Bounce-back starts with Gundy
Unfamiliar territory
Football is still always on Mike Gundy’s mind — maybe an unhealthy amount of time. Gundy, the 58-year-old Oklahoma State football coach entering his 21st season, insists his energy level is as high as it’s ever been. He’s still chasing wins and is still attached to the sport he’s been involved with most of his life.
“I still wake up in the middle of the night, and football is on my mind,” Gundy said in January. “Unfortunately at my age, when I have to get up and go to the bathroom, when I’m walking toward the bathroom and walking back from the bathroom, football is on my mind.”
That Gundy — who says he’s still football crazy — is who the Cowboys are counting on most for a turnaround in the 2025 season.
This time a year ago, expectations for OSU were sky high. They returned a bevy of offensive and defensive production. They were coming off a Big 12 Championship game appearance. They had superstar running back Ollie Gordon II. Why not the Cowboys as a potential College Football Playoff team?
But thanks to injuries, poor quarterback play and several inconsistencies on both sides of the football, OSU’s season came crashing down. The Cowboys finished 3-9 overall — the worst under Gundy — and went winless in conference play. Several changes followed.
Now it’s up to Gundy and this Cowboys team to return to winning form. A new staff. A new roster. A new identity. Almost everything is new in Stillwater, except for the head man. In six days, OSU will chase the bounce-back it badly needs.
“The season we had last year is not going to sit well with me,” Gundy said. “That’s just not going to be good.”
At OSU’s Aug. 2 football media day, Gundy was asked who his best players are.
His answer was quick, but short.
“Don’t know.”
The Cowboys have a lot of figuring out to do. Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores, the two players battling for the quarterback job, have never thrown a pass in college. The wide receiver room is almost brand new. So is the offensive line and rushing attack.
Defensively, the Cowboys’ secondary is experienced but put together with players who transferred in from different programs across the country. Their top linebacker and edge rusher from the previous two seasons — Nick Martin and Colin Oliver — went to the NFL.
This level of roster uncertainty is uncommon for a Gundycoached team. During the past 20 seasons, the Cowboys became known for developing overlooked talent. Now it’s about asking new faces to have an immediate impact.
That doesn’t phase Gundy, though. Getting a fresh look has been “energizing,” he said.
“I’m not concerned,” Gundy said. “There’s a bunch of guys who could run around out there and make plays. The talent level is fine. The uncertainty is just going into work in the morning and not knowing what’s going to happen.”
New faces also arrived on OSU’s staff. After finishing 3-9, Gundy let go of coordinators Bryan Nardo (defense) and Kasey Dunn (offense) in December.
Now it’s Todd Grantham calling the Cowboys’ defense and Doug Meacham leading OSU’s offense. Grantham has 35 years of coaching experience and Meacham has been an OC at multiple Power Four schools.
Firing Dunn — who spent 14 seasons at OSU — and Nardo
showed that the Cowboys needed change. Gundy hasn’t gone down that route often, but 2024 was too poor of a showing. OSU needed a reset.
“This was the most difficult December in my career because I don’t like letting people go,” Gundy said in January. “I don’t like affecting people’s families, kids (and) lifestyle. I just don’t like that. But in my situation, tough decisions have to be made.”
Confidence
When Shamar Rigby entered the transfer portal, several Power Four schools were interested in his services.
But the former Purdue wide receiver picked OSU and is confident the program is still headed in the right direction even after last season. He didn’t want to overlook the Cowboys’ recent history.
“They’ve been winning for years,” Rigby said. “One year doesn’t define anybody.”
A belief similar to Rigby’s runs throughout OSU.
Under Gundy, the Cowboys put together an 18-year bowl game streak from 2006-24 and have reached 10 wins eight times. OSU has also made five New Year’s Six bowl games and won a Big 12 title.
Although the Cowboys had to go back to the drawing board after the 2024 season, they’re confident in a turnaround this season and aren’t looking past what Gundy has done during his time coaching his alma mater.
“(Gundy) didn’t forget everything he knows overnight,” OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said in January. “There was just a lot of confidence there in that he knows this place better than anybody. He’s been here. He’s played here. He’s coached here for a long time. He’s loyal. He loves this place.”
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Jose Brito
OSU football coach Mike Gundy said “this was the most difficult December” in his career after the Cowboys struggled in 2024.
What to know about OSU’s Week 1 opponent UT Martin
Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER
Football season at Boone Pickens Stadium is less than a week away.
The Cowboys finished fall camp last Saturday and are approaching their 2025 season opener on Thursday against UT Martin.
On most occasions, OSU usually kicks off its season against a lowertier opponent. This season, that opponent will be the UT Martin Skyhawks.
EA Sports isn’t expecting improvement from Oklahoma State football this season.
I simulated the Cowboys’ season on the College Football 26 video game, and it predicted another disappointing outing for OSU. You shouldn’t believe everything a video game predicts, but nonetheless it’s a fun and easy way to simulate a season.
I used 12-minute quarters and Heisman difficulty. EA has Zane Flores as QB1 on the Cowboys’ depth chart, so he started all 12 games for OSU in this simulation.
Here are the results.
Vs. FCS Southeast
OSU’s season-opening opponent UT Martin isn’t in the video game, so EA used a mock team called FCS Southeast as a placeholder. In this game, the Cowboys won 45-16 behind Flores’ 264 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Freddie Brock IV also scored a touchdown and linebacker Bryan McCoy led OSU with 11 solo tackles. The Cowboys dominated at home to open their season.
At Oregon
Having to play the reigning Big Ten champion Oregon Ducks on the road didn’t go well for OSU. The Cowboys suffered a 52-0 loss and didn’t move the football much.
Vs. Tulsa
In its third game of the season, OSU suffered an upset loss to in-state rival Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane kicked a 34-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to stun the Cowboys 19-17 at Boone Pickens Stadium. Former OSU running back Dominic Richardson scored a touchdown for Tulsa.
Vs. Baylor
OSU opened Big 12 Conference play with a big-time loss to the Bears at home, 52-10. Flores struggled again, going 11-of-31 for 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
At Arizona
In this simulation, OSU gets its first conference win of the season on the road. The Cowboys went into Tucson and defeated the Wildcats 38-24. OSU’s offense bounced back and scored 21 fourth-quarter points to steal a win from Arizona. Flores threw a season-high four touchdowns to go with his 293 passing yards and defensive back Jeremy Cook Jr. came away with an interception.
Vs. Houston
The Cougars’ defense took advantage of Flores’ inexperience and won 16-13 at BPS after scoring 10 fourth-quarter points to OSU’s 3. Flores passed for 189 yards and was picked off.
Vs. Cincinatti
After the loss to Houston, OSU’s season started trending in the wrong direction.
The Bearcats went into Stillwater and defeated OSU 27-19. Brendan Sorsby completed 70% of his passes and tossed three touchdowns in the road win.
At Texas Tech
OSU’s defense played well in Lubbock, holding the Red Raiders to only 3 firsthalf points. But the Cowboys’ offense didn’t do its part, and OSU wound up losing 17-3.
At Kansas
The Cowboys couldn’t contain Jalon Daniels. He rushed for 100 yards and passed for two touchdowns in a 31-3 win against OSU. Flores only passed for 193 yards and fumbled the football in the second quarter.
Vs. Kansas State OSU got back in the win column with a 20-18 win against the Wildcats. The Cowboys kicked a field goal with 45 seconds left to win the game at home and pick up their third win of the season.
