Live Blog: Following the state players in tonight’s Giants-Cowboys NFL opener

But besides that appealing proximity, there’s become another reason for the state’s football fans to jump on Dallas’ bandwagon. Over the past few seasons, through the draft and free agency, the Cowboys have loaded up on Oklahoma and Oklahoma State players.

Two Sooners — DeMarco Murray and James Hanna — and three Cowboys — Dez Bryant, Dan Bailey and Orie Lemon (practice squad) — don the navy blue star.

And with three of them (Murray, Bryant and Bailey) starting and expected to play a prominent role in tonight’s Cowboys-Giants season opener, I’ll be live blogging the ongoings from New York.
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This feed will be constantly updated throughout the night. Reload the page for the most recent developments:

6:30 p.m.: Word is Cowboys starting tight end Jason Witten is expected to play. That helps Dallas, but likely limits James Hanna’s role in the opener.

7:32 p.m.: Pregame ceremony just finished up. Kickoff minutes away. This is a huge season for Dez Bryant (trying to shake off external issues and show he’s an elite receiver) and DeMarco Murray (the Cowboys have labeled him as a feature back, can he be one?). Should be fun. Let’s get it started.

7:42 p.m.: And Dan Bailey is the first NFL player to touch the pigskin this year, booting it deep to the Giants. Crazy that a Southwest Covenant boy who had to walk-on at Oklahoma State is now kicking off the NFL season.

7:44 p.m.: New York goes three-and-out. Dez receives the punt and runs about 40 yards, horizontally, but gains zero. Dallas ball.

8:06 p.m.: Scoreless stalemate late in the first quarter. DeMarco Murray has 10 yards on three carries, but Dallas went away from him on fourth-and-inches. Gave it to the fullback and he was stuffed. Surprised they didn’t give it to the former Sooner. NYG ball.

End of the first quarter: Giants 0 – Cowboys 0

8:19 p.m.: Dez with his first catch of the season, an 18-yarder over the middle. Then, Dez proceeds to get up after being clearly tackled and run another 62 yards into the end zone. Not even the replacement refs are buying that one. Maybe Dez wanted to show the world he’s fully healthy.

8:22 p.m.: Romo’s first interception of the year. Now it feels like football season.

Score: New York 3 – Dallas 0 / Lawrence Tynes 22-yard field goal

8:33 p.m.: Plenty of Sooner sightings early on. DeMarco Murray with seven carries (only 11 yards) and James Hanna with his first professional catch, a 10-yarder to pick up a first down.

8:34 p.m.: Another Dallas drive stalls.

8:44 p.m.: Cowboys get the ball back and have something going. Dez with an athletic snag (what’s new?) on the sidelines followed by a nice Murray run. Two minute warning. Dallas at midfield.

8:47 p.m.: Romo to Dez, 38-yarder down to the NYG 15. Dan Bailey territory.