‘We Told Him Just Keep His Head Up’: OSU Players Forgive Wyatt Young for Penalty, Praise the Intensity Which Fuels So Many TDs

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STILLWATER — Receiver Wyatt Young regrets his costly penalty following his go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of Saturday’s loss to Iowa State.

That much is clear based on the actions he’s taken since the game ended, including a public apology on social media that appears to very much be the tip of the iceberg.

“Wyatt’s a great kid that cares a lot about his teammates,” coach Eric Morris said. “Longest text from him afterwards, showed up early in my office, wanting to address the team first thing. He’s a great kid that made a mistake, and he’ll learn from it, and he’ll grow from it.”

Morris made it clear, unprompted, during his Tuesday morning press conference, that his stance on the penalty hasn’t changed even though he appreciates Young’s response to it.

“Do I still think that was a selfish penalty? I do,” Morris said, answering his own question. “Do I think we’re a really good team with Wyatt on the field? I do. He’s a kid that we got to learn from those mistakes. He’s old enough to not let the emotions get the most of him in those situations.”

Left guard Johnny Dickson implied that it is the entire offense’s responsibility to make sure no one gets caught up in the emotions of the moment the way Young did Saturday night when he walked toward the crowd after his score.

“That’s the thing, like, we don’t all put it on Wyatt because all of us are running with him to go celebrate, too,” Dickson said. “It’s a whole thing that the offense looks at each other, and we all know that every time we go score, that we celebrate as a team, and we get off the field.”

Fellow receiver Justin Bowick said he and other receivers checked on Young since the game.

“He was pretty on himself,” Bowick said. “We told him just keep his head up, things like that. After Saturday, just put it behind him. He’s been focused on this Saturday.”

On Tuesday, Morris said Young might be the most competitive player on the roster.

Usually that fire is a good thing.

“I’ve known Wyatt since he came into college, since he was like 18 years old,” Dickson said. “And Wyatt has been the same person since he stepped foot on campus (at North Texas). He plays with very, very high intensity.

“We know it, and we love it. That’s how we want Wyatt to play. We always want Wyatt to play with intensity. We’re not bashing him because at the end of the day, he scored that touchdown before it happened, and that’s what he does. Like, Wyatt Young, that man’s a dog. Like, truly, he’s a dog.”