Former Cowboys Have Better Opening Than Oklahoma State on Saturday
STILLWATER – While it was a frustrating and rough beginning for Eric Morris and the new version of Oklahoma State football, some of the players from the old version kicked off some winning rust and performed big.
One former Cowboy still experienced the frustration of losing, but while playing for a different Big 12 team, Gavin Freeman made a national splash on ABC while the Cowboys were playing at the same time.
Freeman transferred to Baylor after initially considering staying at Oklahoma State and then considering another school before landing in Waco out of the transfer portal. Teaming with former Florida quarterback D.J. Lagway, Freeman caught 12 passes on national television for 154 yards. The Lagway to Freeman hook up for 28 yards set up a five-yard touchdown pass to get Baylor within a point. Bears coach Dave Aranda chose to go for two points and the win and Lagway hit tight end Matt Flopfenstein, who was tackled at the goal line. Baylor lost 17-16 to Auburn and their new coach and former OSU grad assistant Alex Golesh.
Up in Manhattan, Kansas in what amounted to a scrimmage, Kansas State hammered Nicholls (La.) 71-3. Former OSU running back Rodney Fields Jr., cousin of Cowboys starting corner LaDainian Fields, ran for 101 yards on 14 carries. He scored a 26-yard touchdown and averaged 7.2 yards per carry in the game.
It was the debut for new K-State coach Collin Klein. Another former Cowboy, edge rusher Wendell Gregory had two tackles, one unassisted, and a half-tackle for loss. Linebacker Jacobi Oliphant Jr. had a tackle for loss and a pass break up.
Then in Colorado, former OSU quarterback Hauss Henjy, who played a little over a quarter last season before an injury ended his Cowboy career had a big day with Colorado State beating Wyoming 35-13. Hejny threw for five touchdowns (6, 3, 57, 24, and 4 yards). Hejny racked up numbers completing 23-of-33 passing for 214 yards. He also rushed for 39 yards on seven carries.
Oklahoma State only had to look across the line of scrimmage and see former defensive end Kyran Duhon. Duhon was a transfer who Tulsa coach Tre Lamb had bragged about. He helped the Golden Hurricane cause with six tackles, three unassisted on the day as Tulsa beat the Cowboys 24-10.
