2018 Pigskin Preview Volume III

A Special Publication from The Shawnee News-Star

PREVIEW

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Volume III

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2 • Friday, August 24, 2018

2018 PIGSKIN - VOLUME III

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BISON FOOTBALL UNIFYING FOR 2018 SEASON The success of Oklahoma Baptist's 2018 football team depends on how well it fuses its dichotomy of experience into a cohesive, like-minded unit.

While the offense has a seasoned group of returning starters in every position group, the defense has only a few veterans and must continue the strong pace it has been on since the team opened camp.

While the team has well-defined goals, those were set by the players and will be played close to the vest and tracked by the entire team.

"Individually you always want to improve from year to year to feel like you're making progress," said Head Coach Chris Jensen.

"The team goals, I've always dictated what that would be and this year I thought it would be better to put that in the players' hands. We are keeping that internal. But they can track what behaviors could be associated with those goals. Those guys came up with goals that show that those guys that they are all in and they know what it takes to be successful. We obviously focus on our guys being the best at what they do."

While it may not be an "us-against-the-world" approach, excuse the Bison if they believe their goals will disprove the naysayers.

The Bison offense has the weaponry to be a force in the Great American Conference. Returning redshirt-sophomore quarterback Preston Haire caught the attention of the league last season but he's not the only workhorse on the farm.

Haire, as a freshman, averaged 216.4 yards per game despite not starting in the first half of the season. He tossed 19 touchdown passes and completed 56.6 percent of his throws.

"What a great person and leader Preston is," Jensen said. "He extremely gifted as a quarterback and an athlete. We're grateful he has so much in front of him left in a green uniform."

Returning for the receiving corps are All-Conference Cagney Roberson (44 receptions, 719 yards, 7TD) and Josh

Pettijohn (31 catches, 355 yards). Also back are 2017 top eight targets Nick Hinkley, Noah McGraw and Emmanuel Adesokan along with Isaiah Mallory out of the backfield.

"We lost some guys with significant playing time at wide receiver and we thought we had played our last year with Josh Pettijohn but thankfully he decided to come back," Jensen said. "Josh is a big time receiver for us. Jacques Henderson is back after being injured most of last year but he's back healthy again. Cagney Roberson is in his senior year and I think he has hit his stride based on what I've seen in practice so far. We've also got Emmanuel Adesokan, Noah McGraw and Nick Hinkley and we've got some freshman guys who I think have a chance to push in that group."

Mallory, an All-Conference running back, carried for 803 yards in nine games last season and will make defenses respect the running game. Positive competition at H-back between Reece Gilbert and Seth Glasscock has a new entrant early this season.

"Isaiah is definitely full speed and looks like he hasn't missed a beat since last year," said Jensen. "Reece Gil-

bert and Seth Glasscock have been solid performers but Seth Juby has been a big surprise this far and is able to push for time."

Of course, opening holes and closing down pass rushes is the job of the most veteran group on the team – the offensive line.

Zach Blevins (6-3, 285) moves to center and is flanked by returning guards John Calhoun (5-11, 280) and Creede Wright (6-1, 297). The tackles look to be Brian Cornell (63, 270) and Jake Foshee (6-3, 289).

"All of those guys have starting experience and significant playing experience except for Jake Foshsee, who we have penciled in at left tackle. Zach Blevins moved to center and is having a good preseason. John Calhoun and Wright will be at guard and Brian Cornell probably most experience of all those guys," Jensen said.

Depth, a negative factor of the past, isn't likely to hurt this season.

UNIFYING continued on page 3

2018 PIGSKIN - VOLUME III

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UNIFYING continued "We have got some young guys who have a chance to step in there and provide great depth – probably the biggest surprise is a couple of our offensive linemen who are undersized have performed well. There's a great battle on that offensive line to get spots on the bus for that first trip to East Central," Jensen said.

Despite weeks of figuring out its quarterback situation, the Bison averaged 22.5 points last season. They were undone, however, by 40.7 points allowed.

