Tracking Mike Gundy’s five preseason goals

by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com

This preseason, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy had five goals heading into the season. Here’s a look at those goals and how the Cowboys have progressed thus far.

1. Make sure the Cowboys are in good condition, yet avoid burnout

Analysis: Clearly the Cowboys camp was physical. OSU lost running back Kye Staley and linebacker Orie Lemon before the season even started.

But it was because preseason camp was physical that the Cowboys defeated Georgia. It was a physical football game against an SEC power and OSU was up to the challenge largely because Gundy had prepared them well for the opener.

Grade: B (just because of the season ending injuries to Staley and Lemon)

2. Name a legit backup quarterback

Analysis: Gundy named Alex Cate the backup quarterback before the season started. But he wasn’t exactly heaping praise on the junior from Salt Lake City when he did so.

Cate saw his first playing time against Grambling and promptly took a shot to the head and left the game. Brandon Weeden, the Cowboys’ No. 3 quarterback, came in and impressed. He threw two touchdown passes and showed surprising mobility on a 13-yard scramble. Weeden has great tools so it makes you wish you could have seen more of Cate since he beat out Weeden for the backup gig.

Grade: A. Gundy accomplished his goal of naming a backup and he said he wouldn’t name one just to name one so the naming of Cate meant there was separation between the two quarterbacks.

3. Get a great feel for new system put in place by new DC Bill Young

Analysis: The players seem to really enjoy playing for Young. The Cowboys defense has had its ups and downs but throughout all the games they’ve had positive stretches in which they showed signs of being a solid defense. Now it’s a matter of getting the consistency they are searching for.