Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Cowboys taking steps to ensure COVID doesn’t derail bowl game Sam Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor
less we can’t find 11 players.” Four bowl games have been canceled across college football in response to COVID surges among various teams. The Cowboys are taking measures to ensure they are not the next victims. “We are masked up in meetings,” Gundy said. “We are masked up on buses. Our team meetings are outside.” Gundy said the meetings are held at tennis courts, and said the team is doing the best it can. The activities and opportunities that make a game like the Fiesta Bowl a reward for a successful season add an extra wrinkle that does not exist in a regularseason away game.
Oklahoma State has earned the right to play in one of the most important bowl games in school history. Playing, though, is no guarantee. Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said he and his staff is taking “the ultimate” precautions against COVID-19 head of No. 9 OSU’s PlayStation Fiesta Bowl game against No. 5 Notre Dame. “We want to play this game,” Gundy said. “We are going to play this game, un- See COVID on 4
Gone bowlin’
Abby Cage
A comprehensive look at OSU’s bowl history Dean Ruhl Sports Editor Oklahoma State has played a bowl game against World War II veterans. The Cowboys played in a game with attendance numbers so poor, it dissolved after one year. They’ve had a defensive lineman score a touchdown. They won a national championship crown that arrived 71 years later. They’ve played in a snow storm on Christmas Day in El Paso and against Eli Manning in his final collegiate game. Here is a comprehensive look at all 31, soon to be 32, bowl games OSU has competed in. Jan. 1, 1945: Cotton Bowl Oklahoma A&M (7-1) vs. TCU (7-2-1) In one of the most lopsided Cotton Bowls, A&M rushed the ball 60 times, resulting in Bob Fenimore finding the end zone twice, Jim Spavital, Joe Thomas and Mack Creage each scoring once, and the defense forcing two Horned Frogs’ turnovers. A&M accounted for 494 yards of offense, compared to TCU’s 105, as the Aggies started their bowl game history 1-0. FINAL: OSU 34, TCU 0 Fun fact: The Aggies lone loss this season came against the Norman Naval Air Station, created by the United States to expand training capacity for the Navy during World War II. Jan. 1, 1946: Sugar Bow No. 7 St. Mary’s (7-1) vs. No. 5 Oklahoma A&M (8-0) Guided by running back Bob Fenimore, who tallied two rushing touchdowns and one passing, the significantly larger Oklahoma A&M team dominated the Gaels to conclude an undefeated season. St. Mary’s quarterback Herman Wedemeyer threw four interceptions, and the Gaels lost two fumbles, leading to a Aggies claiming a national championship this year, albeit 71 years later. FINAL: OSU 33, St. Mary’s 13 Fun fact: Wedemeyer went on to become and actor and politician, appearing in the original Hawaii Five-O as detective “Duke” Lukela. Jan. 1, 1949: Delta Bowl Oklahoma A&M (6-3) vs. No. 17 William and Mary (6-2-2) W&M quarterback Tommy Korschcowski tossed two touchdown passes, and a 70-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Lou Creekmur resulted in the Aggies first bowl game loss. FINAL: William and Mary 20, OSU 0 Fun fact: The Delta Bowl disbanded after this game, only the second iteration of the game, due to
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poor attendance numbers. This remains William and Terry Miller rushed for 173 yards and four Mary’s only bowl win to date. touchdowns, three in Dec. 13, 1958: Bluegrass Bowl the third quarter, resulting in the Cowboys pullFlorida State (7-3) vs. No. 19 Oklahoma ing away from BYU in the second half to once again State (8-2) defeat the Cougars. The singular iteration of the Bluegrass Bowl FINAL: OSU 49, BYU 21 saw the No. 19 Cowboys defeat the unranked SemiFun fact: The Tangerine Bowl (now called noles in front of a sparse crowd of 3,152. The bowl Camping World Stadium), had recently renovated the only pulled in $18,132 in income, leading to its disstadium to add a 3,600-seat upper deck on the east solution after just one year. side, which violently swayed when fans would stand FINAL: OSU 15, Florida State 6 up and cheer. The controversy would lead to the disFun fact: This was the first national telecast mantling of the seats several years later. ABC broadcaster Howard Cosell called, and the first nationally televised Florida State game. QUICK FACTS Dec. 28, 1974: Fiesta Bowl Oklahoma State (6-5) vs. No. 17 BYU (7-3-1) The Cowboys returned to the postseason for the Overall record: 20-11 first time in 16 years, upsetting BYU in the fourthBiggest win: 48 points (vs. Wyoming in ever Fiesta Bowl. After OSU defensive lineman Phil 1988 Holiday Bowl) Dokes injures BYU quarterback Gary Sheide, the game turns into a defensive battle, with the Cowboys Biggest loss: 28 points (vs. Ole Miss in 2016 pulling away on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Sugar Bowl) Leonard Thompson to Gerald Bain. Most common opponent: Ole Miss (Three FINAL: OSU 16, BYU 6 – 2004, 2010 and 2016) Fun fact: Sheide suffered a strained ligament in his left shoulder, and declared in the locker room Current streak: 16th straight bowl appearfollowing the game, “I think we would have won the ance (ranks seventh in the country). game if I had played.” Mike Gundy bowl record: 10-5 Dec. 12, 1976: Tangerine Bowl BYU (9-2) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State (8-3) The Cowboys and Cougars met again, this time See Bowlin’ on 3 in Orlando, Florida. OSU running back