PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Dillon Stoner could become more instrumental as an inside receiver in the Oklahoma State offense after teammate Jalen McCleskey, a senior, opted to transfer after four games and take advantage of the new NCAA redshirt rule. McCleskey’s departure lightens the depth the Cowboys have within a key position group. McCleskey ranks sixth all-time in receptions at Oklahoma State and played in 43 career games. Stoner had as many targets (22) as McCleskey through four games.
–WR Tylan Wallace, the Cowboys’ top go-to threat with 45 targets, obviously will need to step up even more following the loss of McCleskey. Wallace ranks second in the Big 12 with an average of 110.5 yards per game after snagging 26 receptions through the first four games and emerging as a breakout star as a freshman.
–PK Matt Ammendola is the Big 12 scoring leader with a 10.5-point average after connecting on 7-of-8 field goals and 21-of-22 extra points. His accuracy has continually soared after some trying moments last season. The longest make for the junior this season was from 48 yards.
–RB Justice Hill has been the primary threat in an Oklahoma State rushing attack that averages 224.8 yards, though coach Mike Gundy was critical of the run game in the Texas Tech loss. Hill got only 12 carries and responded with 111 yards. He ranks second among Big 12 rushers, though Oklahoma State has been more willing to also use backups J.D. King and Chuba Hubbard.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma State leads Kansas 36-29-3. The Cowboys have won 13 of the last 14 matchups, including the last eight, to gain a lead in the series that dates to the Big Eight. Oklahoma State scored on five consecutive first half possessions in a 58-17 rout last season, totaling 661 yards to just 241 for the Jayhawks.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s part of coaching. It’s what we do. If they were all 4.0 students and All-Americans then we wouldn’t have coaches. It’s not frustrating. We know what has to happen. We just try to continue to work to get a little better each day and they will. They will get better. We’ve got a couple guys, that for the most part, it’s new to them. Sometimes that shows up, but I think they will get better.” — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy.
