Tulsa World: JOHN KLEIN

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JOHN KLEIN

By JOHN KLEIN
Published: 9/1/1995
Last Modified: 3/16/2008 7:59 AM

STILLWATER -- The new era of Oklahoma State football looks strikingly
similar to the old one.
Nebraska flexed its considerable muscle. OSU got trampled.
There were differences. The Cowboys no longer wear those hideous
all-black or electrified orange uniforms.
They entered the field from the west end zone tunnel, opposite the
customary east end zone ramp.
There were real fans in the stands, sweltering in 99-degree weather, the
hottest kickoff in Stillwater in 20 years.
The Cowboys were back on national television. And, O-State was talking
about a brighter future.
Bob Simmons made his debut as the OSU coach on Thursday and Nebraska,
looking very much the part of defending national champion, rocked and rolled
64-21.
The Huskers covered the spread (26) by halftime with a 36-7 lead.
If anything, it was even worse than expected. It wasn't pretty. The Pokes
got pushed around up front by Nebraska's 300-pounders and couldn't keep pace
with its sprinters. Few can match Nebraska in tonnage or miles-per-hour.
If anyone wished to know just how far the road back is, the Huskers were
a warning sign. It was flashing bright.
The Cowboys showed occasional signs of life. David Thompson's 79-yard run
to set up OSU's first touchdown of the year was the longest run at Tailback
U. in seven years.
Freshman R.W. McQuarters ran for a first down the first time he touched
the ball and looked very much to be the most dangerous threat for the
Cowboys since Barry Sanders.
But the Cowboys were far too raw to compete with the seasoned Huskers.
Four OSU freshmen started. Eight played before the season was one quarter
old.
It would be hard to imagine a worse start, although Simmons did help
State take its first steps in a new system. Long before the kickoff for Big
Four area football teams, the new OSU coach had spawned an enthusiasm among
his players and long-suffering fans. His players stayed to the bitter end.
The fans began the trek up the street to Eskimo Joe's five minutes into the
second half. It was another four minutes before the Huskers punted for the
first time.
In fact, virtually right up to game time, Simmons was out thumping the
theme. He brought his team and then gave an impassioned plea to about 3,000
fans at a Wednesday night pep rally. His wife, Linda, was still out in the
community as late as Thursday afternoon. She stopped at various businesses
up and down main street urging people to come out to the game, wear orange
and cheer like crazy.
If Simmons doesn't eventually turn OSU's fortunes around, he has already
proven it won't be from a lack of effort.
After being passed over for the Colorado job Simmons has thrown himself
into the massive reconstruction job.
He's been a realist, too. He went into the game as the first black head
football coach in Big Eight history knowing the great odds.
When Nebraska asked the game to be moved up from October for television,
Simmons jumped at the chance. He saw an opportunity to project OSU back on
national television screens, no matter how ugly it would get. It got pretty
ugly.
Nebraska, traditionally a quick starter, will be just as painful in
October as it is in August.
So, Simmons shuffled his youngsters onto the field knowing no mountain
the rest of the season will be quite as high or quite as steep.
"We've got 11 more games to go and we can't afford to, and won't, put all
of our chips in the middle of the table at one time," he said.
At this point, it is clear Simmons doesn't have the cards to be at the
table with Nebraska.
By JOHN KLEIN

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