Former UCO Duo Taking Over Key Roles for Oklahoma State Offense

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STILLWATER — There was a lot to celebrate in Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday night as Oklahoma State rather emphatically put its foot down on Colorado to secure a Homecoming win that put the Cowboys back in the top 25 and in prime position for the Big 12 race.

However, for running back William Mason, the stakes were a little more personal, highlighted by a 3-yard rushing touchdown which put the Cowboys up 13 points in the third quarter and left Mason feeling like he was on top of the world.

“That’s honestly how I felt,” Mason said. “I mean, I got in the end zone, and shoot, I don’t think anything was going to end up stopping me getting in there that play. So I just let all my emotions out right there. I was really, really excited to get in the end zone.”

That wasn’t the only moment that stood out for Mason, who played three years at the D-II level for Central Oklahoma.

At times, it felt so very clear that “we made it” whenever he took the field alongside tight end Oscar Hammond, who played at UCO with Mason and made his own long-awaited Cowboy debut at Houston the week before.

“I’ll run out on the field, and I look to my left and just see Oscar there, and it’s like that’s a crazy feeling just to know like hey, I know that guy,” Mason said. “Like we go way back, and we’re both touching the field right now, so you know it’s great, man.”

Both guys overlapped at UCO during the 2023 season. That season, Mason’s first, saw him finish as RB5, rushing six times for 65 yards and a touchdown while adding five tackles and a punt return on special teams.

Hammond was already a star in the making, finishing second in receiving yards (464) and receptions (33) and tying for the lead in receiving touchdowns with four.

The guy ahead of him across the board also made his way to Oklahoma State, as 2025 Cowboy receiver Terrill Davis led that UCO team with 43 receptions for 578 yards and four touchdowns.

Not to be left out, current Cowboy linebacker Jack Puckett finished second with 62 total tackles and led UCO with 10.5 tackles for loss that season.

“It’s great man,” said Hammond when asked about Mason’s growing role. “I love that kid. He’s a great kid. He works hard. He has a big role for this team, and he knows his role, and he does really good each and every day, so I’m really happy for the kid. Him, Jack Puckett and (kicker) Joe Kim (who joined UCO in 2025) — all UCO guys. So, love those guys.”

Hammond’s role was on the rise before starting tight end Carson Kolb was seen on crutches during the fourth quarter on Saturday. Hammond finished with 38 snaps against the Buffs after seeing 16 at Houston.

“Praying for my guy Carson right now,” Hammond said when asked about his return to the field following an offseason injury. “He’s hurting right now and just very thankful to have this opportunity again and just to be out playing with the guys.”

It would seem the Cowboys’ offense could take a strong Broncho flavor as Mason, too, seems here to stay. Morris confirmed on Tuesday that Ayo Adeyi wasn’t held out on Saturday due to injury concerns, but rather out of respect for what the team had in Mason.

“I wouldn’t say that he’s jumped him (Adeyi) or anything like that,” Morris said when asked about the RB2 spot. “I do think Mason continues to earn the right to play more and more ball around here.”

Morris described the 5-11, 226-pound Mason as the team’s strongest back and added that the Cowboys probably should have found him a role on offense earlier.

For his part, Mason made it clear on Tuesday that he’s thrilled with whatever role the coaches have in store for him this season.

“Being at D-II, I think honestly, it just, it just made me want it even more,” Mason said. “So being able to get that offer from a big school like OSU or something, I took that chance, and now I’m trying to make the best of it every play I get.”