OSU awaits bowl destination

BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Sunday, December 02, 2012
12/02/12 at 6:02 AM

WACO, Texas - Cooper Bassett doesn't care what bowl Oklahoma State gets. He simply wants to play another game with his teammates.

"I've been blessed so much to play for this team for as long as I have," Bassett said tearfully after Saturday's loss to Baylor. "I'm hoping that I get to make the most of my last opportunity as a Cowboy."

With the 41-34 defeat against the Bears and a 51-48 setback at Oklahoma last week, the Cowboys dropped back-to-back regular-season games for the first time since 2007.

"At the end of the day, we fought hard," said Bassett, a senior defensive end. "But it's just unfortunate, especially this late in the season, for the seniors to know it's almost over.

"It just kind of makes it sting a little bit more."

The consecutive losses dropped OSU to 7-5 and 5-4 in the Big 12, a year removed from a conference championship and a BCS bowl victory. This season has been a reminder of how difficult it is to win in a league that includes eight of 10 teams with at least seven wins.

"There are no gimmes in this league, for the most part," coach Mike Gundy said. "When that happens, there is a battle week to week and you are going to see more teams in that in that six-, seven-, eight-win category and not as many in that 10-11 category."

With the Cowboys finishing fourth in the Big 12, likely bowl destinations are the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29 in San Antonio or the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, also on Dec. 29, in Phoenix. Bowl assignments will be announced Sunday.

"I don't have a clue how it will all fall," Gundy said. "I have never looked at that. Somebody will make a decision on where we go.

"Whatever the destination is, these guys deserve that time and an opportunity to be around each other and spend a week together."

For OSU's 18 seniors, a win in a bowl game would alleviate some of the heartache from the final two games of the regular season.

"Especially after a game like this, it kind of makes (a bowl) mean a little more because you want to end on the right note," Bassett said. "We're going to have a sour taste in our mouth for a month, so I'm looking forward to getting out there one more time and play with these guys."

And Bassett is eager to end his college career on a more positive note.

"We're going to take care of it," he said. "We're going to fight our butts off and get the win and hopefully end the season 8-5."

Original Print Headline: OSU awaits bowl destination

Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy shows his disgust during the Cowboys' loss to Baylor on Saturday in Waco, Texas. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World