Oklahoma State University Athletics
Bedlam Legend: Brennan Presley’s Explosive Experiences on the Brightest Stage
November 02, 2023 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State Cowboy football fans remember Nov. 27, 2021, as one of the most electric Bedlam games in recent history.
The Cowboys turned in an impressive effort in all aspects of the game and took home a 37-33 victory against the Sooners. At the game's conclusion, receiver Brennan Presley found himself lifted into the air by his teammates and rushing fans.
It's an image that Cowboy fans can still vividly recall, one of triumph and elation, and is a moment that will live on in OSU's fabled history.
Presley etched his name next to other Bedlam legends after his performance that historic day. His 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter swung the momentum back in the Cowboys direction after giving up a Sooner score. He also became just the third Cowboy to return a kickoff 100 yards, the other two being Justin Gilbert and Barry Sanders.
Presley finished the game with two returns for 142 total return yards, which is top-10 in OSU history for a single-game mark. It also sits atop OSU's record book for most yards per kickoff with 71.0 and leads second place by almost eight yards.
Although it stands as one of the most profound moments in Cowboy football in recent years, Presley said he hasn't given his touchdown as much thought as one might think. In fact, he said he doesn't have a spot for it on the list of top moments. The reason can be dwindled down to living in the moment, taking it one game at a time and there's more moments to come.
"I don't feel right to rank it right now I'm still playing," Presley said. "Give me 15 years and I'll probably have a rank for you."
Presley's success in Bedlam didn't stop after that memorable game in 2021. The next year, Presley had nine catches for 118 yards, which led in both categories for the Cowboys on the day. He picked up 79 of those yards in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys attempted to mount a comeback, highlighted by a deep 55-yard catch and run.
Presley seemed destined to perform well in OSU's most heated rivalry. The Tulsa native grew up watching the teams compete from a young age. He said that while he didn't make it to many games, he watched them all in the comfort of his home and away from the frigid November weather.
As one of the most experienced Cowboys on the team, especially having been around Bedlam his whole life, it's lent him serving a mentorship role for new members on the team who haven't experienced Bedlam yet.
"I grew up in this rivalry," Presley said. "It means a lot more to me, rather than someone who's coming from another school and it's their first year in the program. The feelings might not be the same, but teamwise, it's one of those games that you go out there and you play with a ton of energy."
Prior to his time at OSU, Presley was a standout two-way player at Bixby High School who helped lead the Spartans to back-to-back state titles in his final two seasons. Presley earned the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior after racking 98 catches for over 1,500 yards. He caught 24 passes his senior year, including a monster six touchdown performance against Mansfield Timberview to get the season started.
His rise to the top of the Cowboy's depth chart started as a freshman against the Miami Hurricanes, where he totaled 118 receiving yards, the second-best total by an OSU freshman in program history.
In his time at OSU, Presley has garnered a reputation for coming in clutch during important games. Not just in Bedlam, but in bowl games as well. In his freshman season finale, he tied an OSU bowl record for touchdown receptions with three in the 2020 Cheez-it Bowl. As a sophomore, Presley caught 10 passes for 137 yards in the Cowboys 37-35 win over Notre Dame in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl.
Now a senior with OSU, Presley has become one of the team's most dynamic playmakers. Entering Bedlam week, he's second on the team in touchdowns scored with seven total. He also leads the team in receptions and is second in receiving yards.
With each Bedlam having more pressure than the last, Presley said he's excited to be part of Saturday's matchup.
"You should treat every single game the same," Presley said. "But there's always that inkling or itch to play. The energy surrounds it naturally, you don't have to create it and it's not fake."
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ABC.
