thompson and he was 20-of-28 for 233-yards and three touchdowns.
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Rudolph fired a touchdown at Jacksonville.
Former Cowboy and starting running back for the Steelers Jaylen Warren did not play in the game. Former Oklahoma State linebacker Devin Harper had four tackles for the Steelers and two were unassisted.
Other Cowboys in action in Saturday NFL preseason included Korie Black for the Giants and he did not register a tackle or any stats. Anthony Goodlow had two tackles for the Cardinals in a 20-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m guessing that Dalton Cooper got some offensive line work for the Chiefs. Also, Joe Michalski was active at center for the Denver Broncos.
The Cowboys other drafted rookie, linebacker Collin Oliver did not play in Green Bay’s loss to the New York Jets as he is out with a hamstring injury.
Sunday, running back Ollie Gordon II will make his rookie preseason debut for the Miami Dolphins against the Bears in Chicago.
The jaguars were bad on defense and needed more of new acquisition Emmanual Ogbah, who had four tackles and two solo. Former Oklahoma State defensive tackle Tyler Lacy in his second season had one tackle in the game.