(returning starters in bold)
ROSTER ANALYSIS
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Depth chart: Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh (co-No. 1s), Daxx Garman.
The scoop: Mike Gundy doesn't want to identify a starter until a season opener against Mississippi State arrives. The QB competition became a two-player race after Wes Lunt transferred to Illinois.
The bottom line: Chelf began last season as a third-teamer and ended it as a Heart of Dallas Bowl MVP. Walsh started three games and was the Big 12's offensive freshman of the year. It's business as usual if both play.
Receivers
Inside: Josh Stewart, David Glidden.
Inside: Blake Jackson, Austin Hays
Outside: Charlie Moore, Brandon Sheperd.
Outside: Tracy Moore, Jhajuan Seales.
The scoop: Stewart, Jackson, Moore and Hays combined for 35 starts last season, and Tracy Moore is back after missing the bulk of last season due to an injury.
The bottom line: From a quantity standpoint, OSU has perhaps never been more blessed at this position. Stewart is the Big 12's leading returning receiver, and Moore should have the big senior year that he missed last season.
Offensive line
Left tackle: Devin Davis, Brandon Garrett.
Left guard: Parker Graham, Michael Wilson.
Center: Jake Jenkins, Travis Cross.
Right guard: Brandon Webb, Chris Grisbhy.
Right tackle: Daniel Koenig, Zachary Crabtree.
The scoop: Joe Wickline says everything starts with a center when building a line. The new starter at the position will be Jenkins, who replaces 2012 starter Evan Epstein. OSU also is replacing guard Lane Taylor, a veteran of 47 career starts.
The bottom line: The Cowboys will build around returning tackles Graham and Koenig. Graham is playing guard, leaving a tackle spot for another player (Davis) who has started. Webb started the final five games last season.
Running backs
Running back: Jeremy Smith, Desmond Roland.
Fullback: Kye Staley, Jeremy Seaton.
The scoop: Smith, a senior, has waited his turn to become the feature back in OSU's offense. That time is now because Joseph Randle left school early to enter the NFL Draft. When OSU utilizes a fullback, Staley and Jeremy Seaton will get the call.
The bottom line: A priority is developing depth behind Smith. Desmond Roland (46 carries last season) is next in line. More than ever, OSU needs Smith to put injury problems behind him.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Defensive end: Jimmy Bean, Trace Clark.
Defensive end: Tyler Johnson, Sam Wren.
Defensive tackle: James Castleman, Anthony Rogers.
Defensive tackle: Calvin Barnett, Davidell Collins.
The scoop: OSU should be better at defensive tackle than at any time in the Gundy era. Barnett was the Big 12's defensive newcomer of the year last season, and Castleman was honorable mention all-league.
The bottom line: The Cowboys lost experienced players at defensive end. The progress of young ends is being monitored in preseason practices. Johnson, a senior, had a nice bowl game, Bean broke out in the spring game and Wren is a juco transfer who could make an impact.
Linebackers
Strongside linebacker: Shaun Lewis, Joe Mitchell.
Middle linebacker: Caleb Lavey, Demarcus Sherod.
Weakside linebacker: Ryan Simmons, Kris Catlin.
The scoop: Lewis, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, and Lavey are seniors who have combined for 58 career starts. Simmons is at the head of the line to replace 2012 starter Alex Elkins.
The bottom line: The defense should be in good hands. OSU gave two defensive MVP-type awards following last season and the recipients were Lavey and Lewis.
Defensive backs
Cornerback: Justin Gilbert, Miketavius Jones.
Cornerback: Kevin Peterson, Ashton Lampkin.
Strong safety: Shamiel Gary, Lyndell Johnson.
Free safety: Daytawion Lowe, Larry Stephens.
The scoop: Peterson and Lampkin gained valuable experience as freshman backups last season and will slide into a spot formerly held by Brodrick Brown, a veteran of 39 starts.
The bottom line: Gilbert is expected to have a bounce-back season. Johnson moved over from linebacker in the spring to help at safety, where Gary returns. Lowe is among leaders on defense. Kansas transfer Tyler Patmon will give the Cowboys an experienced body at corner.
Special teams
Punter: Michael Reichenstein, Kip Smith.
Kicker: Ben Grogan.
Long snapper: Andrew Suter, Connor Sinko
Holder: Michael Reichenstein.
Kick returner: Justin Gilbert, Brandon Sheperd.
Punt returner: Josh Stewart,
Charlie Moore
The scoop: Will triple threat Quinn Sharp be the former player OSU misses most this season? It depends on how his replacements fare. First-year freshman kicker Ben Grogan is a man on the spot.
