Gundy Impressed by Iowa State’s Joel Lanning in OU Victory

Don’t let the up-tempo offense and shiny uniforms fool you, Mike Gundy is a throwback. His mullet is for show in 2017, but it is also a callback to who I think Gundy wants to be as a coach — a short shorts-wearing, whistle-blowing, wishbone-running head man more concerned with the Rotary Club than his Twitter following.

So it should come as no surprise that Gundy loved what unfolded in Norman on Saturday when Iowa State beat Oklahoma. Senior linebacker/quarterback Joel Lanning (who Berry Tramel called maybe the Big 12’s best pure football player) had an unbelievable performance while filling in part-time for starter Jacob Park (who temporarily left the team recently) and continuing his duties at LB.

Lanning rushed 9 times for 35 yards, completed 2/3 passes for for 25 yards, and oh by the way also had eight tackles and a fumble recovery against one of the best offenses in college football.

Joel Lanning awarded a helmet sticker this morning for his performance on all sides of the ball!#RaiseTheStandard

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— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) October 8, 2017

This just in: Joel Lanning to also play Chief of Police upon return to Ames.

— Ames Police (@AmesPolice) October 7, 2017

Also, Joel Lanning just threw a lead block to spring Montgomery loose. Lanning’s official position on the roster should be: “football guy."

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 7, 2017

“If it wasn’t tied into Bedlam … I’m not a big social media guy, but I just wanted to commend the kid for what he did,” said Gundy on Monday. “I don’t care if he played the Giants. To play linebacker and get 8 tackles and then play quarterback. That’s a true team player, and I think that’s awesome for the kid. I don’t care who he plays.

“Just to be able to say, ‘OK, I’m playing linebacker. You need me at quarterback. I’m going to play quarterback, and I’m still going to make 8 tackles.’ That’s pretty special. His mom and dad ought to be proud of him. That’s pretty awesome.”