Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys, fans get taste of what's to come
August 28, 2005 | Cowboy Football
Coach Mike Gundy said there were about 50 fans lining Hester Street as the Cowboys walked to the stadium like it was a regular gameday. The first-year coach suspected fans found out through word of mouth since no formal announcement was made.
“There were some people that showed up out there,” Gundy said. “It was really nice. We've come a long way with that. Our players look forward to it, and I know as an alum, it's important to me.
“I would expect it to be packed on Saturday night. It was really neat that people showed up today.”
But those fans only got a taste of what the season opener against Montana State will be like because they had to watch their team go into Boone Pickens Stadium for a closed practice.
The Cowboys continued the gameday theme by putting on their uniforms and then participating in a mock game.
“It's always good to have a mock game like that, and especially with so many young players that don't even know where to line up to stretch in pregame or where to go when they break stretch, ” Gundy said. “I think you eliminate a lot of screaming, coaches yelling and people getting upset on game day by just showing them what to do.
“We put them through the routine today,” Gundy said. “I thought it went well.”
Gundy said he planned the scenario primarily for the newcomers, which included him since he is standing on the sideline for the first time in years.
“It was different because I haven't been down there on the field in eight years,” Gundy said. “Even at Maryland I was in the box all the time.”
By going through the game day situation, Gundy was able to learn a few things for himself – including what goes on the locker room.
“In the locker room setup, I didn't know what to do with the chairs – if they moved them or closed the walls,” Gundy said. “I didn't know what they did with them because I was gone.
“So I had to ask.”
The mock game also allowed the Cowboys to workout on the new turf.
“I thought it was very soft, which is what the people said it would be,” Gundy said. “It's very athlete friendly, and it felt that way. It has a nice cushion to it.”
After going through a scrimmage on Friday and then the mock game Saturday, the players have Sunday off, but will return to practice Monday afternoon.
