Savage could challenge Hamilton at RB

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Others to watch
Dantrell Savage is one player who could surprise for OSU this season. Here are three others:

Tight end Brandon Pettigrew: Pettigrew had a good spring. He is the prototype NFL tight end who has a chance to blossom this season.

Defensive back Andre Sexton: Sexton was injured last season but had a good spring. The redshirt freshman showed he can contend for a starting job.

Wide receiver Anthony Parks: Adarius Bowman and D'Juan Woods will be the names everyone is talking about, but Anthony Parks might be a sleeper. A possession-type receiver, Parks isn't flashy, but he can make plays. Another who had a good spring.

By Mike Baldwin

Sizing up the schedule
Sept. 2: Missouri State, 6 p.m.

Coached by former Kansas coach Terry Allen.

Sept. 9: Arkansas State (Little Rock, Ark.), 6:05 p.m.

Indians played in zero bowl games in 20th century, but they played in New Orleans bowl last year.

Sept. 16: Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m.

Will have to replace starting quarterback Danny Embick, who threw for 1,531 yards for 2-9 Owls.

Sept. 23: At Houston, 8 p.m.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb has passed former Cougar QB great David Klingler as the school's leader in total offense.

Oct. 7: at Kansas State, TBA

Former Ponca City standout Devin Anderson, after two seasons at Northeastern A&M, might start for 'Cats at defensive back.

Oct. 14: at Kansas, TBA

New sound to Jayhawk football; color analyst Max Faulkenstein retires after 60 years in the booth.

Oct. 21: vs. Texas A&M, 6 p.m.

Pretty sorry non-conference lineup: Citadel, Louisiana-Lafayette, Army and Louisiana Tech.

Oct. 28: vs. Nebraska, 6 p.m.

UCLA on Cornhuskers' schedule in next five years; series with Penn State being discussed.

Nov. 4: at Texas, TBA

Longhorns don't leave the state of Texas until Oct. 21 -- week eight.

Nov. 11: vs. Baylor, 6 p.m.

Best player might be a punter: Daniel Sepulveda averaged more than 46 yards per punt last year.

Nov. 18: at Texas Tech, TBA

Tech playing on Field Turf this season, its first season on something other than Astro Turf since 1970.

Nov. 25: vs. Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m.

Running back Adrian Peterson, quarterback Rhett Bomar named to Maxwell watch list for the nation's top player.

By Andrew Gilman

Maybe people are excited about him because when Savage signed to play at OSU in February after playing at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, coach Mike Gundy suggested he could come in and play right away. That’s because Savage has 4.3 speed and ran for more than 2,000 yards in his two seasons at Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, there’s Hamilton.

“I don’t know why people aren’t talking about him,” Fedora said. “I guess people want the flash, but Mike’s not a flashy guy. He just gets it done and is never looking for a lot of recognition. He’s a quiet kid who takes pride in what he does in an unselfish way.”

Fedora said if the season started today, Hamilton would be the starter. Of course, the season doesn’t start today, and when practice commences in August, the real decisions will be made.

“We’ll see who is going to get the majority of the snaps,” Fedora said. “Today, it’s Hamilton. But Hamilton knows if he’s not productive, others will be on the field. That’s what competition is all about.”

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