At UCF
The Knights got the best of OSU in Florida with a 17-10 win after the OSU offense turned the football over twice. For the second straight week, the Cowboys’ defense held its opponent below 20 points, but OSU couldn’t generate enough offense.
Vs. Iowa State
The Cowboys closed the regular season in disappointing fashion after losing to the Cyclones 12-0 in a rainy game on a Saturday night at BPS.
Notables
In this simulation, OSU finished 3-9 for a second straight season but did pick up some conference wins unlike last season. Flores finished the season completing only 51% of his passes and threw for 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
McCoy was OSU’s top tackler with 76 solo stops, while defensive back Jaylin Davies totaled 61 solo tackles. Brock was the Cowboys’ top rusher. He ran for 666 yards and punched in five touchdowns.
For some Cowboys fans, they might have never watched UT Martin. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Let’s take a preview of OSU’s opponent in Week 1.
Who is UT Martin?
The UT Martin Skyhawks are based in Martin, Tennessee, and are a part of FCS, the lower subdivision of Division-I football. The program competes in a nine-team league in the OVC-Big South Association (an alliance between the Ohio Valley and Big South conferences).
UT Martin is coached by Jason Simpson, who’s entering his 20th season with the team and has a career record of 124-92 and 1-2 in the FCS playoffs.
The Skyhawks have had recent success, winning or sharing the conference championship in each of the past four seasons. They finished in a four-way tie in the conference last season at 9-5 (6-2) and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.
What is UT Martin good at?
Last season, UT Martin had an elite defense, especially against the run, ranking fifth and sixth nationally in the FCS in rush defense and total defense. They created turnovers and scored points on defense (third in interceptions, fifth in defensive TDs, 14th in turnovers gained).
The Skyhawks were good at controlling the clock, holding about 31:54 in time of possession per game, and sustaining drives with a top-tier red zone efficiency.
UT Martin had a balanced offense in 2024 that ranked respectably across multiple categories in total offense, scoring and rushing. They also had exceptional special teams
execution, particularly in punt return yardage (14th nationally).
What is UT Martin’s style of play? UT Martin generally relies on a wellbalanced approach—strong defense, efficient offense and experienced coaching. They often dominate at home and handle conference rivals well.
However, ahead of 2025, they’ve seen key roster turnover: outgoing transfers include their 2024 starting quarterback Kinkead Dent, leading running back Patrick Smith and top receivers Trevonte Rucker and DeVonte Tanksley, who accounted for a significant portion of their scoring production.
They also promoted Jerry Partridge to defensive coordinator following Brandon Butcher’s move to UTEP. Still, their depth, coaching continuity, and defensive highlight players can help retain competitiveness even into FBS matchups like this one.
What should OSU fans expect from UT Martin in Week 1?
Just like South Dakota State last season, UT Martin is a strong FCS foe riding momentum from strong seasons and conference dominance. Even when missing key playmakers, they’re battletested.
The Skyhawks have a key defensive threat in defensive back JaMichael McGoy Jr, named OVC-Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List (presented to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS). The Cowboys will need to watch out for McGoy Jr. since he’s got the ability to disrupt the passing attack. UT Martin heads into the 2025 season without their main offensive contributors from last season, and the Skyhawks may have growing pains early on, especially against an OSU defense.
Mike Gundy is undefeated against FCS opponents as the Cowboys’ head coach. He holds a 16-0 record, including a 44-20 victory over SDSU, the two-time defending FCS champions at the time last season. OSU heads into the season-opener as 22.5-point favorites (according to ESPN Bet), but a well-coached, hungry UT Martin squad can still bring surprises.
Courtesy UT Martin Athletics
UT Martin’s Jason Simpson is the longest tenured head coach in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Grantham could be biggest key in an OSU turn around
Parker Gerl CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mike Gundy didn’t know Todd Grantham nor what Grantham was up to.
But in December, after finishing the 2024 season 3-9 overall, Gundy let go of coordinators Bryan Nardo (defense) and Kasey Dunn (offense). Then he turned to some of his coaching peers and asked them a simple question — who would you hire if you were looking to hire a defensive coordinator?
Grantham’s name popped up. Gundy was unfamiliar with the veteran coach but began working on learning more about his new candidate for the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator job.
“I trust these guys, and one in particular said, ‘I would hire (Grantham) to be my coordinator,’” Gundy said in a January press conference.
“That’s how it happened. I didn’t even know the guy. I didn’t know Todd. I didn’t even know where he was, and then I started the process and got involved in communications and had a very extensive interview with him.”
Gundy estimated his interview with Grantham was four to five hours. He recalled Grantham having an organized plan for several facets of the job and leaving a strong first impression. On Dec. 11, OSU officially announced the hire of the longtime coach to help reshape the Cowboys’ defense.
In six days, Grantham will coach his first game at OSU. With his track record, combined with the style he wants to deploy this season, Grantham’s coaching could be the biggest driver in the Cowboys bouncing back this season.
OSU intends to use multiple schemes and move players around the field to show different packages. The versatility Grantham prefers is used for two reasons, he said: stopping the run and putting the opposing quarterback in tough situations.
To do that, Grantham will utilize both three-down and four-down fronts.
“We’ll have packages where the nickel might become a dime linebacker,” Grantham said. “A safety might drop down as a nickel. A corner could become a nickel. An inside backer may become an outside backer. I think you got to have those flexibilities.”
Grantham has 12 seasons under his belt as an FBS defensive coordinator. From 2018-21, he served as Florida’s defensive coordinator and put together a couple of strong SEC defenses highlighted by pressure and takeaways.
From 2018-20, Grantham’s Gator defense forced 65 turnovers, which tied for 11th-most during that span. UF also ranked top-10 in the nation in sacks in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Takeaways have followed Grantham’s defenses during
his career and he’s looking to have more with his OSU defense.
“The reason (for that) is that (we try) making them one dimensional,” Grantham said. “But then, also trying to give the quarterback a picture that tells him where to throw the ball, and then we want to take that picture away.”
Taking that picture away means Grantham’s OSU defense will use post-snap disguise, he said. They’ll
show one look at the line of scrimmage, but on the snap of the ball jump to a different look. That’s one way Grantham tries to make quarterbacks “play bad,” along with bringing pressure. If familiar trends of Grantham’s past defenses continue in Stillwater — turnovers and sacks — it’d be massive for an OSU team that has a lot of questions. It’d also help take pressure off the Cowboys’ inexperienced
quarterback — whether it’s Hauss Hejny or Zane Flores — and put OSU in a good position to win close games. Grantham’s outlook for his defense is simple. He wants it to overwhelm the opponent.
“At the end of the day, how do you affect the quarterback and make him play bad?” Grantham said. “... If the quarterback doesn’t play very good, your chances of winning aren’t very good.”
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How have Meacham’s offenses performed in previous seasons?
Cayden Cox STAFF REPORTER
Returning to Stillwater for his fourth stint as a Cowboy, Doug Meacham steps in to lead an Oklahoma State offense with several new faces. Meacham steps back into the offensive coordinator role for the first time since 2021. Throughout his career as an OC at the FBS level, Meacham has led elite offenses, but has also led offenses that struggled to find their footing.
Having seven seasons as an FBS OC under his belt, Meacham has learned that he has to adapt his spread offenses to best fit his team.
“Everyone has a set of plays they love.” Meacham said. “But it depends on what you have, can you do it or not.”
With the Cowboys entering the season with a quarterback competition between Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores, Meacham’s style of play could be the difference maker.
