Oklahoma

What does Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy think of college football technology, rule changes?

Published

2 months ago

June 9, 2024

Press Room

What does Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy think of college football technology, rule changes?

STILLWATER — Mike Gundy is never short on opinions.

And this offseason, college football is not short on impactful rule changes.

So the Oklahoma State coach has thoughts on the new technology and guidelines coming to the game this season.

The three most notable rule changes are:

Two-minute warning time stoppages at the end of each half, like the NFL.
In-helmet communication devices for a coach to speak to a player on the field.
Tablets on the sidelines for teams to review in-game video.

Particularly when it comes to using technology, Gundy has been a vocal proponent of improving what is available to college programs.

He suggested last year the need for an in-helmet communication system amid the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.

Still, he feels college football ventured into the technological advancement a little too softly with its newest change.

Here’s a look at what Gundy had to say about the three major changes at hand:

More: Some Oklahoma State football game times set, including early starts for Arkansas, Colorado

Communication device ‘doesn’t do much’

Following the NFL’s footsteps, college football will allow one player on each side of the ball to have an in-helmet communication device so a coach can speak directly to the player until the play clock reaches 15 seconds.

Gundy is excited to see the communication devices brought in, but he doesn’t believe the guidelines are broad enough to impact the game or stop sign stealing.

“In the NFL, they huddle up on both sides of the ball,” Gundy said. “Colleges don’t huddle up. So one ear piece in one player, in my opinion, doesn’t do much for college football on either side of the ball.

“One guy either has to yell what he hears to everybody, which is not gonna go over good in a big stadium with a college football environment, or you’re back to signaling. So I think it’s a step in the right direction, but I’m just not sure we took the step that’s gonna stop the issues that forced us into this situation.”

Gundy’s solution? Allow teams to use five communication devices at a time.

“Your quarterback gets one and your skill kids on offense get one,” Gundy said. “Then your quarterback’s always gonna tell the line what to do.

“On defense, you can give it to two safeties, your corners and one linebacker, and he becomes the quarterback on defense. That’s what I proposed to them, but I’m a process-of-elimination guy who solves problems really easily. I didn’t have to think that through. But they didn’t buy it.”

During spring practice, Gundy used the devices on both sides of the ball. Obviously, the quarterback was the option for the ear piece, but Gundy said the defensive decision was being toyed with.

“We haven’t made that decision yet,” he said. “We were hoping multiple ear pieces would be allowed. We’ve had the discussion about who gets it. I would guess with most college football teams, it’ll be a linebacker or safety.”

More: How Gavin Freeman’s Oklahoma State ties led him from OU to Cowboys football in portal

Tablets a needed upgrade

Again copying the NFL, college football will allow 18 video-capable tablets on each sideline for players and coaches to review video of the current game only.

On NFL television broadcasts, cameras regularly catch players using the handheld tablets on the sideline for a quick review session of the previous series.

“We’re migrating toward the NFL in everything we do,” Gundy said. “With the technology and the two-minute warnings, and paying players, we’re becoming a minor-league system of the NFL is basically what’s happening. Revenue sharing is right around the corner.

“Each position group and multiple other people — whoever they (the NCAA decision-makers) determine can have them — will use (tablets) just like you see in the NFL,” Gundy said. “When I would go watch my boys play high school football, they would come off to the sideline and go watch a 70-inch TV that they had wired up and they could go over their stuff.

“We’re just now getting to a tablet, but we can’t use anything other than just that tablet.”

More: How Oklahoma State football’s Parker Robertson learned he was no longer a Cowboys walk-on

Two-minute warning adds strategy

Another idea plucked from the NFL, college football will now have an automatic stoppage with two minutes left in each half.

It’s an interesting change, considering last year’s move to shorten the game by eliminating certain late-game clock stoppage situations.

The previous changes made it easier for a winning team to run down the clock, but this will provide an additional stoppage without a team using a timeout.

“There is some strategy involved in that,” Gundy said. “When you’re on defense and you’re trying to get the ball back, you’re trying to use your timeouts and force them to use the two-minute warning as another timeout when the offense doesn’t want to. So there’s some strategy that goes into it.

“Last year’s change, if you got behind by multiple scores with seven minutes to go in the game, it felt like the clock never stopped. You were really in trouble. I think that’s gonna stay the same with the exception of that one timeout.”

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Oklahoma

TULLAHASSEE: One of Oklahoma's oldest black towns reopens community center

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

TULLAHASSEE: One of Oklahoma's oldest black towns reopens community center

TULLAHASSEE, Okla. — The John Ford Community Center reopened in Tullahassee with a grand ceremony.

After 20 years, people in one of Oklahoma’s oldest black towns walked into the gym where they went to school. The John Ford Community Center reopened in Tullahassee with a grand ceremony.

John Ford Community Center reponed after two decades. Roz Williams says he went to elementary school there.
She said it was a blast from the past when she walked in.

“I can just remember the cheering of the crowd and everyone getting involved,” said Williams.

Tullahassee leaders said the reopening shows promise for one of Oklahoma’s oldest black towns. Williams said the new floors from the renovations could be just as bright as the town’s future.

“I think it’s possible for there to be a resurgence here. We can start with the community center, but I think it may draw more people back,” said Williams.

Town leaders said the space will be used for basketball tournaments and community events. They’ve been working since last year to raise money for renovations. Williams said the building’s name, John Ford, brings back memories.

“Doctor Ford, who was actually superintendent and principal when I attended here, just brought back a lot of memories of love.”
Even though Williams lives in Muskogee, she said she’ll be back for events.