OBU won't be focusing on the negative defensive stats from last year, but using that as a motivation.

"You're always worried about the experience factor," Jensen said. "You can try to simulate things in practice but you can't do it justice. We're very young up front. We've got very few guys with significant game experience.

We're going to probably depend on some young guys to step up there in the two deep and be solid contributors."

Demarco Shoat started five games last season and finished with 18 tackles

Returning at linebacker are Josh Arnold and Lane Martin.

Arnold started all 11 games last season and led the team with 86 tackles. Martin started the last two games of the season and had 13 of his 25 tackles in those two contests.

"We're glad to have Josh Arnold and Lane Martin returning at linebacker," Jensen said.

Safety Myles Russell leads the secondary. He registered five tackles for loss, logged 70 tackles and broke up four passes last season.

He's joined by returning players Landon Rowlett (53 tackles), Matthew Tigert (46 tackles), Jay Jordan (three break-ups) and KeLandus Culton (four passes defended).

"Myles Russell is returning it's a big deal for us," said Jensen. "Landon Rowlett and Matthew Tigert played quite a bit in the back end. We've got Jay Jordan and KeLandus Culton back at the corners, along with some young guys."

The kicking game has kicker Luke Wendl (four field goals, long of 47, and punter Hayden Ashley returning as starters and while they produced well, there may be some healthy competition looming.

"There's a pretty good battle going there," Jensen said.

"Hayden Ashley was a pretty good punter last year and his leg appears to be even stronger this year. Luke Wendl is back. Connor Watts, who really worked hard last year and took advantage of his red-shirt year, has a chance to push Hayden and Luke. He can boom it. He needs to be more consistent, but when he hits it; it goes. We've got some younger guys pushing as well."

BISON TAGGED 11TH IN GAC POLL Oklahoma Baptist opens the season Aug. 28 as the No. 11 team in its league, according to a vote of Great American Conference coaches.

OBU tied East Central for 11th in the poll.

Harding is the preseason favorite with 118 points and eight of 12 first-place votes.

Coaches ranked the teams in the league 1-11 and were not permitted to list their own teams.

Ouachita Baptist was second in the poll with two first-place votes and 111 points.

Southern Arkansas had one top vote and is third at 91 points. Southeastern Okla-

Friday, August 24, 2018 • 3

homa State, the top Oklahoma entrant in the rankings, got the remaining first-place vote and is tied for fourth with Arkansas Tech at 86 points.

Henderson State finished with 81 points, followed by Arkansas-Monticello at 58, Northwestern Oklahoma State at 55, Southern Nazarene at 30, Southwestern Oklahoma at 28 and the Bison and East Central at 24 apiece.

OBU and East Central meet in the season opener in Ada at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28. The Bison open the home portion of the season at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, against Southeastern Oklahoma State.

OBU also has added four new assistant coaches to join offensive coordinator Grant Gower, defensive coordinator Brandon Morris, offensive line coach Greg Gothard and tight ends coach Alec Petrocelli. Added to the staff since last fall are cornerbacks coach Gabe Lynn, wide receivers coach Marcus Herford, defensive line coach Casey Walker and running backs coach Gary Frazier.

"They've all stepped in and done a phenomenal job," Jensen said. "Coach Herford has the experience to take that wide receiver group to another level. We've got to increase our expectation of that group. Coach Herford has taken the challenge of stretching those guys a little more.

"Coach Frazier is a high energy individual and a great ambassador in the community for our football team.

Coach Walker with the defensive line has been really good at getting results. We have had so much progress in getting off the ball and exploding and playing fast and he's only had a week with them. Coach Lynn, who we were blessed to have in the spring, brings a great deal of knowledge and even though he's been at the highest level, there's not a job he's not willing to do. He's a great individual."

The Bison put their singleness of mind to the test for the first time as a unit this season with a Thursday night game, Aug. 30, at East Central.

