Notebook: Dillon Stoner Has a Message for Oklahoma State Fans

STILLWATER — The Cowboys’ entered their 2018 game against Iowa State at 4-1 before Brock Purdy and the Cyclones came to Boone Pickens Stadium and won in a shootout.

Oklahoma State again enters the Iowa State game with four wins, but the three losses and with the game being on the road makes this one feel more consequential, at least going in.

Mike Gundy had a different tone at his Monday media luncheon, and his players met with the media after practice Tuesday. Here are some things to track entering Saturday.

Stoner: ‘We hate to lose more than anyone’

Dillon Stoner’s streak of 31 straight games played with a catch snapped on Saturday.

It was minor compared to the loss the Cowboys’ suffered against Baylor.

Stoner is in his fourth year with the program. A redshirt junior, Stoner played four games on OSU’s 2016 team that finished 10-3 before sitting out the rest of the year with injury. Stoner had six touchdown receptions for OSU’s 10-3 team in 2017.

A four-time state champ in high school, Stoner has had to deal with something he hasn’t had to much in his football career: losing.

“Just stay behind us,” Stoner said. “We’re still figuring stuff out. It’s frustrating for us, as well. We hate to lose more than anyone. We come out and do this every day. Just stay with us, and we’ll get right back on track.”

Ones Going Against Ones in Practice

Needless to say, the Big 12 has been tough for the Cowboys early in their conference schedule.

OSU has seen Sam Ehlinger and Texas, the tortillas in Lubbock and a veteran Charlie Brewer and Baylor. So how are they prepping for Brock Purdy and Iowa State?

“We got a lot of reps against the original offense instead of the scout team,” corner Rodarius Williams said. “Giving us back the edge of going full speed all the time. I feel like we’re prepared. More tempo going against guys like Tylan Wallace, as far as me. Going against Chuba, a legit running back, legit wide receivers. They give us a legitimate look on the team.”

Amen Ogbongbemiga said the first-team defense and the first-team offense going against each other in practice is no new thing, but it means more this deep into the season.

“It gives us a sense of the game more, the speed of the game,” Ogbongbemiga said. “Scouts do a great job. I appreciate everything they do, but they’re not going to do the same as our first offense. They’re much faster, much more efficient, and it just gives a better feel for the game for us.

“We’ve been doing it for a while, but now we’re starting to embrace it more because we don’t get many live reps. Practices aren’t as long as they were in the fall, just little things. You gotta take advantage of those things because when Saturday hits, you’re flying full speed.”

Cowboys Get Second Shot at Purdy

Brock Purdy was introduced to the Big 12 in Stillwater last season.

In Boone Pickens Stadium last season, Purdy threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns, and he ran for another 84 yards and a score. The Cyclones have gone 9-2 in conference play since Purdy’s emergence.

“He’s a savvy quarterback,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said Monday. “He’s very good. I think he’s gonna play in the NFL. He’s somewhat unusually mobile for his size, and he’s strong for his size. I think he’s 215, 220, something like that. Doesn’t look that big. He’s a good football player and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.

“We drew the short straw last year, and they brought him out against us. He’s been in ever since, and he’s played well.”