“If you’ve got a pocket guy, you have to have that one receiver that can make it happen,” Meacham said. “If you’re not particularly dominant in that area, then you’re probably (going to want) a guy that can move around a bit. If you’ve got both, then that’s lightning in a bottle.” Meacham’s first gig as an offensive coordinator at the FBS level was with Houston in 2013. The Cougars, who were in a transition period following quarterback Case Keenum’s record-breaking career, called on Meacham to rebuild their
offense. In his lone season with Houston, the Cougar offense averaged 419 yards while scoring 33.2 points per game.
After revitalizing the Cougars’ offense, Meacham left for his first stint at TCU, where he found success.
During his first season with the Horned Frogs in 2014, the TCU thrived, finishing second in the nation in scoring, lighting up the scoreboard
with 46.5 points per game. With a mobile Trevone Boykin behind center, TCU was one of three offenses in the nation with 300-plus passing and 200plus rushing yards per game. Boykin finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, as the Frogs put up 533 yards per game. With Boykin and Meacham returning for the 2015 season, TCU continued its unstoppable ways on offense. TCU scored
40-plus points in eight of its 13 games and averaged 42 per outing. The Horned Frogs were third in the nation with 562.8 yards per game and eighth in passing yards per game with 347.4. Boykin was also sixth in the country on yards per completion, averaging more than 9 yards a completion. Despite the personnel change prior to the 2016 season, which would be Meacham’s last year during his
first stint at TCU, the Horned Frogs continued to move the ball with ease. They finished the year scoring 31 points per game and averaging 463.2 yards of total offense.
Following three seasons in Fort Worth, Meacham headed to Lawrence and spent 2017 and 2018 as the OC for Kansas.
Meacham found little success, as the Jayhawks ranked in the bottom 10 in the nation on total offense, points per game and thirddown conversions. Coming off a season where he led TCU’s offense to 31 points per game, the 2017 Jayhawks only put up 18.7.
Year two with Kansas was much of the same for Meacham, as the Jayhawks made minor improvements but still ranked in the bottom third. Kansas ranked 110th in total offense with 350.8 yards per game and 106th in total points with 23.8.
The 2018 season would be Meacham’s last with the Jayhawks, and it would be three years until he returned to an OC role.
Meacham returned to TCU in 2021 and got Max Duggan going before his breakout 2022 campaign. Meacham’s second stint in the purple and black brought back a potent offense. TCU put up 436 yards per game, and found success on third-down’s, converting more than 45% of the time.
Meacham now finds himself in an OC role for the first time since 2021 and takes over an OSU offense looking to find its footing.
Courtesy OSU Athletics
Todd Grantham is a veteran coach entering his first season as OSU’s defensive coordinator.
Payton Little
Doug Meacham is in an offensive coordinator role for the first time since 2021.
Parity in the Big 12 could help OSU
Oklahoma State enters 2025 in rebuild mode, but unpredictability is often the only constant in the Big 12.
After a 3-9 season in 2024, the Cowboys overhauled their roster and coaching staff. Mike Gundy returns for his 21st year as head coach, joined by new coordinators and several player additions through the transfer portal. The Cowboys have the secondlargest class in the Big 12, only behind West Virginia.
On paper, OSU projects near the bottom of the conference, a borderline bowl team — yet in today’s Big 12, that doesn’t always mean much. Parity has become the league’s trademark.
Last season, Arizona State was picked to finish last in the preseason poll before storming to a Big 12 title and the league’s lone playoff spot.
For reference, the top five teams projected in 2024 — Utah, Kansas State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State — all fell short of
their preseason projected win totals. Meanwhile, teams projected near the bottom, like Baylor, Arizona State and BYU, crushed the over. Even teams projected in the middle of the pack, such as West Virginia or TCU, had weeks where it looked like a Big 12 contender with close matchups against ranked opponents, showing that nearly any game in the Big 12 is up for grabs.
In a 16-team conference where depth, chaos and tiebreakers often decide who gets to Arlington, the margin between top contenders and bottomof-the-conference teams is slim. Brett Yormark, the Big 12 commissioner, paid tribute to the parity in the league at media day.
“No league offers the competitive balance that we do,” Yormark said.
OSU could benefit from lower expectations this season. A mix of transfers and young players gives the Cowboys a fresh start, with many eager to prove themselves. Last season, every position group failed to meet expectations, but
if the Cowboys can find the right players to break out and live up to their potential, they have a shot. Similarly to 2023, OSU will need to win the onepossession games. That year the Cowboys won three, and while the Big 12’s unpredictability could work in its favor, winning the close ones makes all the difference.
Oklahoma State pushed ranked BYU to the limit on the road in 2024 and will have to pull off more upsets to stay competitive. Even a team in rebuild mode can stay in the Big 12 mix, where preseason forecasts rarely hold true.
With seveal teams capable of overperforming or underperforming week to week, the Cowboys have a chance to take advantage of the chaos. A strong showing against mid-tier opponents or a surprise upset against a top contender could change the narrative quickly. In the Big 12, a few key wins at the right time can make the difference between a rebuilding season and a surprising bowl appearance.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
CAYDEN COX: DJ Lagway, quarterback, Florida
PARKER GERL: Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State
WESTON WERTZBERGER: Cade Klubnik, quarterback, Clemson
SAM MITCHELL: Arch Manning, quarterback, Texas
LUKE MAZZA: Cade Klubnik, quarterback, Clemson
BIG 12 CONFERENCE WINNER
CAYDEN COX: Baylor
PARKER GERL: Arizona State
WESTON WERTZBERGER: Texas Tech
SAM MITCHELL: Texas Tech
LUKE MAZZA: Kansas State
Gundy gives
CFP FINAL FOUR
CAYDEN COX: Penn State, Florida, Georgia Tech & LSU
PARKER GERL: LSU, Texas, Penn State & Clemson
WESTON WERTZBERGER: Clemson, Texas, Penn State & Georgia
SAM MITCHELL: Texas Tech, Texas, Ohio State & Notre Dame
LUKE MAZZA: Florida, Alabama, Clemson & Penn State
* National Champion in italics
OSU HOT TAKE
CAYDEN COX: OSU finishes the season ranked.
PARKER GERL: The Cowboys’ defense will be one of the Big 12’s best at stopping the run.
WESTON WERTZBERGER: OSU will finish top-25 in total offense when the season ends.
SAM MITCHELL: OSU is the reason someone doesn’t make the Big 12 Championship game.
LUKE MAZZA: OSU’s defense ranks top-5 in the Big 12 in points per game.
On Monday, Brett McMurphy of On3 Sports reported that Oklahoma State dismissed safety Zaquan Patterson from its football program.
Cowboys coach Mike Gundy gave an update on Patterson’s status on Thursday at his weekly press conference. Based on Gundy’s update, the door on Patterson isn’t permanently closed yet.
“As of now, yes, (he is dismissed),” Gundy said. “It’s not 100%. But as of now, he’s not practicing with us.”
Patterson transferred to OSU from Miami after posting 19 total tackles (15 solo) and three pass breakups for the Hurricanes in 12 games last season as a freshman. Patterson’s only start came against Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Picking up Patterson in the portal was a big get for OSU. He entered the portal on April 25 and considered Florida and Ole Miss as his top choices. But the Cowboys swooped in on his recruitment and earned his commitment on May 8. Patterson was a standout prospect coming out of high school — he was ranked No. 92 nationally and sixth at the safety position in Rivals’ Industry Ranking. 247 Sports listed Patterson as a four-star recruit and No. 63 overall in its national rankings. With OSU only returning six starters from last year’s defense, there was a path for Patterson to have a big impact in the secondary. Now Patterson’s future at OSU is uncertain.