Bottom line: The kicking aspect of special teams is a question, but Cowboys are fine in the return department. Gilbert holds the school record for kickoff returns for TDs, and Stewart shined as a punt returner when given an opportunity in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
STARS
RB Jeremy Smith
OSU has had six consecutive 1,000-yard rushers and four consecutive All-Big 12 running backs. Smith is ready to join that list. His career average of 6.2 yards per carry is second at OSU to Barry Sanders.
WR Josh Stewart
Last year was his breakout season. As a sophomore, Stewart led the conference with 1,201 receiving yards and was selected All-Big 12. He ranks eighth all time at OSU with 120 career receptions.
DT Calvin Barnett
Since bursting on to the scene as a junior-college transfer last year, Barnett has developed into an NFL prospect. Coupled with James Castleman, he is part of perhaps the best defensive-tackle duo in the Big 12.
- KELLY HINES, World Sports Writer
SLEEPERS
RB Desmond Roland
OSU needs more than one ballcarrier to share snaps in a high-tempo offense. Roland, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season, could be in for a harvest if he is Jeremy Smith's primary tag-team partner.
OL Devin Davis
Davis is Exhibit A that beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to recruiting. He didn't have big-time scholarship offers at the time OSU was recruiting him, but he started two games last season and is due for a bigger role.
LB Joe Mitchell
The depth chart says Mitchell is a backup. But he'll play a big role on defense because he's got the skills to excel when the Cowboys use specialty packages.
- JIMMIE TRAMEL, World Sports Writer
Team statistics
|
OSU |
OPP |
| Scoring |
594 |
367 |
| Per game |
45.7 |
28.2 |
| First downs |
346 |
305 |
| by rushing |
149 |
116 |
| by passing |
177 |
164 |
| by penalty |
20 |
25 |
| Rushing yards |
2799 |
1842 |
| Avg. per game |
215.3 |
141.7 |
| Passing yards |
4312 |
3640 |
| Avg. per game |
331.7 |
280.0 |
| Offensive plays |
1014 |
1034 |
| Total yards |
7111 |
5482 |
| Avg. per play |
7.0 |
5.3 |
| Avg. per game |
547.0 |
421.7 |
| Kick returns-Yds |
46-1148 |
34-840 |
| Punt returns-Yds |
36-412 |
16-197 |
| Interceptions-Yds |
11-146 |
16-226 |
| Fumbles-Lost |
14-6 |
22-11 |
| Penalties-Yds |
83-777 |
80-598 |
| Punts-Avg. |
44-46.3 |
75-41.4 |
| 3rd downs |
85-184 |
78-215 |
| 4th downs |
7-14 |
16-30 |
| Sacks by-Yds |
25-163 |
12-70 |
Individual leaders
Y/A=Yards/attempt; Y/G=Yards/game
| RUSHING |
No. |
Yds |
Y/A |
Y/P |
TD |
| J. Randle |
274 |
1417 |
5.2 |
109.0 |
14 |
| J. Smith |
70 |
371 |
5.3 |
28.5 |
8 |
| D. Roland |
46 |
301 |
6.5 |
25.1 |
4 |
| J. Walsh |
50 |
290 |
5.8 |
29.0 |
7 |
| PASSING |
C-A-Int |
Yds |
Y/G |
TD |
| C. Chelf |
119-197-6 |
1588 |
198.5 |
15 |
| J. Walsh |
109-163-3 |
1564 |
156.4 |
13 |
| W. Lunt |
81-131-7 |
1108 |
184.7 |
6 |
| RECEIVING |
No. |
Yds |
Y/A |
Y/P |
TD |
| J. Stewart |
101 |
1210 |
12.0 |
93.1 |
7 |
| C. Moore |
35 |
542 |
15.5 |
41.7 |
6 |
| B. Jackson |
30 |
598 |
19.9 |
46.0 |
3 |
| A. Hays |
29 |
394 |
13.6 |
39.4 |
2 |
| J. Randle |
28 |
224 |
8.0 |
17.2 |
0 |
| I. Anderson |
22 |
407 |
18.5 |
37.0 |
4 |
| T. Moore |
20 |
259 |
12.9 |
64.8 |
4 |
| PUNT RETURNS |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
TD |
| C. Moore |
20 |
145 |
7.2 |
0 |
| D. Glidden |
6 |
27 |
4.5 |
0 |
| C. Muncrief |
4 |
74 |
18.5 |
0 |
| Kick returns |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
TD |
| J. Gilbert |
32 |
827 |
25.8 |
1 |
| J. Smith |
5 |
88 |
17.6 |
0 |
| PUNTING |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
I20 |
| Q. Sharp |
44 |
2036 |
46.3 |
18 |
| Kicking |
FG-A |
Long |
PAT |
| Q. Sharp |
28-34 |
51 |
72-72 |
| DEFENSE |
T |
TFL |
Sacks |
INT |
FR |
| D. Lowe |
75 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
2 |
1 |
| A. Elkins |
