Trip down memory lane
Published: 10/12/2006 4:31 PM
Last Modified: 10/12/2006 4:31 PM
One of the prerequisites for being a football coach is to have a short memory.
Mike Gundy has that characteristic down pat. Ask him about something that happened two years ago, he’ll reply “that was a long time ago.” Ask him about something that happened four years ago, he’ll reply “now, you’re really going back a long time.”
Well, coach, let’s go back four years to 2002 for a little history lesson. You can learn a thing or two about history.
At this time four years ago, Gundy was OSU’s offensive coordinator. The Cowboys stood 2-4 and just came off a 44-9 pounding at Kansas State. Two of OSU’s losses earlier that season were a 39-36 last-minute gut wrencher at Louisiana Tech and a 17-15 setback at Texas. Expectations for a breakthrough year in 2002 were diminishing as the season reached the halfway mark.
Hum. Loss at Kansas State. Last-minute gut-wrenching loss. Another close loss down in Texas. Does this sound familiar?
Instead of wallowing in disappointment, the 2002 OSU team made something of its season. The week following the crushing loss at Kansas State, OSU beat Nebraska 24-21 for its first win over the Cornhuskers in 41 years. The breakthrough victory sparked OSU. The Cowboys won six of their final seven games, including the regular season-ending Bedlam game against OU and the Houston Bowl against Southern Mississippi.
The 2006 team is seeking its breakthrough win. Saturday at Kansas provides that opportunity for a team whose preseason expectations are fading quickly.
The question, though, is can history repeat itself?
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