Luke Mazza STAFF REPORTER
Conner Fuxa
The Big 12 has become known for its unpredictability and somewhat even playing field.
Chance Marick
Mike Gundy said transfer safety Zaquan Patterson isn’t practicing with OSU right now.
QB battle: ‘I don’t have any updates’
Gundy says Flores, Hejny still battling to start
A week out from the season opener against UT Martin, the biggest question still looms for the Cowboys.
Who will line up behind center?
The battle between Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny is still ongoing, as Mike Gundy searches to find who will take that first snap.
“I don’t have any updates on that,” Gundy said when asked about the quarterbacks on Thursday. “Both of them are competitors, they’re athletic and they’re learning.”
Hejny and Flores enter the season having been battling for the starting job since the QB race turned into a two-man competition in January.
During OSU’s football media day on Aug. 2, Gundy said there was no timeline on naming a starter.
“Can’t put a timeline on when that will happen, and I don’t know when it will happen,” Gundy said. “We very well may be playing two (quarterbacks) in the first game.”
Neither Flores nor Hejny have attempted a pass at the college level, so the development of the two will be key.
“I think they’re getting better,” Gundy said. “They’re understanding our system.”
Hejny has that dual-threat capability, having showcased his running ability at TCU as well as in his high school days at Aledo in Texas. During his senior season with the Bearcats in 2023, Hejny threw
for 2,700 yards, rushed for an additional 1,000 and totaled 40 touchdowns. Hejny also has familiarity with OSU’s offensive coordinator Doug Meacham, who served as the inside receivers coach for TCU in 2024.
Flores, who is entering year three in the Cowboys
system, hasn’t taken a snap at the college level. The Gretna, Nebraska, native, threw for 3,117 yards during his senior season in his highschool at Gretna in 2022. He redshirted during the 2023 season and missed all of 2024 with a left foot injury.
“I think they both started at
the same spot,” Gundy said. “There’s a lot of similarities to what we’re doing now with Coach Meacham… but not enough to actually help in a carry over.”
Despite competing for a job, Gundy says both quarterbacks have remained positive.
“Their attitudes have been really good,” Gundy said. “And their ability to relate with their coaches has been well in my opinion.”
With two unproven young quarterbacks, seeing both of them at practice goes a long way to their development.
“There’s plenty of reps for two guys.” Gundy said. “When you have more than two, you cut into an opportunity for guys to improve and get better.”
Coming off a 3-9 season in which the Cowboys quarterbacks led the conference with 17 interceptions thrown and ranked in the bottom third of total offense, Flores and Hejny will be faced with the pressure to produce.
“At some point, the team will start to migrate toward one guy,” Gundy said. “It doesn’t mean the other guy is not a good player, it just means the team might subtly start migrating towards a guy, and they have to be productive.”
OSU football expects 27 new faces to play in season opener
After 19 days since Mike Gundy last spoke to the media, the Cowboys have no position battle updates to offer.
The Oklahoma State football coach’s final update before the season begins Thursday against UT Martin didn’t involve any changes to the team, including the quarterback battle between Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny.
Uncertainty remains for the Cowboys’ depth chart with less than a week until gameday. Here are some notables from Thursday:
Lots of newcomers expected to play in the opener Gundy revealed that 27 players who have never suited up for Oklahoma State are expected to play in the season opener against UT-Martin — a sign of how the roster has turned over since 2024.
Many of the newcomers are transfers expected to contribute on defense.
“There’s not really a roster or a depth chart for it as we speak, but we do have a lot of players that are doing very well, and we’re excited about playing a game,” Gundy said.
That number of 27 will double compared to last year, when only 13 newcomers played in the 2024 season opener. Even with little experience
from the team on the field, the Cowboys are ready for the challenge.
“We’ve practiced against each other enough,” Gundy said. “The guys are ready to play a game, so I’m excited about a week from now watching these guys get out there and play and trying to learn a little bit more about our football team.”
A cultural reset anchored in identity Gundy made it clear that OSU’s foundation hasn’t changed despite roster turnover. He emphasized core values, discipline and accountability as the backbone of Cowboy culture.
“We just kept our core values the same and our accountabilities the same,” Gundy said. “We were in more of a discipline role than we have ever been in before, but we made it through it.”
Safety David Kabongo emphasized that the team is embracing the changes, and it’s essential for everyone to be brought in and repair the Cowboy culture.
“We have goals to go to the Big 12 championship, and for sure, having a turnaround from last year,” Kabongo said. “So in order to do that, I feel like everybody has to be bought in. You’re always as strong as your weakest link.
“...It took some time to adjust, just everybody to kind of put together
and get to know each other and get comfortable with each other. That’s the main goal.”
Finding a force in the backfield
With former Doak Walker award winner Ollie Gordon II now in the NFL, someone must take over as the primary running back.
Sesi Vailahi was RB2 last season, appearing in all 12 games. He rushed 42 times for 99 yards (average of 2.4 yards per carry) and scored two rushing touchdowns.
Vailahi talked about the depth of the running back room coming into the first game.
“I think we really had a good fall camp,” Vailahi said.
“I can really see that we’re all really downhill running backs. We make the first guy miss. We all developed a really good pass protection. We got close with our O-line, getting to know the whole playbook and scheme. We all came together as one.”
Heading into his sophomore season with the possibility of being the starter, Vailahi talked about one big thing he took out personally to prepare for 2025.
“Being behind Ollie Gordon, just gotta stay humble and keep working and just be ready for the opportunity.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Cayden Cox STAFF REPORTER
Teaguen Harbour
Hauss Hejny, left, and Zane Flores, right, could both play in Oklahoma State’s season opener.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Chance Marick
Mike Gundy held his weekly press conference on Thursday and talked about OSU’s depth.
Former Cowboys Presley, Gordon impressive so far in preseason
a phenomenal 40-yard catch in the waning moments of the fourth quarter on the game-winning drive.
OSU hoops announce nonconference schedule
Parker Gerl CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Year 2 of the Steve Lutz era at Oklahoma State will begin with a matchup against Oral Roberts.
On Monday, the Cowboys announced their full nonconference schedule, offering a full look at who they’ll face before they open Big 12 Conference play.
The matchup with in-state opponent Oral Roberts is set for Nov. 4.
On. Nov. 9, OSU will host Texas A&M at Gallagher-Iba Arena. It’ll be the first weekend action for the Cowboys and give them a good early test against a former Big 12 member.
Two weeks have gone by in the NFL preseason, and a few former Oklahoma State players have earned reps with their new teams.
This offseason, OSU saw four players get selected in the NFL Draft and four more signed with teams as undrafted free agents.
Here’s how these former Cowboys have performed so far this preseason and the potential they might bring to their new teams.
Ollie Gordon II
The sixth-round selection by the Miami Dolphins has had impressive moments so far this preseason.
In Week 1 vs. Chicago, Gordon carried the ball eight times for 33 yards, scored a touchdown and added a 39yard reception. In Week 2 vs. Detroit, he followed up with 10 rushes for 50 yards, outperforming backup Jaylen Wright in both games.
In two games, Gordon is averaging 4.6 yards per carry while leading the team with 83 rushing yards in 18 carries.
Starting running back De’Von Achane is currently dealing with a calf injury and won’t play in the Week 3 matchup against Jacksonville on Saturday, giving Gordon more opportunities to prove himself as a legitimate running back in the NFL.
If he continues to shine and earn more reps than Wright, he could solidify his case as RB2 in Miami.
