Sep. 5—STILLWATER — Oklahoma State defensive end Trace Ford’s season is over.

During practice this week, Ford suffered another torn anterior cruciate ligament — this time in his other knee — and will miss this season, his mom, Desirae, told The Oklahoman.

Ford missed Saturday’s game after it was initially reported on the radio broadcast that he recently underwent a “minor medical” procedure. After the 23-16 win against Missouri State, OSU coach Mike Gundy said Ford “won’t be back for awhile.”

Ford suffered a torn ACL in December against Baylor, ending his season. He did not participate in spring practices and was limited in fall camp.

But he was progressing normally until suffering another injury in Thursday’s practice.

A 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior from Edmond Santa Fe, Ford had 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles last season. One forced fumble set up a touchdown return by Tyren Irby.

Ford’s absence moves veteran Brock Martin into a starting role. Martin had five tackles, a half sack and two quarterback hurries on Saturday.

Ford wasn’t the only key Cowboy absent in Saturday’s opener.

Starting quarterback Spencer Sanders did not play due to COVID-19 protocols. Gundy expects Sanders to return to practice next week.

Others who did not play include defensive tackles Collin Clay and Israel Antwine, offensive guard Hunter Woodard, safety Thomas Harper, tight end Logan Carter, receivers Blaine Green, John Paul Richardson and Langston Anderson.

Gundy said some were also in COVID-19 protocols, while others were injured. Anderson suffered an injury during pregame.

Gundy said Clay, Green and Carter would also be out for a while.

Defense stands tall

Needing a stop in the final minute, OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles went on the attack.

Seven Cowboys blitzed Missouri State quarterback Jason Shelley on third-and-10 from OSU’s 26-yard line with less than 30 seconds remaining. True freshman Collin Oliver and sophomore Jabbar Muhammad got to Shelley.

On fourth down, the Cowboys went with less pressure, but had the same result. Devin Harper and Martin broke free to sack Shelley and preserve the win.

“You gotta live in your hopes and fears,” Knowles said about the heavy blitzes he called throughout the game. “You always have to be able to present to the offense the ability that we have in our system. We have the ability to send every single guy.

“That’s what I like to call playing offense on defense, because when you call things like that you’re actually dialing up a play kinda like an offense does.”

OSU totaled five sacks on the night and limited Missouri State to just 5 of 17 on third down. Missouri State averaged 4 yards per play and just 2.8 yards per rush.

And the Cowboys’ defense held the Bears to three field goals until the fourth quarter.

“We’ve been there, we’ve done that,” OSU linebacker Devin Harper said. “Coach Knowles tells us all the time that it’s up to us. If it comes down to us, we’ve gotta make it happen. We made it happen.”

A slam dunk?

Sophomore cornerback Korie Black looked like a basketball player at just the right time.

After OSU’s Tom Hutton kicked a high punt early in the final quarter, Missouri State’s Naveon Mitchell misplayed the catch and missed, but he still touched the football.

That allowed Black to leap high in the air and recover the muffed punt, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Alex Hale for a 23-9 lead with 13:05 remaining.

“I thought if it was a basket, he might have dunked it,” Knowles said. “We were talking on the phones and I said, ‘Man, it looks like he was going to dunk a basketball.’”

Young receivers get big opportunity

OSU’s offense underwent some last-minute changes with the sudden injury to Anderson, and a few true freshmen benefitted the most.

Bryson Green and Jaden Bray made their debuts with big plays.

Green earned the start with the absence of his twin brother, Blaine. He caught three passes for 41 yards. Bryson did catch a pass in the back of the end zone, but he was unable to get a foot inbounds for the touchdown.

Bray, a Norman graduate, caught two passes for 52 yards, filling in for Anderson at times. Bray’s first reception was a 36-yard grab leaping over a defender in tight coverage.

“They really stepped up to the plate,” OSU quarterback Shane Illingworth said. “Jaden Bray, he’s going to be a special player. He’s already a special kid. He’s great off the field also.

“Bryson, we’re just recruiting guys that are just as special off the field as on. They were ready, they were prepared, they made big plays, they ran the right routes, they really stepped up to the plate.”

Sterling to miss first half against Tulsa

The Cowboys will be without one of their star safeties for the first half of Saturday’s matchup with Tulsa.

Tre Sterling III was ejected with 3:06 remaining for targeting on a hit to Missouri State receiver Tyrone Scott, who caught the pass for an 8-yard touchdown.

The penalty was confirmed on an official’s review.

“That’s not good,” Knowles said. “He’s one of our leaders. I don’t know about the call. My job is to coach the defense. That’s just the way it is in college football. I feel bad for Tre.”