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Oliver has a Jones Fracture. How will Oklahoma State football replace Collin Oliver's pass rush? Here are some options

How will Oklahoma State football replace Collin Oliver's pass rush? Here are some options​

Portrait of Scott WrightScott Wright
The Oklahoman

STILLWATER — Upon learning of defensive end Collin Oliver’s injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Arkansas, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II made his way around the locker room at halftime.

“We gotta win this one for C.O.,” Gordon told each player.

And they did, rallying from a two-touchdown deficit for a 39-31 victory in double-overtime.

Perhaps the same motivation can carry them forward this season, with news that Oliver will miss a “considerable number” of games because of a broken foot.

Oliver’s father posted on social media Sunday that his son has a Jones Fracture, a break in the fifth metatarsal, that will require surgery.

Replacing him won’t be easy, but the 14th-ranked Cowboys have a few options as they prepare to visit Tulsa for an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
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Oliver’s father posted on social media Sunday that his son has a Jones Fracture, a break in the fifth metatarsal, that will require surgery.

Replacing him won’t be easy, but the 14th-ranked Cowboys have a few options as they prepare to visit Tulsa for an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

Oliver was a key piece in the Cowboys’ offseason adjustment to improve the pass rush, and it was working well so far. He had one sack and seven QB pressures in the season opener, and Saturday, he hit Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green as he threw, which caused an interception that Kale Smith returned for a touchdown.

That was the play he suffered the broken foot, and he was replaced by Division II transfer Obi Ezeigbo from that point.

Ezeigbo played well, finishing with nine tackles with 3.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks, but will have a much larger task ahead as the starter on the edge.



Who is Obi Ezeigbo?​

Ezeigbo transferred from Gannon University, the same DII program where OSU defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo had been coaching.

He had been committed to South Florida, and was also recruited by Baylor and others after he entered the transfer portal last winter.

Gundy said on Monday that they had recruited multiple defensive linemen in the portal during the offseason, but Ezeigbo was the only one they landed.

“The truth? He was very inexpensive,” Gundy said. “A number of players that we go after that were ready to play at this level, we can’t afford. He was a good buy, and a really quality young man that had had success, and has physical characteristics that we can work with.

“That’s why he ended up here in my opinion. We saw some things that we felt we could develop into a good player at this level, and it wasn’t gonna cost us the money that we didn’t have.”


Teammates have raved about Ezeigbo’s speed off the edge, which will be the key to his impact on the defense. And his overall quality of play impressed Gundy on Saturday.

“What he did was really compete,” Gundy said. “He really got put to the test with an extended number of plays that he really hadn’t had at this level.

“He actually played better than I thought he would, which can be the case a lot of times. We really don’t know how good a young man can be until he gets in there.

Gundy specifically credited Ezeigbo’s play in the fourth quarter and overtime when he had grown physically tired. Yet he stayed mentally sharp.

Who else could help on the edge?​

The current OSU depth chart lists redshirt freshman Poasa Utu, a 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker, as Ezeigbo’s backup as the edge rusher. However, OSU’s ultimate answer to replacing Oliver likely involves some scheme adjustments.

“We’re gonna investigate that this week, and come up with a plan for where we’re at at that particular position,” Gundy said. “And if we have to vary a style of play to get certain guys on the field with more maturity, we could do that.

“But we won’t know that til Thursday.”

For one, converted safety Kendal Daniels could see an uptick in snaps at linebacker. The Cowboys have used him primarily at that position, while still moving him into the secondary on occasion. He likely keeps his focus at linebacker now.

He played 58 of 93 snaps on Saturday, and that number could increase, getting him on the field with fellow linebackers Nick Martin and Jeff Roberson.
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Oklahoma State football bowl projections 2024: Where are Cowboys entering Tulsa game?

Oklahoma State football bowl projections 2024: Where are Cowboys entering Tulsa game?​

Portrait of Justin MartinezJustin Martinez
The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma State football team defended its home field against an SEC foe in Week 2.

OSU (2-0) earned a 39-31 double-overtime win over Arkansas on Saturday. It moved up three spots to No. 14 in the US LBM Coaches Poll as a result, and it also moved up three spots to No. 13 in the AP Top 25 Poll.

It's a good start to the campaign for the Cowboys, who are on pace to compete in a notable bowl game this postseason. Here are the latest 2024 bowl projections for OSU heading into its Week 3 road game against Tulsa.

2024 Oklahoma State football bowl projections​

It feels like the left is giving up on Kamala

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Trump is crushing it left and right, endorsements from both sides cascading in.

Feels like something big is about to break. Trump arrest next?

Oklahoma State football stock report: Jake Schultz making an impact all over for Cowboys

Oklahoma State football stock report: Jake Schultz making an impact all over for Cowboys​

Portrait of Scott WrightScott Wright
The Oklahoman

STILLWATER — Jake Schultz has played in 53 career games over six seasons at Oklahoma State.

He’s been a linebacker, defensive end, tight end and now, fullback.

But most of his work is done in anonymity.

Special teams and blocking duties that mostly go unnoticed by the fans at Boone Pickens Stadium.

But on Saturday against Arkansas — more later on why that was an important game to Schultz — the former walk-on was a key figure in two key plays during the Cowboys’ 39-31 double-overtime victory against Arkansas.

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Most importantly, he was the receiver on OSU’s reverse flea-flicker, pulling in a pass from Alan Bowman and sprinting down the sideline to set up the touchdown that put OSU on top 28-21.

