2001 OSU Season

Pokes Ready to Start New

Era Against Eagles

August 30, 2001

By Justin Waganer

Senior Sports Writer

On September 23, 2000 I sat watching the Oklahoma State Cowboys lose a game with the most excruciatingly boring offense ever. No imagination, no urgency, no real desire to win. It seemed to be more of a, "lets keep it safe," mentality than a, "win at all costs," mentality. Up the middle followed by up the middle followed by five-yard out. Three and out, lets take it to the sideline and let the defense keep it close. Southern Mississippi finished the night on the way back to Hattiesburg with a 28-6 victory.

Now, the offense returns. The Les Miles offense at Oklahoma State was fun. It was enjoyable to watch, but most importantly, it was effective. The offense after he left was boring and terrible to watch. Most importantly to Bob Simmons job status, it was not effective. Now, Les returns with another young quarterback ready to take the reigns of Miles' high-flying offense.

The Pokes will be showing off their new uniforms, new coaches, and newfound enthusiasm in front of the entire nation at 11 a.m. on ESPN against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles this Saturday, September 1st. When the Cowboys step on the field in Hattiesburg on Saturday it will be different than in 2000, it will be competitive, and make no mistake, Oklahoma State could win.

With a creative offense the Cowboys have a chance to close the gap that glared in the loss a year ago. When it comes to talent, the Pokes didn't appear to be too far off. It was the drive that seemed to be missing, that seems to have returned.

"There has been a lot of hard work and discipline. The emphasis has been on having fun, and showing enthusiasm is one of the most important things that Coach Miles has brought to us all," remarked Terrence Robinson at Tuesday's press luncheon.

Having fun and enthusiasm is what they seemed to lack the past few years. Too much controversy, too many injuries, too many excuses, and too many mistakes. Now, it's time to have fun again, behind the leadership of Aso Pogi.

"He has always been a student of the game and is really a good leader. We want to make sure that in this game, we ask him to do things that he will be comfortable with and not try to stretch him too much, especially early in the game," said Les Miles on Monday.

Terrence Robinson believes the confidence is back and the family feel of the team is back. Now all they need is the wins to make it all come together.

"There is no doubt about it that a win can set the tone for this team. It would help for us because it is way to celebrate these hard practices. It is more like the self-confidence the different players have. If someone got beat they used to hang their head, but now they come back with their head high. Everybody here is like that. We are like a family."

Miles brought back the confidence and the enthusiasm, now he has to bring back the wins. Team leader Dwayne Levels knows this,

"It's important that we get off to a good start. We have to use this game as somewhat of a measuring stick of how far we've come and how far we have to go. We have to go out there and play our hearts out and give 100 percent, knowing that we will come out on top if we do that."

OSU Depth Chart

OFFENSE

OFFENSIVE LINE

LT 65 Kyle Eaton (6-8, 290, Jr.) 73 Doug Koenig (6-4, 285, So.)

LG 64 Jeff Machado (6-4, 320, Sr.) 71 Dustin Vanderhoof (6-4, 305, Jr.)

C 62 Jon Vandrell (6-1, 280, Sr.) 56 Ben Buie (6-2, 315, RS Fr.)

RG 66 Bryan Phillips (6-4, 310, Sr.) 68 Jason Johnson (6-2, 280, Sr.)

RT 52 Jason Russell (6-5, 295, Jr.) 76 Sam Mayes (6-4, 330, RS Fr.)

RECEIVERS

Z 88 Willie Young (6-2, 225, Jr.) 6 John Lewis (6-0, 185, Jr.)

X 82 Rashaun Woods (6-2, 195, So.) 17 Terrance Davis-Bryant (5-9, 185, Jr.)

TE 80 Mark Milosevich (6-4, 250, RS Fr.) 87 Tarrick McGuire (6-3, 255, Sr.)