LAS VEGAS — Oklahoma State All-America operating again Ollie Gordon II won’t miss any enjoying time within the wake of his current DUI arrest, in line with Cowboys coach Mike Gundy.
Gordon, the Large 12’s Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 2023, was arrested for suspicion of driving below the affect on the morning of June 30. Gundy pressured that Gordon was fortunate that neither he nor nobody else was injured.
“He will play,” Gundy advised ESPN on Tuesday. “I will do what we expect is finest for Oklahoma State soccer. And I feel it is best for Ollie to play. If there’s any punishment, it is making him carry the ball 50 instances within the first sport.”
Gordon, 20, issued a proper apology Monday and mentioned Tuesday that he could not elaborate on specifics due to authorized causes. The choice to convey Gordon to Large 12 media day within the wake of the arrest was a shocking one, however Gundy mentioned that Gordon is on a “shorter leash” transferring ahead and that accountability of answering questions for his mistake was a part of the training course of.
“Your punishment goes to be going through the info,” Gundy mentioned he advised Gordon. “That is why we introduced him right here right now.”
Gundy added that he advised Gordon that issues are completely different in faculty soccer than 5 years in the past, with athletes “primarily staff” now.
“I mentioned, ‘You are not going into hiding. You are going to face the music, you are going to have to face up and speak to folks and reply questions. And, hopefully, greater than soccer, you’ll be able to be taught from the scenario you’ve got been in,'” Gundy mentioned. “As a result of if not, then we have now an actual difficulty.”
Gundy added that his first response upon listening to in regards to the scenario was asking if anybody bought injured.
“Ollie may be very lucky that he was in a position to get out of that scenario with out anybody getting damage,” Gundy mentioned.
Gordon mentioned that he has a gathering scheduled in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with Gundy upon return from media days.
“No matter he decides,” Gordon mentioned in reference to punishment, “I again it one hundred percent.”
Oklahoma State opens the season with South Dakota State, the two-time defending FCS champion, and hosts Arkansas the next week. Oklahoma State is among the many favorites within the Large 12, because it returns 20 starters, together with Gordon, from a workforce that reached the Large 12 title sport.
Oklahoma State is also a critical contender for the School Soccer Playoff, which expands to 12 groups this 12 months. Oklahoma State has appeared within the CFP rankings 43 instances since they began in 2014, and solely Utah (44) has appeared extra instances with out reaching the four-team playoff.
Gordon, a junior from Fort Value, Texas, is likely one of the faces of the game in 2024, having earned the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s high tailback. He completed seventh within the Heisman Trophy voting and earned unanimous All-America honors. He completed 2023 with 1,732 yards dashing and 21 dashing touchdowns. He added 330 receiving yards and an extra receiving landing.
“He is on a shorter leash proper now, sadly,” Gundy mentioned. “As a result of I perceive younger folks, all of us make errors. If we do not be taught from these, then it is probably not good. We have had a number of conversations. We’ll have extra over the subsequent month. I feel that he understands how critical that scenario was. Hopefully he can be taught from it and transfer ahead.”
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Kyle Bonagura contributed to this report.