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4 • Friday, August 24, 2018

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HERFORD, WALKER JOIN BISON FOOTBALL STAFF Oklahoma Baptist added two coaches to its football staff, it was announced Friday, with one more expected in a few days.

The new coaches are former Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year Marcus Herford and Super Bowl champion Casey Walker.

Herford joins the OBU staff as the wide receivers coach, moving from Italy, where he was offensive coordinator of the Milan Seaman.

An Academic All-Big 12 selection at Kansas, where he was 2007 Special Teams Player of the Year, Herford was a 2008 preseason All-American after being a first-team All-Big 12 kick returner for the Orange Bowl champion Jayhawks. He finished his college career as the No. 1 kick returner in terms of return yards, total returns and return average at KU.

He also coached in Germany, where he was head coach and offensive coordinator of the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes.

Herford's college coaching experience includes stops at

Have A Great Season

Kentucky Wesleyan as co-offensive coordinator, Oklahoma Panhandle State as special teams and recruiting coordinator, and graduate assistant and wide receivers coach at Valdosta State.

Herford has led young adult ministries in Kansas and

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Walker, a member of the Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots, joins the OBU staff as defensive line coach after a year of coaching at Garden City Community College and Central Oklahoma.

Prior to coaching, Walker spent 2013 through 2016 in the NFL as a defensive tackle with the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, New England and Carolina Panthers.

He also volunteered in spring ball in 2017 at the University of Oklahoma, where he played and was a preseason second-team All-Big 12 selection and a member of the President's Honor Roll.

Walker holds a bachelor's degree from OU and a master's of education degree from Central Oklahoma.

He has been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Black Student Association, Freshman Action Team and the Bridge Builders Athletic Society.

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Friday, August 24, 2018 • 5

BISON FOOTBALL TO HOST FAN DAY AUG. 25 The Oklahoma Baptist football team will host Bison Football Fan Day, Saturday, Aug. 25, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Crain Family Stadium at the Hurt Complex.

This is a family-friendly event for fans of all ages. Admission is free, and fans will be able to interact with OBU players and coaches, have their exclusive 2018 poster signed by the football team, take photos with OBU cheerleaders and Shaz the Bison, and participate in a number of giveaways throughout the event. The Kids Zone also returns with fun inflatable games for younger Bison fans.

Prior to this year's event, the Bison football team will also be holding a free kids skills camp from 4 - 5:30 p.m. on the football field. The skills camp is for children ages 1st grade to 6th grade. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with coaches and players as they run drills like their favorite Bison student-athletes.

Registration forms can be downloaded at the link below. Completed forms can be sent to OBU Athletics Marketing via email at deonne.moore@ okbu.edu, or faxed to 405.585.5308. For more information concerning the Future Bison Skills Camp or Fan Day, please call 405.585.5302.

OBU SCHEDULE Aug. 30 .... at East Central University - 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 ..... Southeastern Oklahoma State University - 1 p.m.

Sept. 15 ... Arkansas Tech University - 1 p.m.

Sept. 22 ... at Harding University - 6 p.m.

Sept. 29 ... at Henderson State University - 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 .... Ouachita Baptist University - 1 p.m.

Oct. 20 .... at University of Arkansas at Monticello - 3 p.m.

Oct. 27 .... at Southwestern Oklahoma State University - 2 p.m.

Nov. 3 ..... Northwestern Oklahoma State University - 2 p.m.

Nov. 10 ... Southern Nazarene University - 1 p.m.

Good Luck! Have a Great Season!

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6 • Friday, August 24, 2018

CREED

HUMPHREY

#56 Offensive Line HEIGHT: 6'5" WEIGHT: 325 YEAR: Redshirt Freshman HOMETOWN: Shawnee, Okla.