Brennan Presley
The all-time career receptions leader in OSU history was a game-changer for the Los Angeles Rams in their most recent game.
In Week 1 vs. Dallas, Presley earned two receptions for 11 yards and scored a touchdown. In Week 2 vs. the LA Chargers, he tripled his amount of catches with six for 102 yards, including
In two games, Presley is averaging 14.1 yards per reception with 113 yards and eight catches total.
Presley came in as an undrafted free agent, but he shows great potential and talent. If he remains prolific against Cleveland on Saturday, that could be enough to make the 53-man roster this season.
Nick Martin
The fourth-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers had a bumpy start in Week 1 vs. Denver with multiple missed tackles.
Martin elevated his play in Week 2 vs. Las Vegas, tying the team lead with five solo tackles, recording a sack and notching a tackle for loss.
As long as Martin keeps showing eagerness to adapt and improve, he should be positioned as a backup linebacker heading into his rookie season.
More rookies
Cornerback Korie Black didn’t see any action in the first week but did earn three total tackles, including a solo tackle for the New York Giants in their second game.
Wide receiver Rashod Owens had no receptions in Week 1, but made two catches in Week 2 for the Cincinnati Bengals for 13 yards.
Defensive end Collin Oliver hasn’t appeared on the field yet for the Green Bay Packers, being listed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Offensive linemen Dalton Cooper (KC) and Joe Michalski (DEN) both saw snaps in each of their two games and remain competing for roster spots.
Safety Trey Rucker last worked out for the Washington Commanders last week, with no updates on his situation.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
OSU opens the season with six straight home games over a 19-day span, including a matchup against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi on Nov. 12. Lutz coached A&M Corpus-Christi from 2021-23.
The Cowboys also head to Chicago during nonconference play for a matchup with Northwestern at the United Center. That meeting is part of a doubleheader with Duke and Arkansas.
“We’re looking forward to being part of a great college basketball atmosphere on Thanksgiving Day,” Lutz said in a press release. “Competing at the United Center against a strong opponent like Northwestern will be a valuable experience for our group as we gear up for Big 12 play. It will be a fun day of basketball!”
Two more neutral site games follow
2:
6:
DEC. 21: Vs. Cal State Fullerton
DEC. 29: Vs. Bethune Cookman
for OSU — a Dec.6 matchup with Grand Canyon in Phoenix and a clash with Bedlam rival Oklahoma on Dec. 13 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
OSU’s december schedule also features Sam Houston (Dec. 2), Kansas City (Dec. 18), Cal State Fullerton (Dec. 21) and Bethune Cookman (Dec. 29).
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
Ollie Gordon is seeing an increased workload due to the Dolphins’ injuries.
Payton Little
Year 2 of the Steve Lutz era will include games against Texas A&M and Northwestern.
Jackson Posey, sports editor of The Baylor Lariat, conducted a Big 12 Student Media Preseason Poll leading up to the 2025 football season.
10 sports editors/ editor-in-chiefs from Big 12 schools were polled and gave their conference rankings. With that data, Posey put together one preseason poll.
Parker Gerl, The O’Colly’s Co-Editor-InChief, participated in the poll.
S.
St. Stillwater, OK 74074 Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking! SINCE 1957,
Knoblock
Friday, August 22, 2025
A home to diversity
For most College Bar enthusiasts, Oklahoma State introduced them to the bar.
It was the opposite for Sadie Alford. College Bar introduced her to OSU.
When she began working for College Bar, it was located on The Strip. She witnessed the celebration of students finishing finals week, passing
classes and celebrating birthdays. It inspired her to begin a college journey of her own.
“I originally didn’t want to go to college,” she said.
“But after working at the bar and seeing all of the college students celebrating their failures or successes, I came to realize that I wanted to be a part of something even bigger.”
After less than a year
of Alford working for College Bar, it closed its doors on The Strip because of a rent increase. She remembers being devastated. It was a place where she had met a new community, including her significant other. Her community celebrated each other’s successes and supported each other when there was sadness.
OSU breaks enrollment record
Oklahoma State continues to maintain its status as the largest higher education system in Oklahoma.
On the first day of class, 36,934 students were enrolled across OSU’s five campuses — OSUStillwater, OSU-OKC, OSU-Tulsa, OSU-IT (Okmulgee) and OSU Center for Health Sciences — breaking OSU’s system-wide enrollment record from 12 years ago.
OSU’s main campus in Stillwater has seen consistent growth. The campus is in its second consecutive year of record enrollment and fourth consecutive year of record freshmen enrollment.
Increasing freshmen enrollment was a part of the We Are Land-Grant strategic plan. Last year, roughly 5,000 freshmen enrolled, reaching its goal two years before schedule. Although the numbers may continue to rise as enrollment is still open, the numbers currently sit at 5,184 for freshmen enrollment.
“(I’m) so happy to see all the students back,” said Jeanette Mendez, provost and senior vice president of OSU. “But man, it is crowded. You can feel it. I thought you could feel it last year… you can feel it’s a larger class.”
New sorority members reflect on sisterhood, growth, building their new community
Bid Day at Oklahoma State is a storm of noise and color.
Signs with hand-painted letters stretch above the crowd, music spills from loudspeakers and students sprint across Library Lawn into the arms of their new sisters. Laughter mixes with tears in the chaos, a mix of relief, exhaustion and joy that caps off one of the most intense weeks of the year.
For Jayden Payne, the moment came with a sense of disbelief.
“Honestly, I don’t know if there’s ever been a time where I questioned if I could read,” she joked, remembering the instant she saw her Zeta Tau Alpha bid card.
Behind the humor was relief. Recruitment week is long, emotional and filled with uncertainty. For many women, it becomes
more than just choosing a chapter. It is a process of discovering who they are and where they feel at home.
Kalei Kellogg, now a member of Kappa Delta, said the experience was draining but transformative.
“It was definitely exhausting and emotional, but in the best way possible,” she said. “I grew as a person… I got a glimpse into what I want my life in college to look like.”
She remembers walking into the KD house during rounds and being surprised at her own reaction.
“Every time I visited KD, I would get tears in my eyes…,” Kellogg said, “They made such an impact on me.” That impact is part of what keeps recruitment unpredictable. Gracie Giles said she never expected to join Kappa Delta.
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Payton Little
Bryson Thadhani
New members of Kappa Alpha Theta run home on Bid Day at Oklahoma State on August 16.
Bryson Thadhani SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
First Cowgirl leads new mental health initiative
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Oklahoma State is prioritizing student mental health.
First Cowgirl Angela Hess is leading a new mental health initiative committed to student well-being. Cowboys Care consolidates students resources onto a single webpage, making them easy to find and utilize. There are four key areas on the website for students to navigate to; clinical counseling, the on-campus health clinic, the student support system and wellness and prevention programs.
Care Reports — a form students and faculty can fill out to express a concern about another person’s wellbeing — are increasing in use. Amber ManningOuellette, the interim vice president of Student Affairs, said in a faculty council meeting that the submissions of care reports have increased about 24% each year. She expects that number to go up because of Cowboys Care. “Mental health and mental health support and student support are very,
very important to the Hess,’” ManningOuellette said. “One of their major initiatives and priorities that has flown through Student Affairs and our division is mental health support for college students.”
TimelyCare is a new virtual counseling option among the resources. It is free and includes selfcare content, scheduled counseling and more. It offers 24/7 service for students to access after hours and weekend care.
The website also clearly lists support services that contribute to mental health, such as basic needs, general wellness and student accessibility services.
