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QB competition continues, OK State takes on South Alabama

Sep 9, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Gundy remains unsettled about which of his three quarterbacks gives Oklahoma State the best chance to win.

His answer, to date, has been … all of them.

The Cowboys (2-0) can wrap the nonconference portion of the schedule with a perfect record and narrow options at the position on Saturday when South Alabama saunters into Stillwater not knowing whether senior Alan Bowman, sophomore Gunnar Gundy or redshirt freshman Garrett Rangel might captain the offensive ship for OSU.

Bowman brings the most experience with 17 career starts, including a win last week over Arizona State. He has played for Michigan and Texas Tech in addition to the Pokes. Besides being progeny of OSU’s head coach, Gundy has been a sparkplug for the offense. Rangel is worthy of starting after getting the call in three games in 2022 (Kansas, Wisconsin, West Virginia), Mike Gundy said.

Mike Gundy admits the unconventional approach might be unsettling to some, although he senses the team and QBs are “fine” with the status quo of an uncertain rotation.

“I watched them in practice, I watch them in the game, I watch them in the hotel and I watch them in the meals,” Mike Gundy said. “I just had a discussion with someone else about it, I don’t see (the team) partial to anybody. I think they like them all.”

South Alabama (1-1) lost the opener to Tulane and beat Southeastern Louisiana 35-17 last week. The Sun Belt team will try to reverse the fortunes of the conference against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are 18-3, facing Sun Belt foes entering Saturday.

The Jaguars did not allow a sack in their last game against a Power 5 opponent, UCLA, and kept quarterback Carter Bradley — the program’s all-time winningest QB with 11 wins — from being sacked last week.

Mike Gundy said the Jaguars will be the most physical team OSU has played.

South Alabama offensive coordinator Major Applewhite said the Cowboys bring personnel matchup concerns.

“The change for them defensively in some of their schemes is really good, especially with the way that they’re playing. A lot of really good players,” Applewhite side.

OSU is 2-0 all-time against South Alabama.

–Field Level Media

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