HIGH SCHOOL: Shawnee HS

BIO 2017

Redshirted

HIGH SCHOOL

Rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and Scout and a three-star recruit

by ESPN and Rivals ... ranked as the No. 294 player in the country by Scout and No. 317 by 247Sports ... touted as the third-best center in the country by 247Sports, ESPN and Scout and fourth-best by Rivals ... third-ranked player in the state of Oklahoma according to 247Sports, No. 7 according to ESPN and No. 10 according to Rivals ... U.S. Army All-American ... invited to the finals of The Opening ... made 35 tackles and one sack as a defensive lineman his senior season ... named first-team all-state by The Oklahoman ... chose Oklahoma over Alabama, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, among others.

PERSONAL

Enrolled at OU in January 2017 ... major is finance.

Which newcomers on the offensive line have stood out to you throughout spring and the beginning of fall camp?

“You've got guys like Tyrese Robinson, Creed (Humphrey), Marquis Hayes, all of them.

We have a bunch of new guys coming in, and we expect a lot out of them, too. You have to come out here and work. This is not a game, we have business to handle.”

Courtesy of SoonerSports.com

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8 • Friday, August 24, 2018

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AP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: TIDE, TIGERS, HUSKIES AND WOLVERINES

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer

The College Football Playoff has yet to produce a real surprise team.

In four seasons, nine schools have reached the semifinals — and even the teams that came from outside the AP preseason Top 25 were traditional powers.

The lowest-ranked team in the preseason media poll to make the CFP was Oklahoma in 2015. The Sooners were 19th to start the season, mostly because they were coming off a disappointing season (8-5) and few knew how good Baker Mayfield would be.

Clemson made the playoff that same year after starting the season ranked No. 12.

The Tigers went 10-3 the season before, but Deshaun Watson was a sophomore

coming off a knee injury, there was major turnover on defense and exactly what Dabo Swinney was building at Clemson had not yet been fully revealed.

for a brand-name team ranked somewhere in the teens of the preseason poll. Maybe one with a talented quarterback who still has some uncertainty attached to him.

Washington was No. 14 going into the 2016 season before going on a playoff run. The Huskies were also coming off mediocre season (7-6), but there was definitely a sense Chris Petersen's team was ready to take a significant step forward in year two of his tenure. Turns out it was even bigger than expected.

And with that, predictions for the 2018 college football season:

Last year, Georgia went from No. 15 to the CFP. The Bulldogs were 8-5 the season before, Kirby Smart's first in Athens.

The Bulldogs had an experienced team in '17 that was favored to win the SEC East, and ended up being the second-best team in the country.

Three teams not in the AP preseason poll that will finish the season ranked: Boston College, Memphis, Utah.

So what does this small sample tell us? If you want to pick a playoff dark horse, look

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TOP 25 Three teams in the AP preseason poll that will not finish the season ranked: No. 16 TCU, No. 20 Virginia Tech, No. 25 LSU.

CONFERENCE WINNERS — American Athletic Conference: Memphis (West) over Temple (East). The last two teams to win the American lost their coaches soon after. So where's Mike Nor-

vell going?

— Atlantic Coast Conference: Clemson (Atlantic) over Miami (Coastal). The Tigers are stacked and freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence could give the offense an explosiveness it was missing last year.

— Big Ten: Michigan (East) over Wisconsin (West). Jim Harbaugh finally quiets his critics.

— Big 12: Oklahoma (No. 1) over (West Virginia No. 2). The Big 12 is the most likely Power Five conference to provide an unexpected champion. There is little separation among the top six or seven teams but when in doubt, pick the Sooners.

— Conference USA: Florida Atlantic (East) over Louisiana Tech (West). Lane Kiffin brings a second straight C-USA title to FAU. — Mid-American Conference: Ohio (East)

Margaret and Terry would like to remind you to th

Vote on August 28

2018 PIGSKIN - VOLUME III

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star over Northern Illinois (West). Ohio wins its first MAC title since 1968.

— Mountain West: Boise State (Mountain) over San Diego State (West). Could be the Broncos best post-Chris Petersen team.

5. A.J. Dillon, RB, Boston College.

seasons meeting in the playoff. The Tigers even the series at two and win another national title. ___

COACHING CAROUSEL

— Pac-12: Washington (North) over Utah (South). The Huskies win their second Pac-12 title in three seasons, but the opener against Auburn could determine playoff hopes.

