Football: Issues poking at Cowboys

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's plan to avoid distractions ahead of Saturday's 2:30 p.m. home game against No. 13 Georgia isn't working.

Gundy imposed a 12-day media blackout during fall camp, which was designed to keep the No. 9 Cowboys focused on football and not ABC-TV, preseason hype and the rededication of Boone Pickens Stadium.

But since the blackout:

Ÿ Starting cornerback Perrish Cox was arrested for speeding and driving on a suspended license. He is expected to play.

Ÿ Starting middle linebacker Orie Lemon suffered a potentially season-ending knee ligament injury in practice Monday, though OSU hasn't acknowledged it yet.

Ÿ Starting tight end Jamal Mosley quit the team Tuesday. Whether it was related or not, he left after it became public that a woman had filed a restraining order against him, which was dropped the next day.

Ÿ Starting quarterback Zac Robinson became the subject of such rampant Internet yakking about him possibly reinjuring his hamstring that newspapers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa wrote stories shooting down the misinformation.

Ÿ Then on Thursday, Gundy ruled against OSU and UGA players shaking hands before the game.

The American Football Coaches Association had requested that teams line up at midfield of the opening game for handshakes as a sign of sportsmanship.

Gundy said he feared emotions would be so high that a battle royal might start.

All of this has raised questions about Oklahoma State being overwhelmed by the preseason spotlight sizzling on potentially its best team ever.

Cornerback Terrance Anderson admitted there is heat from the light.

“The hype has been a little more than expected,'' he said. “We're actually getting known nationally for the first time, finally.

“We've been working up to it, so now it's just time to put the pads on and go out there and show everybody why we're ranked so high.''

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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