As I sat in the OSU stands with a close friend of mine watching this year’s bedlam game, I thought to myself, “what a hell of a year”. Even though that particular beldam game did not turn out the way I would have hoped for in my wildest dreams, I still felt a subtle happiness. This year for Oklahoma State football fans was nothing but a success. I know there are many fans that would argue that since we lost to OU and did not advance to the Big 12 south title game, the season was a failure at best. I’d have to disagree. OSU fans have not seen a 10 win regular season since 1988. Five straight honorable bowls for the Oklahoma State Cowboys was a thought of the past.
This year many obstacles and stigmas were put to rest for good. I could tell you many stories watching from Boone Pickens stadium about gaining huge leads to witness a cowboy team lose in a disgusting fashion, the Texas Long Horns most notably. Also, I’ve seen an OSU team take a ranked Texas A&M team into overtime just to lose on a blocked extra point. How about every single year for the last decade knowing when the Cowboys play Texas Tech the home team was destined to win? These stigmas and many others were taken care of this year by Coach Mike Gundy, his staff and most especially his players.
Brandon Weeden, Kendal Hunter, Justin Blackman……maybe the best triple threat ever at Oklahoma State? That is an argument that will go on for the rest time. Watching Brandon Weeden, an ex Yankee pitcher, become a unanimous all Big 12 quarter back is a success in itself. Justin Blackman was named the AP all Big 12 offensive player of the the year, again a success. Don’t forget about Kendall Hunter, being hurt all of last year, still managed to lead the Big 12 in rushing for two separate years. His career at OSU was a complete success.
I know OSU did not make it to the last Big 12 title game, we did however, tie for first in the south. Yea, say what you will but I’ll take it just for recruiting purposes. This was a spectacular year that will never be repeated with all the offensive and late season defensive plays. It is hard to imagine we will again witness a QB throw for over 4,000 yards, a RB rush for over 1,500 yards, and a WR have over 1,500 yards receiving. It was a great season that every OSU fan should be very proud of. If you ask me, this season was a complete success. The Oklahoma State football program is on a steady rise and better not be overlooked in next year’s new conference.
