Oklahoma State University Athletics
Staley In Rare Company
December 28, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 28, 2013
Kye Staley is in very rare company among college football players.
Oklahoma State's senior fullback has been a part of six – yes six! – Cowboy bowl teams during his tenure in Stillwater.
Staley's unique career will come to an end against Missouri in next week's AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. It will mark the Guthrie, Okla. native's second trip to the Cotton Bowl, and he can also count the Holiday Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Heart of Dallas Bowl among his experiences.
“It's been quite a journey,” Staley said. “Definitely not many people have had the career path I have, but it's been a great experience and I'm blessed to have the opportunities I've had.”
Staley's OSU career began with a redshirt season in 2008. Then in the fall of 2009, he suffered a season-ending knee injury during preseason camp. The devastating injury also caused him to miss all of 2010 and nearly ended his football playing career.
But the 5-foot-10, 236 pounder was determined to return to the gridiron, and he has defied the odds to become a three-time All-Big 12 Conference performer in the OSU backfield.
Along the way, he's seen head coach Mike Gundy build OSU into a national contender. The Cowboys have won at least eight games in each of Staley's six seasons in Stillwater and a win in the Cotton Bowl would give them a third campaign of at least 11 victories.
“My senior year in high school (OSU) went 7-6 and to the Insight Bowl,” Staley said. “That first year, I was part of the team we went to the Holiday Bowl, and it's just been a progression. We've won a lot of games and developed high-profile players like Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon, just to name a few.
“It's a testament to our hard work and dedication to the program. Coach (Mike) Gundy has recruited great athletes and great people, and Coach (Rob) Glass does an excellent job with us in the offseason.”
Staley has earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors at fullback each of the last three seasons, but his stats aren't necessarily eye-popping; he's only had a handful of carries but has recorded 22 catches for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
However, Staley had quite the memorable performance last month in OSU's 49-17 rout of third-ranked Baylor, racking up a career-high seven carries for 25 yards and two touchdowns.
And Staley's role in the Cowboys' game plan caught even those closest to him by surprise.
“It was unexpected for a lot of people – I didn't even tell my mother about it,” Staley said. “It was fun to be able to run around with the rock and make some plays for my teammates. I think Coach (Jemal) Singleton and Coach (Mike) Yurcich were just like, 'Okay, let's shut Kye up and give him the ball so he'll quit nagging us about it.'”
Staley wouldn't mind a repeat performance in his final collegiate game, but whether that happens or not isn't a huge concern.
“Whatever the offense needs me to do, I'm more than happy to do it,” Staley said. “I don't mind blocking for Desmond Roland and Jeremy Smith to get them yards. Whatever makes our offense roll makes me happy.”
Staley will also soak in and enjoy the final of his half dozen bowl trips with an eye towards going out on top.
“Just going to different cities and different stadiums has been a lot of fun,” Staley said. “The atmospheres at the bowl games are awesome and getting time to hang out with your teammates and have a good time. I've actually been to a Cotton Bowl before but didn't play. Experiencing Jerry World was a great experience but now to be able to get a chance to play in a high-profile stadium is exciting.
“Playing our old Big 12-foe Missouri is an interesting matchup. I'm looking forward to having a good time in Dallas, but the important thing is a win and being Cotton Bowl champions.”
