Cowboys' QB recruit still considering options

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, left, speaks with Seth Newton during practice at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

ter waiting for their chartered plane to be de-iced, the Cowboys left Will Rogers World Airport at 11:45 a.m.

Numerous players arrived in Tempe on their own after being given four days off for the holidays. A few players were delayed, but OSU officials confirmed 106 out of 107 players reported for the first practice Wednesday night at Corona del Sol High School. The only person who missed was redshirt freshman Adrian Moore, who will not play in the game.

Indiana doesn't arrive until today. The Cowboys will practice from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. today.

•Climate change: The high temperature in Phoenix on Wednesday was 66 degrees, a stark contrast to snow in Oklahoma.

"My three sons have short sleeves on,” Gundy said after OSU's chartered flight landed. "It's nice to be here. My 11-year-old son Gavin has checked out the weather. He sees upper 50s and low 60s, so that's swimming weather and short sleeves for those guys.”

•Underrated defense? Since Indiana is ranked 68th nationally in total defense, 76th against the pass, and OSU is ranked ninth nationally in total offense, many expect the Cowboys to score a lot of points.

"I don't think their defense gets enough credit,” Gundy said. "I'm more of an offensive coach, so I watch more tape on that side of the ball. They've done a great job of being in the right spot. They play hard. They run to the football and they tackle. We have a lot of respect for what they've accomplished.”

•Healthy squad: Other than senior cornerback Martel Van Zant, out with torn ankle ligaments, OSU should be healthy for Monday's Insight Bowl. That includes wide receiver Adarius Bowman, who missed the final two regular-season games with a sprained knee.

"He's been doing very well,” Gundy said. "We're a healthy football team right now.”

By Mike Baldwin

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