There seems to be no such thing as a slow season when it comes to coaching moves. Almost inevitably a few jobs that seemed safe in September open up by December.

Florida, for example, just last year. What job will unexpectedly open this season? How about Oklahoma, when Jerry Jones decides to hire another Sooners coach and brings Lincoln Riley to the Cowboys.

— Southeastern Conference: Alabama (West) over Georgia (East). This time only the SEC champion makes the playoff.

NEW YEAR'S SIX/COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

— Sun Belt: Arkansas State (West) over Troy (East). Red Wolves win the first Sun Belt championship game.

Cotton Bowl: Alabama (1) vs. Washington (4).

HEISMAN TROPHY

Sugar Bowl: Georgia (SEC) vs. Oklahoma (Big 12)

The favorites are running backs Bryce Love of Stanford and Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin, but the Heisman has become a quarterback's award. Fifteen of the last 18 winners have been QBs. Feels like a season where a not-so-obvious player makes a run. Top five vote-getters: 1. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

Friday, August 24, 2018 • 9

Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://www.podcastone.com/AP-Top-25-College-FootballPodcast ___ More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Orange Bowl: Michigan (2) vs. Clemson (3).

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin (Big Ten) vs Oregon (Pac-12) Fiesta Bowl: Boise State (Group of Five) vs.

Ohio State (at-large)

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin.

Peach Bowl: West Virginia (at-large) vs. Miami (at-large)

3. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

4. Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan.

Clemson and Alabama make it four straight

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Gundy, Cowboys Meet With Media STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team practiced Sunday afternoon in its final workout before classes begin Monday morning. Coach Gundy and several Cowboy players met with media at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center following the two-hour practice: Some of their comments:

Mike Gundy

Opening statement: "We had another good practice. We had a scrimmage yesterday, got a lot of work done, about 108, 110 plays or so. The players are kind of starting to grasp it.

They are getting a little tired of banging on each other, hitting each other. Looking forward to school starting and getting into that routine next week. We had a great workout today and players are going to eat dinner and head up to the (Cowgirl) soccer game. Tonight we aren't going to have anything, we'd let them go up and support the girls and open up the new stadium. We are excited about that, it will be a nice break for the players to go watch the (Cowgirls) play tonight."

On the start of the school semester: "It's a routine, they are all creatures of habit. They get into a pattern of breakfast, class, lifting, studying, meetings and practice. It's good to get into that routine.

It's a little easier when you don't have a game the first week. It works out well this year. It worked out nice this year that we can get into that routine and then play the next week."

On things that need to be worked on: "We were much better in misassignments and we had fewer penalties, which is good. We got a lot of work in special teams, which I liked. I think both sides of the ball are getting it but we still have work. We got a couple of positions where we have young players that are going to be competing at a high level for the first time, so they need some work, but we got ways to go; 10, 12 days to go."

On the growth of younger players: "I know that we aren't going to play many freshmen. We don't really need to. So we haven't decided that for sure. There are not just many places where we have freshmen on the two-deep, so for that reason, you don't really see a lot at this point. You generally will have a safety or a corner that will play as a freshman, because they can also help on special teams like Malcolm (Rodriguez) did last year. I would say those guys are the leading candidates but we just haven't said for sure who that

is going to be at this time."

On the quarterbacks: "They are doing good. They are all playing good. They know the system. It still amazes me that Dru Brown and Spencer Sanders can absorb and be as productive as they can, having only been here for 15 days. Taylor Cornelius is doing fine, so they are doing well."

Quarterback Taylor Cornelius

On playing on a Thursday night: "We've done it in years past. Coach Gundy does a great job of getting us prepared for any game."

On the first game being a night game: "That's what you always dream of, playing under the lights."

On potentially starting a college game for the first time: "It's never happened before for me, so we'll see how it is. I believe I'm ready for it."

