Notebook: Robertson’s ‘Surreal’ Journey, Bowman’s Tough Spot, Presley ‘A Dog’

STILLWATER — The Cowboys are headed to Waco this weekend still in search of their first Big 12 win of the season.

Oklahoma State plays Baylor at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in McLane Stadium. OSU players met with reporters after their team’s Monday practice. Here are three things that stood out.

Robertson’s ‘Surreal’ Journey

Parker Robertson is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound former walk-on, and he had double-digit tackles as his Cowboys nearly pulled off an upset this past weekend in Provo.

Robertson joined the program ahead of the 2021 season. He didn’t get in at all that year, but as a redshirt freshman in 2022, he was already doing enough to get on the field. Robertson played in 12 of the Cowboys’ 13 games that season, finishing the year with seven tackles.

In 2023, he was given a little bit more. He was a key cog on the Cowboys’ special teams with his biggest play of the year coming against West Virginia when he recovered a muffed punt that set up a go-ahead score for the Cowboys.

Special teams was on it! 🤩@Parker_823 pic.twitter.com/hUKEsbRBYu

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 22, 2023

He finished the season with 12 tackles, and his teammates voted Robertson a season captain. That led to him being put on scholarship this offseason.

After making 11 tackles and intercepting a pass against BYU, Robertson is up to 24 tackles this season. Not too shabby for a kid who paid to go to school to start his career.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Robertson said. “If you asked senior in high school Parker, he wouldn’t have thought he would be in this situation. So, just like the constant grind, effort and the time that I put in, it’s definitely a surreal moment, and I just can’t wait to keep pushing forward.”

Springfield ‘Proud’ of How Bowman Handled Tough Spot

Alan Bowman has put the Cowboys in some tough spots this season, but against BYU, it was the Cowboys putting Bowman in a tough spot.

OSU’s seventh-year quarterback lost his job as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback after being pulled in two of OSU’s first three Big 12 games. That happened just for Garret Rangel, the new starter, to go down in the second quarter of the BYU game with an injury. That led to Bowman, who just publicly lost his job, to go back in.

Bowman led what should’ve been a game-winning drive in Provo before the OSU defense let up a late, gut-punch touchdown.

“I think he handled it perfectly,” right tackle Jake Springfield said. “He came back out there like he didn’t miss a beat. Was able to come in, we picked up where Garret left off. We were able to still move the ball, get a couple more scores. I’m just proud of the way he handled it. He’s a really tough guy. It was great to see him come in and just take over the reigns.”

Lofton Says Presley Is ‘A Dog’

Brennan Presley is just 27 catches away from tying OSU’s program record for receptions.

The Cowboys have had a lot of good pass catchers come through Stillwater over the years, but it’s getting to the point where it’s hard to argue a better slot receiver has played in America’s brightest orange than Presley.

Virginia Tech transfer slot receiver Da’Wain Lofton has got his first up-close look at Presley this season. A minor injury kept Lofton out at the beginning of the year, but over the last two games, he has caught five passes for 84 yards. Here’s what Lofton said of Presley.

“That guy’s a dog,” Lofton said. “Every day — comes to practice every day, makes great competitive catches. Goes in and never complains. Shoot, that guy, he’s a beast, man.

“He always wants to win. Losing, never wants to be second. Always wants to be first. He’s gonna go in there and get the job done every time his name is called.”