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Mike Gundy says Ollie Gordon II’s punishment will be handled in-house, but the Heisman-hopeful running back will not miss any games for Oklahoma State once the season begins.
Gordon was arrested last week on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was pulled over for speeding and during the traffic stop, troopers found open alcohol containers in his car. Gordon was booked into the Cleveland County jail in Oklahoma and later released on bond.
The junior apologized for the incident on Monday and traveled with the program to Big 12 Media Days in Vegas on Tuesday as one of 4 player representatives at the event. Gundy told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Tuesday that Gordon will not serve a game suspension as punishment for the incident.
“He’s going to play,” Gundy said, per Thamel.
Gundy added that Oklahoma State made the decision to bring him to the Big 12’s media event so that Gordon could answer questions about the incident and face some accountability.
“He needed to come out here and face the music. There’s no reason to hide him,” Gundy told reporters on Tuesday, per GoPokes247. “Everybody in the world has a suggestion on what we and I should (have) done in the situation, but not having him out front or talking to anyone until after the first game was a suggestion of quite a few people. To me, that’s the wrong thing to do.
“Unfortunately, I’m the guy who has to make those decisions. I asked him face to face: Do you want to come out here? I can’t make you, it’s your choice. He said ‘I want to come.’ I said what I need to know is that you understand how serious this situation is, how lucky you are, and that you’re going to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Gordon won the Doak Walker Award last season as college football’s best running back. After just 19 total carries through Oklahoma State’s first 3 games, Gordon went on to lead the FBS in rushing (1,732) and yards from scrimmage (2,062). His 21 rushing touchdowns also ranked second in the country.
There are high hopes for Gordon and the Cowboys’ offense in 2024. The Pokes are among Saturday Down South’s best bets to clear their win total (7.5) and win the Big 12. Gordon is also seen as a threat to win the Heisman Trophy. His current price to win the Heisman is +7500 at DraftKings — down from earlier in the spring but still the second-shortest of any non-quarterback.
Oklahoma State begins its season on Aug. 31 when it hosts South Dakota State.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