On preparing for the game: "The coaches do a great job of preparing us for any situation possible. Practices are always up-tempo and loud music is going.

The defense is always firing on all cylinders too."

On the Cowboy Culture: "It's something Coach Gundy has been preaching to us for a while now. The core values are focus, effort, toughness and leadership. They set the tone for how to play and how to work."

On his favorite school subject: "Sports management. I want to give a shout out to Dr. Finch. I really enjoyed those classes."

Safety Kenneth Edison-McGruder On what people should expect from the defense in the first game: "It's going to be a shocker to a lot of people. They know Coach Knowles' concept, but they don't have any film of our defense running it. We'll be solid in the first game. I feel comfortable with the defense and I feel comfortable with everyone else right now."

On the secondary: "We have some of the best corners in the league. I strongly trust in them. On the defense, they don't have to be on an island all the time. They flow with the defense. They help the defense be what it needs to be."

COWBOYS continued on page 14

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COWBOYS continued On changes in himself from last year to this year: "I've grown a lot mentally. I'm trying to become a lot more mentally prepared and mentally understand the game more. I want to take advantage of being here and having this opportunity to play."

On the biggest piece of advice he uses: "Be the leader you want to be led by."

On the quarterback battle and practicing against them: "It's a great competition. It gives us a challenge and we give them a challenge.

It's good to be out there working against those guys."

Defensive Tackle Enoch Smith, Jr. On playing on a Thursday night: "I enjoy it. You're able to experience the college life in a way. You get to enjoy the rest of the games in the week that you may not get to do on another week.

You're spending time in the hotel and getting ready on a Saturday. Being able to play on a Thursday evening and having the whole school there, I feel like it's a plus. I think it's going to be exciting for everybody."

On classes starting again: "I am very excited for classes to start. I graduate in December. I'm looking forward to that and then being able to start games and hitting someone other than my teammates."

On his favorite subject: "Math. I've always been a fan of math. I love math. I've been big on math since I was young. Math is my thing."

On the Cowboy Culture: "The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the Cowboy Culture is family. When I came here last year, I didn't have anybody. It was just me. My family dropped me off from Chicago. Then it was me against the world. I was able to build relationships here that I feel like will last a lifetime. I'm extremely grateful for that.

Anytime I think about the Cowboy Culture, I think of family and being respectful to the people near you - whether they're respectful to you or not."

Wide Receiver Jalen McCleskey

On facing Missouri State in less than two weeks: "We are putting in the game plan over fall camp. We have been working on our base

Good Luck to all area teams!

stuff so the new guys and the freshmen can get into the groove of things. Now that fall camp is over, we are going to start looking into Missouri State more. We already started putting in the game plan, so we will watch more film and the coaches will get together and put together what will get us the win."

On how the team has grown over fall camp: "I feel like we have grown a lot. We are way better than we were August 1, the first day of fall camp. Each day everyone got better and better, the younger guys especially, but I feel like we have come a long way."

On McCleskey's mindset going into his senior season: "Help out the younger guys. I know how I was when I was a freshman. Everything was so new to me, so helping them out when they have questions and, overall, enjoying every day with my team. This is the last time this team will be together this upcoming season, so just enjoying every day."

Wide Receiver Dillon Stoner

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the last two years, even when I was not living with him. So I was always over there hanging with him, James (Washington) and Cole (Walterscheid). So nothing new, just around them a lot more."

On Cornelius away from football: "It takes a while for him to open up to you, but once he does he's a great guy and will for do anything for you and is just fun to hang out with all the time."

On Cornelius potentially playing a bigger role: "I'm really excited. He has been ready to go even behind Mason for four years. He has been throwing it real well all camp, so I am excited to see what he does this season."

----The Cowboys open the 2018 season Thursday, Aug. 30, when they host Missouri State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on FS1.

Season tickets and single game tickets are available at www.okstate.com/tickets or by calling the OSU ticket office at 877-ALL4-OSU.

On living with Taylor Cornelius: "I have gotten to know him very well over

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