“C aring for your well-being is at the heart of what we do because we know that it’s hard to succeed academically or in the workplace if you don’t feel your best,” OSU President Jim Hess said in a press release. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of everything OSU has to offer and to support one another in this journey.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Editorial board
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Raynee Howell & Parker Gerl editorinchief@ocolly.com
Design editor Katie Lehew design.ed@ocolly.com
Social media editor Bryson Thadhani news.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant social media editor Jose Brito news.ed@ocolly.com
Photo editor Chance Marick photo.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant photo editor Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com
On This day
2005. 20 years ago.
The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association celebrated the opening of its 52,000 square-foot ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Friday with the unveiling of the building’s name outside its western doors.
Attendees included OSU administration officials and an estimated 500 alumni who took part in the collective donation of $17 million to the construction of the center.
“I think you would agree with me that this is truly a great day to be a Cowboy,” said Alumni Association President Sean Kouplen.
ALEX ELLIOT | THE DAILY O’COLLEGIAN ASST. MANAGING EDITOR, 2005
Aliyah Young
Ashley Yarbrough
Sports reporters: Photographers & Designers:
Timothy Christensen Cayden Cox
Gina Foster
Pearson Gilliam
Kenzie Kraich
Luke Mazza
Sam Mitchell
Tanner Revas
Will Thorogood
Weston Wertzberger
Jace Bormann
Mykalyn Daidone
Catherine Dzanski
Andon Freitas
Connor Fuxa
Kaytlyn Hayes
Ethan Hilbert
Jonathan Jackson
Kaitlyn Robertson
A TRIUMPHED END!
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering , and the time of my departure Is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.”. (2 Tim.4:6-8 NKJ)
Here is a man who has lived a life in serving the Lord Jesus and others. He is in a prison cell, expecting his execution at any time. According to history, Paul was beheaded at Rome.
In his last words to a young man and minister, Timothy; Paul was looking ahead to greater and lasting judgement that would come from Christ himself. A
well done to a good and faithful servant. We all can take encouragement from his life of service to the Lord and his vision of something much better that awaited him.
As Jesus neared the end of his life. He prayed:to God “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify me...with the glory which I had with you before the world was.” (Jn.17:4-5 NKJ)
Brother and Sister in Christ: Let us set our goal for a triumphed ending by finishing the work God has called us to do. If it be large or small to our eyes; no matter! Let’s
Payton Little
First Cowgirl Angela Hess is prioritizing mental health for students with a new comprehensive initiative.
between staff, faculty
The main issue for those departments is late enrollment.
Oklahoma State’s newfound focus on finance and cost efficiency started changing professor’s course schedules ahead of the new semester.
Several courses were cancelled after not meeting a certain enrollment number, which is a normal procedure in higher education but occurred in more departments this year. Faculty and staff came to the faculty council meeting Tuesday with questions and concerns.
OSU President Jim Hess had previously said he wanted to be the one to address the class cancellations but was not present at the meeting because he was on business at the OSU-Tulsa campus.
Provost and Senior Vice President Jeannette Mendez stepped in instead.
“We do understand that was challenging for many faculty,” Mendez said. “We recognize that this was one way that we were helping try to start the process of looking at efficiencies at the department level, in a way we realize not all departments have been doing. There are plenty of departments that do this regularly, and we have no issues in those departments because they regularly cancel.”
Larger departments undergo several class cancellations a year. Required classes for highenrollment majors almost always meet the threshold, and any electives that don’t are removed without pushback as students have access to other courses.
With the sustainability of courses in the course catalog under a microscope, it left professors advocating to keep their courses available while the students continued to enroll.
“We had a bunch of classes on the chopping block in June, even though we knew that they were going to fill up by the end of the summer,” associate professor Jentre Olsen said. “And lo and behold, they did… but we had to jump through what it felt like a lot of extra hoops to save these classes.”
The move to cancellations across all departments is what caused concern, especially for classes required for majors with few students enrolled. Mendez said almost every exception for required classes were granted for students who needed the course to graduate. Joseph Haley, faculty committee chair and assistant professor in the physics department, said huge service classes easily reach a good number, but smaller major classes are more difficult.
“It’s always difficult to get any of the ones that only majors take to ever make (the threshold to remain a course),” Haley said.
“And that’s really the problem. The only ones that we’ll ever be able to teach or can get exceptions for are because the students need them to graduate… because there’s only a certain number of students that will take it, because there’s just that many students, period.”
Hess sent out an email Aug. 15 to faculty about entering a
phase for Imperative 8 of the OSU strategic plan — to adapt the higher education landscape to prioritize students and remain effective and sustainable for faculty and staff. Hess said in the email that human resources and finance operations are the first focuses this fall.
“This initiative is not about reducing people — it is about enhancing how we deliver support and services. By working more cohesively across divisions and campuses, we can reduce duplication, improve responsiveness, build systems that make it easier for us to do our jobs and serve the Cowboy family,” the email stated.
The number of professors and the amount of courses they are teaching is one area of Hess’ focus. Mendez said Hess did a cost analysis on adjunct professors and found the university is spending more than $14 million on adjunct professors. The questions arising from the analysis relate to faculty workload and its efficiency at its current state.
Mendez posed a rhetorical question to the faculty and staff. She asked if maximizing the faculty workload and eliminating small classes would result in relying less on temporary faculty.
“We do not want to cancel classes. We do not want to put a burden on students and faculty, but structurally, if we can fix some of the reasons that led to that (smaller class sizes, under-enrolled departments), that would put us in a really good place,” Mendez said.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Enrollment
Continued from 1
Overall enrollment for OSU-Stillwater has increased by 18% in the last decade and it currently sits at 27,655 students. Enrollment numbers for the year will be finalized in September after the last add/drop deadline.
OSU President Jim Hess said the university’s commitment to making college more accessible through various scholarships, programs and initiatives directly correlates to the increase in enrollment numbers.
“Setting a new enrollment record is more than a number,” Hess said in a press release. “It’s a testament to the trust families place in Oklahoma State University and our unwavering commitment to student success.”
The main campus also surpassed the record for undergraduate and online student enrollment. Undergraduate enrollment is sitting close to 23,000 while online student enrollment is only a few students away from 3,000. Increased enrollment across the board has caused issues in the past, specifically for access to student housing.
A few months before move in last fall, OSU sent out emails offering students a bronze meal plan, valued at $3,400 and a $1,000 scholarship to opt out of on-campus housing. Several students who applied for housing were put on a standby list and had to find housing off campus.
Housing and Residential Life confirmed to The O’Colly that more than 6,000 residents have moved into university housing for the upcoming academic year. All undergraduate students who had been on a standby list were successfully placed as long as they completed a housing application and had no other holds.
“We’re excited to welcome our newest Cowboys to campus,” said Mike Hunsucker, interim director of Housing and Residential Life. “Our team has worked hard to make this transition as seamless as possible.”
Res Life implemented traffic routes for each residence hall to help streamline traffic during move in. Residence Hall staff also spent weeks in training to support student success and ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
“It’s a good problem to have (accommodating for a larger student body), but it’s a big class, so it’s got to be crowded,” Mendez said.
With an acceptance rate of 70%, OSU continues to let in about 70 of every 100 students who apply. This statistic reflects Hess’ goal of making higher education more accessible.
Karen Chen, vice president of enrollment management, said the university takes pride in welcoming new students to the Cowboy family.
