As Oklahoma State University approaches the 2025 season, the football program is reflecting on a tumultuous 2024 campaign that concluded with a disappointing 3-9 record. With nine consecutive losses, all against Big 12 opponents, this marked the Cowboys’ least successful season in three decades.
The decline is particularly striking given the team’s recent competitiveness, having contended for Big 12 championships in two of the three prior seasons. The Cowboys returned 20 starters this year, making their downfall all the more puzzling. Adverse health issues afflicted the defensive line, yet the offense struggled to regain its previous effectiveness with the same personnel from the prior season.
Head coach Mike Gundy attributed the offense’s inconsistencies mainly to erratic quarterback play. He noted the disparities in performance levels of quarterback Alan Bowman, mentioning that sporadic output contributed significantly to the team’s mediocre results. Gundy stressed that without a consistent offensive showing across all three phases of the game, the team was unable to pull together a successful season.
A few critical issues notably hindered the Cowboys’ performance this year:
1. **Offensive Line Struggles**: Gundy initially focused on quarterback play, but the inability of the offensive line, composed of seasoned sixth-year seniors, to support a reliable run game quickly emerged as a core issue. The reigning Doak Walker Award winner, Ollie Gordon II, had a promising start with 126 rushing yards in the season opener, but performance dwindled. He managed to reach the century mark only four times during the season, leaving the team heavily reliant on its quarterback under unfavorable conditions.
2. **Defensive Woes**: The Cowboys faced significant challenges on defense, particularly against the run. Injuries to standout players, including Collin Oliver and Nick Martin, hampered their capacity to make successful tackles and stops. Consequently, their defense ranked near the bottom of Division I programs, allowing over 500 yards per game and struggling to prevent opposing offenses from capitalizing on their weaknesses.
3. **Quarterback Shuffle**: The team faced a rotating door at quarterback, beginning with Bowman, who initially looked promising but ultimately faltered under pressure. After switching to Garret Rangel, the team faced another setback when Rangel suffered a broken collarbone. Bowman’s return to the starting position proved ineffective as the team continued to grapple with losses, leading to an uncertain quarterback situation heading into the offseason.
Despite these challenges, the Cowboys have the opportunity to regroup. With the right adjustments and a commitment to strengthening their weak points, they can rebuild for a more promising future. Embracing a new strategy, enhancing player health, and identifying a stable leader at quarterback could lead the Cowboys back to competitive form.
As the program looks ahead, there is potential for growth in the offseason, providing students and fans hope for the coming year. With dedication and resilience, Oklahoma State can emerge stronger, ready to reclaim its position as a formidable opponent in the Big 12.