The 63-yard gain was nearly three times the yardage of Schultz’s career receiving total prior to Saturday (22).

Earlier in the game, Schultz had been penalized for an illegal chop block that took a touchdown off the board.

But his coach came to his defense twice since the game, claiming they had discussed the play prior to the game with three officials.

“We told them exactly what we were going to do and they said it was good,” coach Mike Gundy said. “Obviously, we didn't talk to enough of them because somebody called it.”

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Gundy’s argument was that the block was legal if it occurred inside the tackle box, and he believed it did.

Schultz, who is from Prague High School about an hour south of Stillwater, spent part of his young life in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when his father was working under Frank Broyles with Arkansas Athletes Outreach.

The family lived about a mile from Razorback Stadium, and Jake was a big Hogs fan.

So Saturday’s big play was a thrill. But virtually everything Schutz does is for the greater good of the team, so even his 63-yard catch falls into that category for him.

I’m just happy for our guys, that we eventually scored from it,” he said. “I’m not just thinking about my big play. I don’t care about that. It’s that we won the game. It’s a group effort for sure.”

Schultz played 20 total snaps on Saturday, and his position group of tight ends and fullbacks saw an increase in usage. So their stock is rising. Here’s a look at this week’s stock report:

Stock rising​

Josh Ford, tight end: The true freshman increased his usage from the opener after showing his physicality would translate to gameday. He and super-senior Tyler Foster each played 27 snaps, and Ford had 23 receiving yards on three catches — one of which appeared to go for a touchdown before video review showed his foot touched out of bounds at the 3.

Obi Ezeigbo, defensive end: In the aftermath of the Collin Oliver injury, Ezeigbo is the player immediately set to see an uptick in playing time. And with Oliver out for the second half on Saturday, Ezeigbo produced, finishing with nine tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks. His speed off the edge is going to be vital to the Cowboys’ effort to boost the pass rush without its top rusher.

Trey Rucker, safety: While Gundy says the super-senior safety still got out of position in coverage a couple of times, Rucker is finding his way to the ball at a higher rate than anybody in the country. He had 17 tackles Saturday and now has an NCAA-best 32 for the season, putting him nearly one-third of the way to his 14-game total of 100 from a year ago.

Stock falling​

Cole Birmingham, offensive guard: Overall, the Cowboy offensive line is battling some early season difficulties. Birmingham, the left guard, drew the lowest grade of the group against Arkansas, according to Pro Football Focus analytics. Even though Birmginham’s grade in run-blocking situations was the piece that pulled down his overall grade, the rushing struggles aren’t solely on one lineman, so the group needs a better overall effort.

Pass rush: Sure, there’s lots of excitement about what Ezeigbo showed Saturday. But when you take one of the country’s best pure pass rushers out of the lineup, that element is going to suffer. It’s on coordinator Bryan Nardo and his assistants to figure out the answer to replace Oliver’s impact.

Oklahoma State redshirt tracker​

There’s been little movement on the redshirt tracker through two games. To this point, only one true freshman and one redshirt-eligible transfer have appeared in any games.

The redshirt tracker won’t account for every redshirt-eligible player’s game participation, but will focus on first-year Cowboys and other notable redshirt candidates.

Players can appear in up to four regular-season games and still maintain redshirt status. Here’s a look at the redshirt tracker:

Played in two games: Josh Ford (Fr.); Gavin Freeman (Jr.).

Game Thoughts - Piggies

We have to be better at early game scripting on both sides of the ball. I understand teams are going to line up to try and take away the run but when you have a Heisman contender at RB you can’t fall into the trap of analytics or defensive setup too much. 11 of our 14 plays on those first three drives were pass plays.

Bowman is going to be a good steady leader for us and should put up big numbers at times with the defenses he sees but he isn’t a guy you can put a game on his shoulders. He isn’t a game winning type of QB.

I really like what I have seen with this OL these first two weeks but our play calling has to help them out. They will be more than adequate this season and might turn into a strength (which is crazy to think about). They did a great job today in pas pro and really nullifying the pass rush of Ark.

Our team and this offense is very tough to defend when balanced, when they establish the run and when we get a lead. When we can’t to the above it becomes really stagnant and the limitations of our QB are put in the spotlight. This unit sort of is what it is and so game planning and scripting will be vital all year.

Defensively we didn’t pester or pressure their QB enough especially in that first half. He is limited in the passing game, holds onto the ball to long and is turnover prone under pressure and we didn’t do it consistently enough. Our secondary just lacks overall top end talent. Our LBs are good but lack some size which hurts against the run. Our DL is deep and has some potential but overall average at best right now. Need this deep group to step up and be a strength.

We saw some very concerning flaws and limitations with this team if we are discussing potential CFP hopes but a close comeback win like this early can be a major point of reference to look back on after a big season. The resolve, belief and experience shown to stay in that game and keep grinding is a good sign.

Defensively there are issues, especially with the secondary but that unit buckled down in the second half and only allowed 10 points and made the big stop in the 2nd OT. Offensively we made the plays needed when we needed them.

Lots of reasons we probably should have lost that game and we can be frustrated with the overall performance and the issues that reared their head but we battled back and are 2-0. Outside of maybe a handful of teams there is a lot of parity in CFB. I think we will be in lots a close games this year and winning a game like today the way we won it could pay dividends down the road in those close games.

Lots of time to tighten some things up in the secondary (hopefully) and to get the DL to step up their play.
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