Oklahoma State’s player availability report took an unexpected turn Thursday, with wide receiver Wyatt Young added and listed as probable for Saturday’s game against Kansas State.
Young wasn’t on Wednesday’s initial report, but the Cowboys now have him tagged as likely to play when they kick off at noon on TNT. That’s a notable update after he went through the full game against Iowa State last weekend without any obvious sign his status was in doubt heading into this week.
The timing makes Young’s inclusion even more interesting because he’s coming off one of the most eventful performances of the Cowboys’ season. He scored twice against the Cyclones, then drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after his second touchdown catch, a flag that came after Oklahoma State moved ahead 49-48 in the final minute. That penalty forced the Cowboys to kick off from their own 20-yard line and gave Iowa State better field position for the drive that ended with the game-winning field goal.
Afterward, Young apologized publicly to Oklahoma State fans on social media, then texted head coach Eric Morris and apologized to his teammates as well. Morris said discipline was coming, but he hasn’t said what it will be, explaining that the matter would be handled in-house.
Young’s update came alongside safety Quentin Hammonds, who was also listed as probable on Wednesday. Hammonds had been injured against Colorado, but he was back in the lineup against Iowa State.
Oklahoma State still has three players listed as doubtful: defensive end Jaleel Johnson, linebacker Tate Romney and defensive lineman Landon Dean. Johnson and Romney were both hurt in the Iowa State game, while Dean, who had previously missed games because of an injury, returned to the lineup before landing back on the report.
The Cowboys also added wide receiver Dayvon Standard as out. He joins tight end Carson Kolb, who is dealing with a foot injury that Morris said could sideline him for another week or two.
Kansas State’s report stayed unchanged from Wednesday except for one addition: linebacker Sawyer Schilke is now questionable.
DOUBTFUL: LB Tate Romney, DT Landon Dean, DE Jaleel Johnson
QUESTIONABLE: S Koy Beasley, RB Jay Harris, LB DJ Ackerson Jr., TE Lawson McGraw, DT Eli Jackson, LB Sawyer Schilke
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Just Delivered The Bounce-Back Cowboys Fans Needed
A needed reset arrived in emphatic fashion Saturday, when Oklahoma State buried Kansas State 66-28 and made the game feel out of reach before halftime. The Cowboys poured in 49 first-half points, and the offense had answers everywhere, from Caleb Hawkins piling up 246 total yards and four touchdowns to Drew Mestemaker throwing for 313 yards and three scores despite an interception.
The defense did its part, too, turning the night into a full-team response with three interceptions and steady pressure on the Kansas State quarterback. For a program looking for a jolt, this was the kind of performance that can change the tone around the locker room and the fan base, even if the bigger question is whether Oklahoma State can carry this version of itself forward. [Read more 🡒]
First Real Look At David Taylors Cowboys Starts Here
The first real look at David Taylors Oklahoma State wrestling team arrives Sunday, when the Cowboys open their dual season at Gallagher-Iba Arena against Drexel. It is the kind of early test that quickly reveals where a roster stands, especially for a program that enters the year with national expectations and plenty of attention on how Taylors group will look in live competition.
The matchup is set for 2 p.m. CT and will stream on ESPN+, giving fans a first chance to see the Cowboys in a dual setting rather than just in preseason conversation. Oklahoma State is ranked No. 2 nationally to start the season, so even a November opener carries a little extra weight as the Cowboys begin sorting out how they stack up in the chase ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Just Gave Fans A New Reason To Revisit Expectations
A week after putting up a statement win, Oklahoma State is suddenly getting a different kind of attention. The Cowboys climbed 13 spots to No. 21 in ESPNs latest Football Power Index, a notable leap that reflects how much their recent surge has changed the national view of them.
The 66-28 rout of Kansas State was the kind of result that can reset expectations in a hurry, and the offense has been a big reason why. Oklahoma State now ranks third nationally in points scored, a number that suggests this team may be more than just a hot start, even as the top of the FPI stayed unchanged with Notre Dame still at No. 1 after beating Miami. [Read more 🡒]