2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 10-4, Win vs. Texas A&M in Texas Bowl (31-23)

It was an up-and-down season for the Cowboys. They were run out by South Alabama, 33-7, in their third game but put together a stretch of six wins in seven games to end the year. Oklahoma State struggled to get stops, allowing 30 or more points in all four losses, and 40+ in two of them. The season ended with the team getting one final victory two days after Christmas in the Texas Bowl against the Aggies.

Offense: Doak Walker winner paces Cowboys

The center of the Oklahoma State offense is back for 2024. Ollie Gordon II won the Doak Walker award after totaling 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. He avoided the NFL and other NIL offers to remain in Stillwater. He was the nation’s leading rusher last season and will be a contender for the Heisman Trophy here.

Oklahoma State returns the nation’s best running back and a quarterback with the most experience in the nation. Alan Bowman returns for year seven after taking over under center last season. He was behind a questionable offensive line but that has also changed heading into this season. The Cowboys return an offensive line that we might never see again. It includes six redshirt super seniors and one redshirt senior. Dalton Cooper and Jake Springfield make up the tackles while Joe Michalski returns in the center position.

The returning talent continues on the outside with Brennan Presley and Rashod Owens, who were the leading receivers for the Cowboys. Presley led the way with 101 catches for 991 yards while Owens totaled 895 yards. The duo combined for 11 touchdowns.

Overall, Oklahoma State returns one of the most-experienced offensive groups in the nation.

Defense: Experience must lead to production 

Just like its offense, Oklahoma State returns a ton on defense. It will feature 10 starters from last season but this experience must lead to a step up in production if the team wants to compete.

We mentioned that last season, Oklahoma State allowed plenty of points in losses but the fact is, this was the same in wins as well. The Cowboys ranked 86th in the nation allowing 28.6 points per contest. Teams were able to get comfortable through the air and this led to explosive plays and points.

Nick Martin returns to be the leader of the defense once again after an All-Conference campaign with 140 tackles. Kendal Daniels and Trey Rucker also totaled 100+ tackles in the secondary. All three levels are expected to be strong for the Cowboys and this includes the defensive line.

Division II transfer Obi Ezeigbo is one of the most intriguing transfers in the conference. At Gannon University, Ezeigbo totaled 108 tackles and 14 sacks. It will be interesting to see the numbers he can put up in the Big 12. It is a major jump from Division II to the Big 12 but Ezeigbo has the potential to be a difference-maker.

The defense returns starting production but that exact production will have to take a step up if the team wants to compete. The pieces are there and it is all about putting it together.

2024 Oklahoma State Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. South Dakota State
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Arkansas
• Saturday, Sept. 14: at Tulsa
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Utah
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at Kansas State
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. West Virginia
• Friday, Oct. 18: at BYU
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at Baylor
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Arizona State
• Saturday, Nov. 9: at TCU
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Texas Tech
• Friday, Nov. 29: at Colorado