75 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
0 |
0 |
| S. Gary |
72 |
1.0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| J. Gilbert |
63 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| B. Brown |
62 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
0 |
1 |
| S. Lewis |
58 |
7.5 |
2.5 |
0 |
1 |
| C. Lavey |
53 |
7.0 |
1.5 |
0 |
0 |
| R. Robinson |
32 |
8.0 |
2.5 |
0 |
0 |
| C. Barnett |
30 |
8.5 |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
| J. Castleman |
30 |
6.5 |
1.0 |
1 |
0 |
| N. Nicholas |
28 |
5.0 |
4.0 |
0 |
1 |
| L. Johnson |
28 |
6.5 |
2.0 |
2 |
1 |
| T. Johnson |
27 |
6.0 |
4.0 |
1 |
1 |
| J. Mitchell |
26 |
4.5 |
2.5 |
0 |
2 |
| R. Simmons |
23 |
4.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
| C. Bassett |
21 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| K. Peterson |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
COACHING STAFF
Mike Gundy
Job description: head coach
Compensation: $3.45 million
Glenn Spencer
Job description: defensive coordinator
Compensation: $462,000
Mike Yurcich
Job description: offensive coordinator
Compensation: $400,000
Joe Wickline
Job description: offensive line coach
Compensation: $462,000
Joe Bob Clements
Job description: defensive line coach
Compensation: $315,000
Kasey Dunn
Job description: outside receivers coach
Compensation: $280,000
Jemal Singleton
Job description: running backs coach
Compensation: $280,000
Tim Duffie
Job description: safeties coach
Compensation: $275,000
Van Malone
Job description: cornerbacks coach
Compensation: $260,000
Jason Ray
Job description: inside receivers coach
Compensation: $150,000
2013 SCHEDULE
| Aug. 31 |
vs. Miss. State |
ABC/ESPN2 |
2:30 p.m. |
Win over SEC team in opener could set up a big start for Cowboys.
| Sept. 7 |
at UTSA |
FS1-67 |
11 a.m. |
UTSA coach Larry Coker was OSU's offensive coordinator when Mike Gundy was QB.
In two games against FBS squads last year, Lamar was outscored 94-2.
| Sept. 28 |
at West Virginia |
|
TBA |
OSU makes first West Virginia trek since Mountaineers joined Big 12.
Big 12 home opener comes against defending league co-champ.
Due to scheduling quirk, TCU visits Boone Pickens Stadium for second consecutive year.
| Oct. 26 |
at Iowa State |
|
TBA |
No one at OSU needs reminder of what happened in last trip to Ames.
Hang "under new ownership" sign on Tech program. Kliff Kingsbury takes over.
OSU had a bad day at the office in Lawrence last season and still survived.
A Vegas oddsmaker lists this as only game in which OSU is an underdog.
You've got to outscore Bears to beat them - and that's tough to do.
Could Bedlam be for the Big 12 championship?
OSU team information
Tickets: 1-877-ALL4OSU
Local radio affiliate: KFAQ am1170
Mike Gundy TV show schedule: TBA
Mike Gundy radio show schedule: 6 p.m. Monday
2012 RESULTS
Vs. Savannah State W, 84-0
At Arizona L, 59-38
Vs. Louisiana W, 65-24
Vs. Texas L, 41-36
At Kansas W, 20-14
Vs. Iowa State W, 31-10
Vs. TCU W, 36-14
At Kansas State L, 44-30
Vs. West Virginia W, 55-34
Vs. Texas Tech W, 59-21
At Oklahoma L, 51-48 (OT)
At Baylor L, 41-34
Heart of Dallas Bowl
Vs. Purdue W, 58-14
COACHING STAFF
Mike Gundy
Job description: head coach
Compensation: $3.45 million
Glenn Spencer
Job description: defensive coordinator
Compensation: $462,000
Mike Yurcich
Job description: offensive coordinator
Compensation: $400,000
Joe Wickline
Job description: offensive line coach
Compensation: $462,000
Joe Bob Clements
Job description: defensive line coach
Compensation: $315,000
Kasey Dunn
Job description: outside receivers coach
Compensation: $280,000
Jemal Singleton
Job description: running backs coach
Compensation: $280,000
Tim Duffie
Job description: safeties coach
Compensation: $275,000
Van Malone
Job description: cornerbacks coach
Compensation: $260,000
Jason Ray
Job description: inside receivers coach
Compensation: $150,000
