Oklahoma State football: Cowboys celebrating Senior Day with an eye on the future

OSU FOOTBALL — Oklahoma State will say farewell to 18 seniors on Senior Day on Saturday as the Cowboys take on Texas Tech. But while OSU's seniors have done their part to contribute to this season's success, it's the youngsters that have OSU coach Mike Gundy excited about the future.

 
By Gina Mizell | Published: November 16, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

Oklahoma State's home finale Saturday afternoon against No. 23 Texas Tech will be a time bid farewell to some beloved Cowboys.

photo - OSU head coach Mike Gundy is pictured during a timeout during a college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
OSU head coach Mike Gundy is pictured during a timeout during a college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

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2012 OSU SENIOR CLASS

Isaiah Anderson, WR

A speedster whose final season has been hampered by a finger injury. 

Cooper Bassett, DL

A versatile lineman who has become a starter and fan favorite.

Brodrick Brown, CB

An All-Big 12 performer a year ago but still looking for his first interception of 2012.

DeJuan Davis, DL

A special teams contributor who has worked on both lines during his career.

Alex Elkins, LB

His journey from an open junior college tryout to starter for the Cowboys is a remarkable story.

Evan Epstein, C

A transfer from Air Force who became the starting center in his final season.

Tyler Fields, LB

A special teams contributor and key member of scout team.

Wes Harlan, H

Has never bobbled a snap during his Cowboy career.

Maurice Hayes, DL

A 300-pound interior lineman who has seen game action during his career.

Justin Horton, TE

A contributor on offense whose final season was cut short due to an injury sustained in the Iowa State game.

Jarid King, DL

A scout team member who has seen game action during career.

Andrae May, CB

Worked his way back from an ACL injury sustained during spring practice.

Nigel Nicholas, DE

Moved from tackle to his natural position of end this season and became a part-time starter.

David Paulsen, FB

Mostly a special teams contributor, but has played on offense during career.

Ryan Robinson, DE

A starter at end and arguably one of the most underrated Cowboys.

Jonathan Rush, OL

Returned for his sixth season as a starter at left guard.

Quinn Sharp, K/P

The reigning Big 12 Special Teams player of the year and perhaps the most valuable Cowboy.

Lane Taylor, OL

A staple on the offensive line and leads the team with 45 career starts.

Like Quinn Sharp, the kicking master and perhaps OSU's most valuable player. Or Brodrick Brown, the undersized-but-tenacious cornerback who earned the nickname “Bulldog.” Or Lane Taylor, the anchor of the offensive line who is expected to make his 46th career start Saturday.

But the celebration could really say more about the OSU program's future, and is another sign of the program Mike Gundy has built in Stillwater.

The Cowboys sit at 6-3 with three regular-season games to play, and every single touchdown has been scored (or thrown) by a player expected to return next season. Of 10 individual takeaways tallied by OSU this season, eight have come from non-seniors. And seven of the Cowboys' top 10 tacklers are expected back in 2013.

“It's not like what it would have been last year,” said coach Mike Gundy, referring to the departure of stars Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. “It was like, ‘Golly, all those guys are leaving?'

“There's a group of them leaving (this year), but there's a pretty strong group coming back.”

A strong group that includes youngsters like Josh Stewart, who has emerged as the Cowboys' prime receiving target and a versatile offensive weapon. Or former youngsters who are growing into veteran leaders like safety Daytawion Lowe, receiver Charlie Moore and linebacker Shaun Lewis. Even a three-man carousel with inexperienced quarterbacks has, for the most part, produced wildly positive results.

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