Oklahoma State Faces Challenges as Star Running Back Struggles

Oklahoma State University‘s football team is experiencing a challenging season, as the institution encounters difficulties meeting past performance standards. The team’s renowned running back, Ollie Gordon, has not lived up to his prior expectations of competing for the Heisman Trophy. In the early stages of their 2024 season, the team finds itself struggling with a disappointing record of 3-3, ahead of a key matchup against Brigham Young University (BYU), which boasts a pristine 6-0 record.

Head coach Mike Gundy has maintained a persistent level of competitiveness since 2005, when he endured his only losing season. However, the current challenges faced by Oklahoma State mark a departure from their usual consistency. Central to the team’s struggles has been a lackluster performance from their running game.

Ollie Gordon, who was predicted to be a standout player following a successful previous season where he accumulated 1,732 rushing yards, has faced significant hurdles this year. His performance has dropped sharply, with a current average of just 3.8 yards per carry and a total of four touchdowns, in contrast to the 21 he scored last season. Moreover, he was injured in a game against West Virginia, further complicating his performance potential.

The difficulties in the running game extend beyond Gordon alone. The offensive line, which was expected to be a robust unit with four redshirt seniors returning as starters, has not provided the necessary blocking strength. This lack of support has seen Gordon’s pre-contact average yardage plummet from 4.0 yards last year to just 1.8 this season.

Dalton Cooper, the team’s left tackle, acknowledged the need for improvement in the offensive line’s performance, stating, “We as an offensive line gotta block better, for sure. Our double teams, we’re not moving people off the ball like we should.” An evident shortcoming in their forward drive has contributed to their position as one of the lowest-ranking rushing offenses nationally.

Another aspect contributing to the team’s challenges has been defensive strategies that have not been overly aggressive towards Gordon, as previously suggested by Coach Gundy. Data reflects that Gordon has not often faced