“Oh, absolutely, because this is the foundation of the community right now,” said Williams.

To learn more about Tullahassee, click here.

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What is Oklahoma State’s Toughest Road Game in 2024?

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

What is Oklahoma State’s Toughest Road Game in 2024?

Oklahoma State has been one of the best home teams in the nation in recent years, but some road games have been a cause for concern.

Over the past three seasons, OSU has lost only two games at Boone Pickens Stadium, boasting multiple 10-win seasons and trips to the Big 12 Championship. Despite the team’s overall success, winning away from Stillwater has proved challenging at times for the Cowboys.

Coming off one of those 10-win campaigns, OSU is looking to compete for a Big 12 title and make the College Football Playoff for the first time. Of course, to achieve those goals, the Cowboys will need to play well away from home.

Winning on the road is typically not easy, but the Cowboys’ first matchup away from Stillwater is in Tulsa, so it will still feel a bit like a home game. Considering the Golden Hurricane’s struggles recently, the opponent will not do much to make the game interesting.

While the Cowboys will make a couple of trips to Texas next season to face Baylor and TCU, there are three road games that stand out as the most difficult.

3. BYU

A Friday night under the lights in Provo will be a challenge for OSU. After needing an 18-point comeback to win in double overtime against the Cougars in Stillwater last season, the Cowboys can’t afford to take this matchup lightly. With the Cowboys’ potential to come in as a top 15 team, it could be the rowdiest environment OSU faces all season.

2. Colorado

OSU will get an early kickoff on Black Friday in Boulder. With a short week after a potentially intense matchup with Texas Tech, the Cowboys could experience some hangover in this matchup.

While Colorado’s season could go a few different directions, if it enters the game with a bowl game still in reach, OSU could face a desperate team. Plus, OSU’s past three regular-season finales have all been one-possession games.

1. Kansas State

OSU will open conference play by hosting Utah, but the schedule does not let up after that, as the Cowboys will head to Kansas State a week later. Last season, OSU’s matchup against Kansas State sparked a five-game winning streak and helped turn the season around.

As both teams enter next season as Big 12 contenders, this is projected to be one of the most important conference matchups. Manhattan has also been a tough place for OSU to win, as the Cowboys lost 48-0 in their most recent trip in 2022.

READ MORE: Oklahoma State Set to Host 3-star In-State RB Kenny Golston

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Why Vernon Turner’s journey to 2024 Paris Olympics ‘means a lot to everyone’ in Oklahoma

Published

16 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Why Vernon Turner’s journey to 2024 Paris Olympics ‘means a lot to everyone’ in Oklahoma

When he leapt 7 feet and 6 inches into the air, breaking the NFHS high jump record as a senior at Yukon High School, Vernon Turner first began to think the Olympics could be in his future.

He had already earned an invitation to his first Olympic trials. But it rained. And while he executed perfect jumps during warmups, he had a poor showing and ultimately didn’t qualify.

Turner’s mother, Melonie Carpenter, knowing he was disappointed with how he performed, remembers the advice she offered at that moment.

“I’ve always told him,” Carpenter said, “‘Professionals are dedicated, and they put everything into whatever it is that they’re doing. And the ones that don’t put 100% in, or 150%, they don’t get to be in that little, small percentage.’”

When the Olympic flame is lit during the opening ceremony Friday, Turner will be the lone U.S. Olympian out of 592 athletes to represent Oklahoma. The former OU track and field standout who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but raised in Yukon, is one of the youngest high jumpers in the field.

Turner’s family will make the over 4,800-mile journey to Paris to watch him live out his dreams. While excited, Carpenter said they’re nervous to travel outside the U.S. as they haven’t done so outside of cruises, and she’ll be on the edge of her seat watching her son compete.

More: 2024 Paris Olympics: A look at each competitor with Oklahoma ties

“I’m going to be a nervous wreck, I’ll tell you right now,” Carpenter said. “Vernon said he’s not nervous at all. He’s excited. So I’m glad to hear him say that.”

Turner was originally an avid basketball player who was dunking by his freshman year of high school before his coach forced him to go out for track and field.

Carpenter has seen firsthand how hard her son has worked to cement himself as one of the best in the world.

Turner’s work ethic was instilled in him by Carpenter, who worked night shifts mostly seven days a week throughout his childhood. Turner was forced to grow up fast and developed immense dedication for high jumping during his freshman year of high school.

Turner opened up to The Oklahoman earlier this month about the mental hurdles he faced after finishing dead last at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. For the past year, he’s buckled down and focused on getting himself ready for the leading international sporting event.

“The mental game is tough,” Turner said. “Throughout my whole career, it’s been up and down. … Learning the mental part of it is so huge. You have to mature and just be able to focus on one thing. You can’t let moments be bigger than you.”

More: Mussatto: Imagining Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams on Team USA in 2028 Olympics

The past few weeks before heading abroad, Turner has been entrenched in final preparations and has worked with the Sooners’ vertical jumps coach Jerel Langley in Oklahoma.

“He’s really been working,” Carpenter said. “He’s been doing some different calisthenic things to get his ups going.”

Fans can follow Turner’s Olympic journey on the RIZZ app where he’ll be answering questions and giving updates along the way.

Turner’s family is anxious to get overseas to not only watch him compete on the world stage, but to watch him represent home.

“He’s amazing, he’s worked hard,” Carpenter said. “It means a lot to everyone in Yukon, people that have watched him since he was little because he started here in grade school, he’s been here his whole life. They’ve all kept up with him, it’s amazing.”