OSU's quarterback chaos doesn't bode well for season
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Monday, November 05, 2012
11/05/12 at 5:19 AM
Related Story: OSU Notebook: Looking familiar
Let's go straight to the Oklahoma State football topic everyone is curious about.
Hey, Mike Gundy. What's the latest on your quarterback situation?
"We're not going to say," the coach said during a Sunday night teleconference.
Hypothetically, if Clint Chelf must play Saturday against West Virginia, what makes him prepared for his first career start?
"I would rather not comment on anything at the quarterback position," Gundy said.
Gundy said a few things about about Chelf and the quarterback predicament - and so did teammates and offensive coordinator Todd Monken during interviews that occurred after OSU's 44-30 loss at Kansas State.
First-year freshman starting quarterback Wes Lunt was knocked out of the game one possession into the third quarter and exhibited concussion-related symptoms.
If Lunt is unable to return this week, OSU will start three quarterbacks in one season for only the third time since Gundy's playing career ended.
- 1990 QB starters: Chris Smith (two games), Earl Wheeler (four), Kenny Ford (five).
- 1993 QB starters: Gary Porter (four games), Tone Jones (four), Andy Loveland (three).
- 2005 QB starters: Donovan Woods (two games), Bobby Reid (five), Al Pena (four).
Common denominator? OSU posted losing records all three seasons.
The 2012 Cowboys have been resilient enough to go 5-3 so far, even though Lunt missed three games with knee and ankle injuries and second-teamer J.W. Walsh sustained a season-ending knee injury in his third start. With a bit more resilience - and one more victory - they can clinch a seventh consecutive bowl trip.
It was suggested to Gundy that it has been a while since his team has dealt with this much chaos at one position. He said the Cowboys have had "issues" at other positions. "We just went through a pretty good shuffle at the wide receiver spot," he said. "It is certainly magnified more when it is the quarterback position."
Chelf stepped under the magnifying glass against Kansas State and, in less than two quarters of duty, he completed 16-of-27 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Chelf backed up Brandon Weeden for two seasons, entering games to finish lopsided victories. The Kansas State game has been described as Chelf's first "real" game action and he directed three scoring drives against the nation's third-ranked team. Afterward, Gundy said he was pleased with what Chelf was able to accomplish on short notice.
Asked for elaboration Sunday, Gundy said, "I think he managed pretty well. For the most part he was sound in his reads and threw the ball effective and showed some mobility. That would really be what I got out of last night."
Monken was disappointed in the defeat, but permitted himself to be happy Chelf got an opportunity to show what he can do. Monken said after the K-State game there is probably a good chance Chelf will get another opportunity. Maybe that opportunity will come this week.
Cooper Bassett was impressed with the way Chelf handled himself.
"He got thrown into a pretty imposing situation, a tough situation," the senior defensive end said.
"We were down in a very hostile enviroment and he responded. He led our offense. Not only did he make the plays with his legs and his arms, but he was leading the offense and making checks when he had to. I couldn't be prouder of the way Clint came in here and stayed mentally focused throughout the game and made plays for us."
Chelf said he didn't play well enough because the Cowboys lost. They trailed by 21 points when he entered the game and lost by 14. But he said he is "extremely prepared" if he becomes the third OSU quarterback to start this season.
"I came to Oklahoma State for these opportunities to play like this and I'll be ready," he said.
Said Bassett, "We have no worries. Clint did a great job for us and if his name is called next week and he is the starter, he is going to make plays for us again, so that's not really what we are worried about."
Up next
Vs. West Virginia
2:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: KTUL-8
Radio: KTBZ am1430
Original Print Headline: QB chaos at OSU doesn't bode well for season
Jimmie Tramel 918-581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
OSU quarterback Clint Chelf (left) runs against Kansas State defenders Jarell Childs and Jarard Milo at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, in Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World
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