Tulsa World: Up close: Cowboys from Oklahoma

TULSA WORLD HOMEPAGE | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | WIRELESS

OU | OSU | TU | ORU | HIGH SCHOOLS | COLLEGE FOOTBALL | COLLEGE BASKETBALL | NFL | FANTASY | OUTDOORS | GOLF | PROS | ALL

HOMEPAGES

SPORTS EXTRA BLOGS

		Sports Editor Mike Strain
		Sports Columnist Dave Sittler
		The Picker Entertaining & Infuriating

LOCAL PROS

ALL SPORTS

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

OUTDOORS

FIND A STORY

Search the World's archives

EMAIL ALERTS

SOCIAL MEDIA

RSS FEEDS

CONTACT US

BUY PHOTOS & PAGES

Buy a published photo by clicking the "Order this Picture" link on the photo. For a full-color page reprint, call 732-8198 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or order online.

TULSA WORLD

ADVERTISE ON SPORTS EXTRA

Learn more about the site.

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

Up close: Cowboys from Oklahoma

Oklahoma State golf coach Mike McGraw does 49 pushups—one for each point the Cowboys had scored — after an OSU touchdown during the fourth quarter against Texas A&M. DARYL WILSON / Tulsa World

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 11/26/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/26/2008 3:56 AM

STILLWATER — Of the 102 players on Oklahoma State's football roster, 27 hail from the state of Oklahoma.

This week's Bedlam game holds a personal meaning for those who grew up within the state's borders. From that pool of 27, nine are listed on OSU's two-deep depth chart for offense, defense and special teams.

For some, Saturday's game against Oklahoma at Boone Pickens Stadium will be their first true taste of Bedlam. Some have been die-hard OSU fans since they were kids. Some have parents who attended OSU, and even played football for the Cowboys. And there are some who admit they were OU fanatics at one time.

Five Oklahomans who suit up for OSU shared Bedlam memories:

Derek Burton

Burton is a second generation Cowboy. His father, Derek Burton Sr., was an offensive lineman from 1981-85. The junior defensive end from Muskogee recalls his dad showing him videotapes from his Bedlam battles. Father and son watched many Bedlam games together before the younger Burton joined the OSU program.

"That was fun seeing all the excitement watching them with my dad," Burton said. "But it's way different when you are in there as a player. You don't see all of those people watching you. You just see that big guy in front of you who's trying to block you and trying to win. This is a game where you know if you don't play well, you will get beat."

Bryant Ward

Ward, a sophomore fullback and special teams player, graduated from Stillwater High School in 2007. But growing up close by didn't mean Ward grew up attending the rivalry series. Last year's game in Norman was the first time he experienced the game in person.

"Being a part of it means so much more. As a player, it's something you dream about. Walking on to the field last year at their stadium was crazy. You had all of those fans haggling and harassing you. Like I said, crazy," Ward said.

Zach Allen

Allen will participate in his fourth Bedlam game this week. However, the senior deep snapper from Edmond is well-versed on the rivalry. His dad, Robert, is the sideline reporter for the OSU radio network and has covered sports in Oklahoma for more than 20 years.

"When we beat them 12-0 in 1995 was the best. I was sitting in the stands near the field. It was pretty intense. I was one of the few OSU fans who were crazy enough to rush Owen Field. I didn't know any better. I was only 8 at the time. I stupidly made an attempt. But I got a few blades of grass from the turf that day that I still have at home," Allen said.

Brady Bond

The junior offensive tackle from Garber has been an OSU fan since he remembers first watching football.

Bond would love for history to repeat itself Saturday.

"It's always been important to me. I never liked OU. I remember when I was a freshman in high school (2001) when we went down there (to Norman) and beat them by three points (16-13) and then the next year we came back and beat them again," Bond said. "For those two years, we had the momentum. But it's been six years since we've won this game. I'd definitely like to get another win, particularly before I'm through playing here."

David Washington

Washington has plenty of OSU clothing in his closet these days. That wasn't always the case for the senior center from Guthrie. Yes, Washington admits he was an OU fan.

"As a kid, I was back and forth between the two schools. But as I got older, I was more an OU fan because they won the national championship (in 2000) and that's who everybody was going with. My mom liked them. But when it came to the recruiting process, I liked OSU better. I had to give away a few (OU) jerseys and clothing items after I signed here," he said.

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

COMMENTS

Add your comment

Show: Most Recent Comment First

0 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.