OK State trips rising RB Gordon into Bedlam

• Chris Low, ESPN Elder WriterOct 29, 2023, 02:55 AM ET

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  • College football press reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

STILLWATER, Okla.– The final Chaos for the foreseeable future looks significantly various for Oklahoma State than it did a month ago.The Cowboys, who raced previous Cincinnati 45-13 on Saturday thanks to a 35-point 2nd half, have actually won four straight games, sit in a five-way tie atop the Huge 12 standings and have a running back installing Barry Sanders-like numbers.

“It’s excellent. The team chemistry, the team bonding … everything’s getting better, and as we grow closer to each other, nobody can stop us,” stated Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for 271 yards on 25 carries and scored 2 touchdowns.The Cowboys(6-2

, 4-1 in the Huge 12)look absolutely nothing like they did to liquidate September when they lost back-to-back games to South Alabama and Iowa State. A bye week took place, and the biggest distinction once the calendar turned to October was that Gordon ended up being the Cowboys ‘go-to running back.Editor’s Picks 2 Related And he took off.

“We saw a glimpse

when we played West Virginia last November

,”Oklahoma State offensive organizer Kasey Dunn stated about Gordon’s potential. “I type of joke, however it’s like attempting to tackle a giraffe. The guy is so long. He’s got limbs all over and he’s still actually effective. If you stand behind him and practice, there’s freaking muscles everywhere. I dislike saying uncomfortable, however he’s got this awkwardness that it’s tough to take on and after that he’s got enough speed to put it in the end zone like we saw tonight. So right now, he’s having fun with a lot of self-confidence, and the offending line’s blocking with a lot of confidence. “Gordon, a 6-1, 211-pound sophomore, was coming off a 282-yard efficiency in the win over West Virginia a week back. He and Sanders( 1988)are the only two players in program history with back-to-back games of 250-plus rushing yards. Sanders ‘1988 season is widely considered as the best individual season in college football history when he rushed for 2,850 lawns, scored 44 goals and broke 34 records.Gordon, who carried the ball simply 19 times in the very first three games this season, is among just two FBS players over the past 20 seasons with 250 skirmish yards in 3 straight games. Boston College’s Andre Williams also did it in 2013. 2 weeks ago in the 39-32 win over Kansas, Gordon had 168 rushing lawns and 116 receiving yards.He has actually had five straight 100-yard rushing performances and has accumulated 978 backyards in those 5 games while averaging 8.01 yards a carry throughout that stretch.Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy played with Sanders and Thurman Thomas in college and provided a stern message to Gordon in the very first half after he lost a fumble and showed his frustration and feeling on the sideline.”There’s a great deal of pressure involved, and he’s a very prideful boy, and that’s excellent, “Gundy said.” However what I shared with him is that I’ve been around the greatest running backs to ever play this game. None of them did that. They all discover to keep their composure.” That’s exactly what Gordon did in hurrying for more than 200 backyards in the 2nd half for the 2nd straight week. “He’s still young, and he’s got a long methods to go in his profession, but

he has changed substantially over the last 5 weeks with us condensing our running game,”Gundy stated.” He’s not arrived, but we have to give him credit for what he’s done. It’s not like it’s the first game he’s done this, however I’ve informed him and I’ll inform him once again when I see him tomorrow or Monday. He needs to stay starving, and he has

to remain simple– duration– or he’ll get his block knocked off. “After the game, Gordon was holding a big bouquet of roses offered to him by his mom and auntie. Chants of” Ollie, Ollie” filled a rainy Boone Pickens Arena when he left the field.Gordon stated that hearing his name mentioned in the same sentence with Sanders is surreal, but he is not about to get ahead of himself. As much as anything, he wanted to discuss his offensive line late Saturday night.

“It’s great to be spoken about with greats like Barry Sanders. I suggest, he won a Heisman Trophy and is one of the best to ever do it,”Gordon said.”It’s an unique sensation, but I could not do any of it without the guys in front of me.

They’re the ones who are worthy of all the appreciation.”Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman said viewing the entire running game click the way it has for the last month has been fantastic.”I’ve got the best seat in your home to enjoy it, and it’s been quite cool,” Bowman said.Nobody requires to inform Gordon

or any of the Oklahoma State players that next Saturday’s game with Oklahoma will be the last opportunity they get at the Sooners, a minimum of in the routine season. With Oklahoma, which has won 17 of the past 20 conferences in the series, transferring to the SEC in 2024, the 2 competitors aren’t expected to reunite anytime soon.Gordon, asked what he got out of the last Bedlam in a while, said simply,”I expect the Pokes to come out on top.”