Oklahoma State football: Christmas Eve leftover news, notes and nuggets

A holiday present to you, the readers. Here are some leftover nuggets from OSU’s bowl press conference last week:

Gundy hopes DT Castleman will return for Heart of Dallas Bowl

Starting defensive tackle James Castleman’s absence was noticeable in Oklahoma State’s 41-34 loss to Baylor in its regular season finale. The Bears gashed the Cowboys for 319 rushing yards, including a 76-yarder for a touchdown by Lache Seastrunk.

Entering that game, OSU had ranked 22nd in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 124.36 yards per game. Cowboy coach Mike Gundy has often attributed that to the development of Castleman in his sophomore season, as well as the addition of Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Calvin Barnett.

But with nearly a month to recover, Gundy said he’s hopeful Castleman will return for the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Purdue.

“But he very well could not play,” Gundy said. “We won’t know (until closer to the game).”

If Castleman cannot go, Anthony Rogers would likely get the start.

Gundy not taking bowl berth for granted

Following last season’s Fiesta Bowl win, an appearance in the Heart of Dallas Bowl could be an understandable letdown for OSU.

Gundy admits his team was disappointed when his team slipped to the bowl that picks eighth in the Big 12 pecking order, despite finishing tied for third in the final conference standings. But the coach said the Cowboys are now past that, partly because he won’t let the players forget that a bowl game is a privilege.