“We want each student to have a great educational and personal experience,” Chen said in a press release. “Everyone on campus truly wants to see our students succeed. OSU is a special place where students feel like campus is a home away from home and a place where there are endless possibilities.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
Oklahoma State’s main campus in Stillwater is in its second consecutive year of record enrollment and fourth consecutive year of record freshmen enrollment.
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
File photo
Faculty and staff came to the faculty council meeting Tuesday with questions and concerns regarding recent class cancellations, resulting from Oklahoma State’s focus on maximizing efficiency for both human resources and finance operations.
Lifestyle
Bid Day
Photos by Bryson Thadhani
Students express
with fashion
Each year students dress up for the first day of school.
Sal Oglesby’s first-day-of-school outfit represented her passion. She’s a sophomore at Oklahoma State and is minoring in apparel design. The O’Colly asked her about her outfit and how it relates to her work.
Q: What fashion aesthetic are you going for?
A:“I wanted to dress up a little bit but not too much since it’s really hot outside, and it would be difficult to move. So, this skirt I bought it online from a smallfashion business, and it used to have a extra layer of toil underneath, but it didn’t look good on me since I’m short, and it made the skirt too long. So, I just cut it off and now it looks like this and the top was mostly picked because short sleeves is good for heat, and it matches the white so it balances the colors out.”
Q: What got you into fashion?
A:“That’s a tough question. I’ve mostly been drawing for most of my life since I was little and just designing outfits since I like drawing characters most of the time and designing their clothes. That’s always been my favorite part when I was younger... I would staple together clothing out of felt from
hobby lobby for my stuffed animals. I remember for one stuffed animal in particular my little bear — her name is Kelly Bear — I made a pink felt outfit for her and I was the proudest of it ever.
“I would also get into my moms sewing stuff, and I would say, ‘I’m gonna sow paper for fun.’ But it took me forever to learn how to sew. It took me ‘til senior year of high school because I just didn’t really have time to sit down, and I tried asking mom but she’s not really good at teaching, so I had to wait’ ‘til I had an opportunity to take a fashion class in high school, and that’s when I really got my grapple on it and have been doing it as a hobby ever since... and looked into it for college.”
Q: What would you say to anyone starting out like you?
A: “Just go for it, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Because it takes a while to get good at sewing, and it’s really easy to make mistakes, but if you can just sew something together that’s still really good. I think everyone should learn at least one stitch to do by hand to repair clothes because it’s really simple and easy to learn and then you don’t have to throw something away just cause it has a hole, and I think that’s really important.”
from 1
“KD wasn’t on my radar at all,” Giles said. “But by pref round, I knew it felt like home. That simple piece of paper changed the trajectory of my college career and honestly my life.”
Payne’s path looked different. She knew from early in the process where she wanted to be.
“Zeta was the only place I felt like I could be myself, they were just real,” she said. “I did a suicide bid… I had to hope that Zeta would give me one.”
The risk paid off, but it was not guaranteed. National Panhellenic Conference data shows that around 72% of women receive bids from their first-choice sorority, but those who submit only one option, known as a “suicide bid,” can be left unmatched.
That thin line between hope and disappointment makes the moment of running home even more powerful. What matters more than the bid card itself, the women said, is what comes after.
For Giles, sisterhood is what makes it different from any other student organization.
“It was more community over competition,” she said. “We rise by lifting others. When I got there, Molly Kate said, ‘Gracie, you’re home.’”
Kellogg echoed that feeling, saying that belonging does not mean avoiding challenges.
“Sisterhood means being held accountable, and feeling wanted,” she said. “Running home felt like everyone was so connected… even though we were all in different houses.”
Payne described it as something that stretches far past the excitement of Bid Day.
“It felt like running home to my mom or my best friend,” she said. “Sisterhood means someone who’s in your corner, when you’re at 100% or running on 2% during finals week.”
Research shows those bonds matter. A study published in the Journal of College Student Development found sorority women report higher levels of social support and are more likely to stay enrolled in college than non-affiliated students. It is one reason Panhellenic chapters continue to emphasize the personal growth side of Greek life, pushing back against stereotypes that reduce sororities to parties
and social status.
That push is visible at OSU. As of 2024, Panhellenic includes 12 chapters with nearly 4,000 members, making it one of the largest student communities on campus. Recruitment has shifted toward what officials call “valuesbased conversations,” encouraging women to focus less on image and more on long-term connections.
The message resonates with new members like Giles, who said the most important lesson she learned from the week was that Greek life is not meant to pit women against each other. Kellogg agreed, saying she felt support not just within her own chapter but across the Greek community.
“Even when I was running home to KD, it felt like everyone was so connected, no matter where you ended up,” she said. “That sense of shared belonging reflects the growing focus on unity across chapters, a recognition that sisterhood can exist both inside and outside the letters.”
The numbers also show how significant the community has become. OSU Greek Life estimates that between 25% and 30% of undergraduate women are part of a Panhellenic sorority. Nationally, studies show Greek women often report higher GPAs than their peers and benefit from alumni networks that stretch far beyond campus. Payne said those broader benefits mattered less to her than the simple fact that she felt accepted.
“Zeta was the only place I could be myself,” she said. “They just made me feel real.”
Looking ahead, OSU’s Panhellenic community is expected to keep growing, both in size and diversity. Members say the evolution of recruitment reflects a larger cultural shift. Payne described sisterhood as honest and true friendship, the kind of support that comes not just from family but from the people you choose and who choose you back. Kellogg said she wanted accountability, faith and connection and already feels she has found that. For Giles, the experience can be summed up in one phrase.
“It was more community over competition,” she said.
In the end, that is what Bid Day comes down to for the women who live it. Not the noise, not the chants, not the letters painted on poster board. It is the quiet relief in knowing you have found your place.
Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega celebrating Bid Day together hand-in-hand.
Caden James STAFF REPORTER
A new member of Kappa Kappa Gamma runs home, while members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity cheer her on.
Members of several sororities celebrating Bid Day together, showcasing the community that exists among different Greek Houses.
Alpha Omicron Pi sisters walking down University Ave. during rush week in “Bid Day” birthday shirts.
New members Zeta Tau Alpha celebrate conclusion of rush on Bid Day.
“After anything happened to any one in my friend group — good or bad — whether it was getting a new apartment, new job opportunities, a death in the family, finishing the first week of school, failing or passing a class… our first thought was to celebrate at College Bar,” Alford said. “I have so many good memories from spending a lot of our time there. Even while I was behind the bar, my friends would sit up there just so we could be together.”
When the opportunity arose for College Bar to move where Newbar was located, it felt like a second chance. Now, College Bar is facing the same reality. The owners announced on social media this week that the bar will be closing permanently after serving college students and community members for 15 years.
As hard as it is to face the reality of the bar closing for Alford, it didn’t come as much of a shock as the first time it closed on The Strip in early 2024.
“I was glad when they decided to rebrand Newbar into College Bar, but we had not been getting as much traction due to being so far from The Strip,” Alford said. “I was honestly not too shocked to find out that they decided to sell.”
The closing of College Bar’s doors is also affecting Stillwater’s more diverse community members. Nicolle Bonmann, an OSU graduate student from Brazil, met with other Brazilians at the bar every Friday.
Bonmann’s drink of choice was an espresso martini. The bartenders brewed the espresso, instead of pouring it from a can. It reminded
Lifestyle
Bonmann and her Brazilian friends of home as Brazil is the leading producer of coffee.
Bonmann said it got to the point where the second they walked in the door, the bartenders already knew who they were and what they wanted to drink. Finding a new spot is almost unthinkable for Bonmann.
