OSU injury update
By Scott Wright
OSU receivers coach Trooper Taylor said last night that Artrell Woods is back healthy, so expect to see No. 83 on the field this weekend. Woods probably could have played last week against Troy, but the need wasn’t there. Still, it will be good to see the kid back on the field. There’s no more inspiring story in college football today.
Mike Gundy continues to maintain that Brandon Pettigrew is “day-to-day.” We’ll see if that ankle heals up, but so far, he’s still limited in what he can do at practice.
Lastly — and maybe even more importantly — Jeray Chatham’s foot injury is still lingering. Tim Beckman said on Saturday that it’s “a week-to-week deal,” but the OSU defensive coordinator seemed to be looking for the right words to describe his status. You kind of got a feeling that this isn’t just some minor nagging injury. We’ll see how it progresses, but Gundy is keeping the clamps down on injury talk.
And yes, I think Chatham is more important to the Cowboys than Pettigrew. Sure, Pettigrew is an NFL tight end. But OSU has plenty of offensive weapons besides him and can still put up 500 yards a game with him on the sideline. What the Pokes don’t have is a lot of talented defensive linemen. Chatham is the best they’ve got and they need him on the field, especially Oct. 11 when they visit Missouri.
Who still has their View-Master?
By Scott Wright
Remember the View-Master? The plastic thing that looked like a giant pair of binoculars that you put a round photo slide in and could see a 3-D picture? Click the lever on the side and see another picture. Click, another picture. Click, another picture.
Mine was a Muppets View-Master. But Kermit never won the Heisman.
The Missouri Tigers are hoping it works out differently for Chase Daniel. This week, te university is sending out View-Masters to Heisman Trophy voters with photo slides of Daniel.
As far as creativity in the Heisman campaign goes, I’ll chalk up a victory for the Tigers.
No Pettigrew and other thoughts
Brandon Pettigrew isn’t playing on that bum ankle, relegated to spectator status.
On that topic, Boone Pickens Stadium is definitely more filled than it was against Houston. No attendance announcement yet, but it looks like it could be in the neighborhood of the record, 51,458.
Mike Gundy didn’t waste any time ending Dez Bryant’s catchless streak at one game. OSU’s first offensive play of the game was a pass to the sophomore standout. He has 48 yards on four catches so far. Meanwhile Kendall Hunter has 39 yards on the ground on nine carries. Each has a touchdown as the Cowboys lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Pettigrew in uniform
By Scott Wright
Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew is in uniform and went through pregame drills. But he did not appear to be moving at full speed.
If I had to guess at this time, I’d say he won’t be playing.
The word on Wall
ESPN.com wrote a profile about North Carolina prep point guard John Wall today, with a sidebar about possible college destinations (read it here). Wall talks about Baylor (where Dwon Clifton, the brother of his AAU coach was recently hired), Memphis, Kansas and NC State. Unless I’m missing something, there was no Oklahoma State reference.
Which, of course, isn’t exactly stunning. Shortly after Baylor hired Clifton this summer OSU signed point guard Ray Penn, a Texas guy whose stock skyrocketed over the summer. One would imagine OSU coaches promised Penn they wouldn’t recruit over him.
That said, someone close to Wall told me last week that while Wall seems to really, really like Memphis, he may still take an official visit to Stillwater.
by andrea cohen
What if Pettigrew can’t play?
By Scott Wright
What if Brandon Pettigrew can’t play Saturday against Troy? Should Oklahoma State fans be concerned? Should they be happy that he won’t get injured worse in a non-conference game that the Cowboys probably can win without him anyway?
Here’s my advice to the Poke faithful asking themselves these questions:
1. Yes, OSU can beat Troy without Brandon Pettigrew, though I can understand fans not wanting to chance it after last season’s debacle.
2. Don’t worry as much about Pettigrew’s absence in the passing game. That’s the quality most people think of when they hear Pettigrew’s name. Yes, he will be missed if he can’t play on that injured ankle, because at least a few times a game he will keep a safety in the middle of the field and away from Dez Bryant, allowing a one-on-one opportunity for Bryant. But Pettigrew hasn’t been a huge factor in the passing attack anyway.
3. Where Pettigrew will be missed the most is in the run game. OSU needs to control the ball against Troy and Pettigrew is a devastating blocker on the edge. The kid simply loves to block — almost as much as he loves scoring touchdowns. His size and athletic ability make him a key to OSU’s running success, and if he can’t play, that’s where he’ll be missed.
4. Don’t discount the abilities of Wilson Youman and Jamal Mosley. Youman will be the first choice as a blocker in the run game, but dont’ be surprised to see Mike Gundy try to get Mosley involved in the passing game. He looks bigger than his listed size of 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and he’s extremely athletic, with good hands. Good enough that Gundy has him as one of the middle men on kickoff returns. This is exactly the type of reason Gundy held Mosley out of redshirt.
On a final note — and I’m sorry, Tuttle Tiger fans — don’t expect Cooper Bassett to play. I suspect he’ll continue to redshirt. Walk-on Ben Bailey will be the No. 3 tight end if needed.
More animosity out of Troy
By Scott Wright
The Trojans aren’t holding back. This time it’s defensive end Brandon Lang, who will be starting in place of Kenny Mainor. Mainor suffered a torn ACL last week against Ohio State.
I’m not sure what to think about all this animosity. It could be a good thing for OSU if the Cowboys can keep their composure. The Troy players might be too hyped up on proving themselves to stay focused on football details.
Or they could be extremely motivated by it and play the game of their lives. I really don’t know how all this will impact the game.
Either way, I’m going to set the over/under for personal foul penalties Saturday at five. Which side do you like?
Walk-ons coming soon
From what I hear OSU coach Travis Ford is nearing a decision on his walk-ons, planning to whittle the list from five to three this week and involve them in practices. When they’re official we’ll be sure to introduce you.
-andrea cohen
suggested reading
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&page=dash0804&sportCat=ncf
-andrea cohen
