Thursday, November 4, 2021
Cowboys’ appeal denied, ineligible for NCAA Tournament
Dean Ruhl Sports Editor Mike Boynton doesn’t like flights to Dallas. A message from the NCAA regarding Oklahoma State’s appeal on its infractions penalty always seemed to pop up during those plane rides. On Tuesday, it was no different, but this email wasn’t for a teleconference with the NCAA, instead it was an update. The lengthy battle had come to an end. OSU’s penalties would be upheld. The quip about Dallas was the lone joke the often-cheery Boynton made during Wednesday’s press conference to discuss how the NCAA had upheld its punishments against OSU, making the Cowboys ineligible to compete in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
“I’m disappointed, disgusted, appalled and frustrated,” Boynton said. “Somewhere in Indianapolis is a group of people celebrating.” Boynton, who sat through the majority of the conference fighting back tears, at times a stray one rolling down his cheek, was joined by athletic director Chad Weiberg. Weiberg wasn’t distraught like Boynton, instead portraying indignation for the NCAA rulings. “To use this flawed and inconsistent process to take away the opportunity for postseason and the NCAA Tournament from student athletes who had nothing whatsoever to do with this case proves to me that the national office had chosen to weaponize the NCAA Tournament against the very membership that has turned into the lifeblood of the NCAA,” Weiberg said. Both continued to use a scorched-earth approach to the conference, continuing to berate the NCAA for its ruling in the case. At one point in Boynton’s opening statement, he listed each person involved in the decision by name.
The infractions in question were committed under former coach Brad Underwood in 2016, when then assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted bribes to guide NBA prospects to certain schools, managers or financial advisers. Weiberg pointed out how the FBI had conducted an investigation, and closed it, in half the time it took for the NCAA to conclude this investigation. The NCAA’s decision had been prolonged, with the Cowboys waiting nearly two years for a ruling in the case. OSU, who heavily cooperated with the NCAA during the investigation, was kept on the outskirts of the process, as coach Mike Boynton rarely receiving insight on how what the potential decision would be. OSU regularly aided in the investigation, being as open as could be, but Weiberg and Boynton said it ended up being detrimental. Weiberg said this will affect how they handle the NCAA in the future. “I hope that we never have to go through anything like this again,” Weiberg said. “If we do, we will do things
Flying high
Courtesy of OSU Athletics
differently.” Evans, was sentenced to three months in prison on Jun. 7, 2019 for his role in the scheme. “If we want to want to get serious about playing on a level playing field,” Weiberg said. “Let us monitor and punish the ones that knowingly break the rules we have in place and not student athletes who were seventh graders when it happened.” According to CBS Sports, the NCAA also upheld all other original punishments. A three-year probationary period is effective immediately, a scholarship reduction of three spots over an undisclosed amount of time. Recruiting restrictions will also be placed on the Cowboys. “I really haven’t thought (the scholarship reduction) much about that part of it,” Boynton said. “Obviously, recruiting is a big deal to us and what we do. It is certainly something we will have to consider as we move forward.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Cowboys arranging for difficult test against West Virginia Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter
success to the offensive line and running back play. “... [number four] is a good back, he’s running hard,” said Gundy. “They Oklahoma State will travel more tell him at times, it looks like to me that than 1,000 miles to Morgantown, West [they say] ‘we’re going to give it to you Virginia to battle the Mountaineers this and we need you to find a way to get weekend. four yards.’ Drops his pads, runs through West Virginia is 4-4 this season, people and [number 24] comes in, backs but Cowboy coach Mike Gundy believes him up and he’s got a little bit of side to the Mountaineers are a team to be reck- side movement in him. oned with. Gundy said he had nothing “I think this is the best offensive but respect for a team he calls the best line, at this point, in the league. They’re 4-4 team in the country. really playing well up front, they don’t “[West Virginia’s] particularly even have a senior on the offensive line.” playing really really well at home,” Oklahoma State Cowboy back Gundy said. “Playing good defense, very Braden Cassity discussed the challenges disruptive, so we’ll have to really have and responsibilities he and his position a good practice and have good plans on group have against West Virginia. both sides of the ball, and get ready to “You know for us we have to run go out there and play on Saturday after- block, we have to pass block, we have to noon.” do it all,” Cassity said. “I see a veteran Gundy elaborated more on the 4-4 group that knows what they’re doing. Mountaineers and pointed out changes [They’re] strong, physical, they’re gonna they’ve made over the course of the be ready to go especially after last season that has led to success for West week’s game.” Virginia. OSU linebacker, Malcolm Rodri“They’re wanting to throw the guez talked about the difference playing ball more, in my opinion,” Gundy said. at Morgantown compared to the rest of “That’s where they’ve made improvethe Big 12. ments from an outsider looking in on “It gets pretty rowdy over there and some of the things they’ve done offenpretty cold,” Rodriguez said. “it’s a good sively. But, they’re very similar defenatmosphere, a good football atmosphere. sively, they’ve been pretty good defenIt’s gonna be a tough game, they’re a sively all year.” tough team, they’re very physical and I While Gundy pointed out that West can’t wait to play.” Virginia looks as if they’re having more sports.ed@ocolly.com success in the air, he also attributed
Abby Cage