“College Bar closing is like losing some of the moments we had there,” Bonmann said. “Moments we’re never gonna go back to.”
The group of friends are lost to finding a new bar. As Prime Place residents, College Bar is closer than The Strip and is their comfort spot for not only coffee-centered cocktails, but unique experiences.
Bonmann and her friends made a habit of participating in Karaoke and the bar’s other events. From live performances and trivia night to dry ice shots and drag queen shows, the bar welcomed people from all walks of life.
“We could be free and be ourselves there,” she said. “No bar was more like, ‘You’re free to be yourself and come the way you are.’”
Coming the way you are is exactly what drag queens and members of the LGBTQIA+ community did at College Bar, which is a rarity in Stillwater’s mostly-conservative community. The bar will remain open Friday for live music and for one more game day Aug. 28 before the place that feels like home for Bonnmann and several others closes for good.
“College Bar had a younger crowd — full of life — and the only bar in town that held drag shows,” Alford said. “I feel they will miss out on the inclusion and diversity of the patrons that made College Bar a place where you felt safe to be yourself.”
Guide to your first game day in Boone Pickens Stadium
Mitchell STAFF REPORTER
So, you’ve made it through the first week of classes. Maybe you’ve skipped a few meals or already skipped a few classes — don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.
What you probably won’t be skipping is your first Cowboy football game. If that’s the case, here’s a guide to everything you need to know.
Parking
If possible, try to avoid needing to park. If you live in a dorm or a walkable distance to campus, walking is your best bet. If you have a friend who lives in a dorm or a walkable distance to campus, meet up with them. When you walk, you avoid having to navigate the thousands of people traveling around Stillwater. Just remember to check both ways before crossing any streets, especially on game day.
If you do end up needing to park, things will be a little tricky. Most parking around the stadium becomes Posse Parking, which means you won’t be able to park there. There are plenty of businesses and homes who rent out their parking lots or driveways for varying prices, but those prices can get steep.
Seating
Student sports passes use a first-come, first-serve system for seating. There are typically lines forming at the student gate (Gate 4 on the northwest side of BPS) two hours before kickoff and just after The Walk. You shouldn’t have to get there any earlier than that if you want to pick options for seating, and student gates will open 90 minutes before kickoff.
When you get through the student gate, the student sections are nearby. Sections 321-329B will be up the stairs, sections 218-223B are best accessed straight ahead when you walk in and sections 109-116 are straight ahead and down the stairs.
The only seats in these sections you can’t take are the first row in section 109-116, as these are reserved for the Paddle People. However, they should already be there.
If you’re with a group, try to stay together until the game starts and most people have found their seats. Telling people there is someone sitting in a spot is typically enough for them to move on and find another seat but not always.
Once you are comfortable with your seats, you may get hungry or have to use the restroom. Make sure
someone stays with your seat if you want it available when you come back.
Food and restrooms
We’ll start with the easy part. If you need to use the restroom, there are restrooms scattered around the concourse. With minimal walking, you should find one pretty easily. Food is pretty easy as well with plenty of options around the Stadium, such as Freddie’s, ChickFil-a and Mazzio’s. You can use your meal plan if you have one.
Most people get food at halftime. If you don’t want to miss a second of the game, you can go then; just know the lines will be long. Timeouts are another good chance to get food and eliminate wait times and missed moments of the game.
However, if you’re at your seat and need food more than you need to see the Cowboys get a first down, the lines will be shorter when the game is going on.
Stay hydrated
Just because plenty of people pass out from dehydration every season doesn’t mean you should strive to be one of them. Drink water.
There are water stations around the stadium, and when you buy food get a water bottle for yourself too.
Thursday troubles
This year, the Cowboys take the field on a Thursday. Maybe your professors canceled classes because of game day. If so, you can get on with your day, this section won’t mean much to you. For those still reading, I’m sorry, as things will be a little more complicated for you.
If you have an afternoon class, try and wear your game day outfit to campus so you won’t have to worry about getting ready. If you feel a little silly or self-conscious, save your fancy fit for a different day when you can take part in more festivities. Just know there will be plenty of people on campus and around town dressed in America’s Brightest Orange with Pistol Pete stickers on their faces, so you’ll fit right in.
You will probably want to have a clear bag already packed if you plan on bringing one. After class, you can do a quick bag exchange with your backpack at your dorm or house and you are ready to go. Follow the rest of the tips above, and you should be good to go.
Just remember to practice your best “Go Pokes” and to “Bring the Rowdy.”
Sam
Bryson Thadhani
Games in Boone Pickens Stadium are an integral part of the student experience at Oklahoma State.
Lifestyle
Lights on Stillwater connects students to local community
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Showing up with only $1 in your wallet and leaving with an abundance of free stuff may only be legal at Lights on Stillwater.
Hundreds of students gathered around Boone Pickens Stadium Wednesday night with either a $1 or a food item donation for Pete’s Pantry to attend the Student Government Association’s annual event.
Gathering a bag of free cups, coupons, pens and various items is not its only purpose. In its 40th year, the mission is still the same: to connect local businesses, community and campus resources to college students.
One nonprofit in town — Stillwater Life Services — used Lights on Stillwater as an opportunity to educate young people about STI testing and access to pregnancy resources. A nurse at SLS, Allie Essary, said college students are their main clientele, making the event the perfect place for them to be.
“Sexual health has a stigma around it, and it feels kind of embarrassing to talk about really sensitive stuff like that, but it’s really important,” Essary said. “I think it’s something that’s a part of everyone’s life, if we really think about it.”
Pregnancy tests are free at the clinic and STI testing is at a reduced cost. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but on its website, a nurse is
available 24/7. The nonprofit prefers clients to make an appointment, but walk-ins are available.
“We’re a safe place to come and talk about getting tested,” she said.
Other vendors were looking to expand their client base. Several salons and local businesses were in attendance, offering coupons and price lists. Victoria Griffin, a cosmetologist at Hello Gorgeous Salon & Spa, said the salon has been around for decades and self-promotion helps keep it afloat.
“We work as a company, but
we also promote ourselves as barbers and cosmetologists,” she said.
Longstanding business and gym — Heavenlee Aerial Arts & Fitness — located in Perkins attended Lights on Stillwater for the first time, looking to bring in more people as its class sizes have lowered. The gym incorporates pole dancing, Lyra (aerial hoop) training, aerial silks and flexibility training to create a unique fitness atmosphere.
Kate Reynolds, a volunteer for the gym, said the classes are different than regular workouts but are a good
way to learn about yourself and grow. Classes are also inclusive and beginnerfriendly.
“The reason that I love it is because it’s a workout that doesn’t feel like a workout,” she said. “You’re not thinking about necessarily lifting weights or hitting a certain goal. You’re more thinking about being pretty or getting stronger.”
The gym also offers weight loss classes that focus on traditional weight lifting and body strength.
Student organizations and clubs use the large crowd of
students as an opportunity to promote themselves. Smaller clubs, such as the Mercury Robotics club, attend in hope to expand. The current members are mainly engineering majors, but club President Daniel Newton encourages any major to join.
“We’re a smaller club, and we’re really close,” Newton said. “So if you come, we’ll sweep you in.. we’ll take you in if you want to do our coding or anything that you’re interested in. We want to push you to learn more about that and just get better.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
Local businesses and campus organizations come together to introduce themselves to the student body each fall at Lights on Stillwater.
First day of school
Photos by Chance Marick
Students gather in front of the Edmon Low Library each fall to take first-day-of-school pictures to post on social media, send to family members and share with friends.
