The next few weeks could be big on the basketball recruiting front.

Oklahoma State is set to host four-star forward Justin McBride this weekend on an official visit, and in a few weeks, Mike Boynton and his staff will host four-star forward Ashton Hardaway on an official visit, according to 24/7 High School Hoops.

Hardaway, son of Memphis coach and former NBA star Penny Hardaway, picked up an Oklahoma State offer in June after playing with Houston Hoops (and Drive Nation) on Nike’s EYBL circuit. Houston Hoops made the semifinals at the Peach Jam, where Hardaway averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds a game.

After spending last school year in Duncanville, Texas, Hardaway is set to play at Sierra Canyon (California) for his senior season alongside Bronny James, son of LeBron James.

Hardaway is a modern stretch forward with his ability to shoot the 3. Some recruiting services list him as a power forward while others list him as a small forward. All list him at 6-foot-7.

Also boasting offers from Texas Tech, USC, SMU and others, Hardaway is a four-star prospect, according to ESPN. Rivals and 247Sports lists him a three-star standout. He is the No. 145 player in the 2023 composite rankings.

Oklahoma State has two commits in its 2023 class in four-star big man Brandon Garrison (Del City) and four-star point guard Jamyron Keller (Killeen, Texas). OSU’s class ranks 17th nationally and fourth in the Big 12.

With the upcoming visits, it looks as if Boynton might take another 2023 prospect if the right prospect becomes available. Broken Arrow guard Connor Dow was on an under-the-radar unofficial visit this week. Listed at 6-foot-5, Dow doesn’t have a high-major offer yet, but he did shoot 44% from 3 on the EYBL circuit this summer with Team Griffin.

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Almost a month to the date after suffering a fracture in his foot during preseason training camp, former OSU Cowboy and current Dallas Cowboy, James Washington, was placed on IR by the team. The procedural move and timing after final roster cuts means Washington made the 53-man roster but will be ineligible to return to action for at least four games.

Washington at the time of his injury had a recovery timeline that ranged somewhere between 6-10 weeks. He underwent surgery the first week of August. With the move to IR and Dallas’ apparent goal of being cautious with his recovery, a return for him could come sometime in mid to late October, or perhaps later.

The #Cowboys officially moved LT Tyron Smith and WR James Washington to Injured Reserve, giving both a chance to return.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2022

Dallas is in desperate need of depth at receiver after losing Amari Cooper to the Browns, Cedrick Wilson to the Dolphins and Michael Gallup to an ACL tear (he is expected back soon). Washington was potentially slated to grab a starting role early in the season because of depleted depth. Should he return at full health in October he could factor significantly into a passing attack that figures to be key on a team with playoff aspirations.

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The conference realignment cogs started turning again Wednesday.

After the Big 12 announced that it will accelerated its media rights negotiations, CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd is reporting that there are now active discussions taking place about Oklahoma and Texas leaving for the SEC earlier than original 2025 date. In order for Texas and OU to leave to the SEC before that, the schools would have to pay a hefty buyout fee, but that fee could likely be negotiated.

“In any situation like this, I always look for a win-win scenario,” said new Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark of the OU-Texit at Big 12 Media Days. “That being said, it’s important that whatever happens is in the best interest of this conference.”

Oklahoma and Texas shocked the college football ecosystem last summer with their plans to join the SEC, which has started a string of dominoes to fall like UCF, Houston, BYU and Cincinnati joining the Big 12 and the Big Ten stealing USC and UCLA from the Pac-12.

With the Pac-12’s current media rights deal set to end a year before the Big 12’s, the Big 12 accelerating it’s timeline is likely another chess move to stay ahead of the reeling Pac-12. Reports surfaced last week that Oregon and the Big Ten begam “preliminary talks,” and Dodd reports that Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has continued “some level of pursuit” of Oregon, Washington, Cal and Stanford, a move that would be another major blow to the Pac-12.

If the Big Ten does pull any more from the Pac-12, remaining Pac-12 schools would likely be more open to going elsewhere — schools like Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado that have already been linked with the Big 12.

With media rights deals coming up at different times, it could make for a messy few years where teams are waiting to get from one conference to another. That is unless certain schools can get out of deals early — like OU and Texas.

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Oklahoma State’s football season starts Thursday — yes, tomorrow! — and if you’re reading this, you’re just as amped to follow along as we are.

So why not fully engage on the upcoming rollercoaster ride by plugging into as many OSU outlets as possible?

With the season nearly underway, we’re asking you to follow us on social media to really get the full immersive experience of the season. We’re also willing to offer a little quid pro quo for your service, too: follow us, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win free swag from our store.

Simple! Just tap in and follow or like the below accounts, then leave us a comment at the link below (where it says “post a reply.”) If you’re already following the accounts, you can still leave us a comment and be entered.

OK. . . GO!

• Pistols Firing Facebook | Pistols Firing Twitter

• Marshall Scott

• Kyle Boone

• Kyle Cox

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The Cowboys’ running back room is a bit of an unknown entering 2022, but it looks like the world will have to wait a little longer to see one of John Wozniak’s guys.

Deondre Jackson, a transfer from Texas A&M, announced on Twitter on Wednesday morning that he won’t suit up against Central Michigan, saying he is dealing with “transcript issues.” The Cowboys play the Chippewas at 6 p.m. Thursday in Boone Pickens Stadium.

“I appreciate everybody welcoming me and wishing me luck for tomorrow’s game,” Jackson tweeted. “But I won’t be suiting up as I am still dealing with some transcript issues. However, my present situation is not my final destination.”

A 5-foot-11, 215-pound redshirt sophomore, Jackson impressed at camp, particularly with his willingness to pass block. He was listed as the Cowboys’ second running back alongside redshirt freshman Jaden Nixon and true freshman Ollie Gordon on the Cowboys’ first depth chart that came out last week. Dominic Richardson is the Cowboys’ starters.

Jackson was the No. 859 player in the 2020 class out of Stone Mountain, Georgia. He held offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and others before signing with A&M. In two seasons with the Aggies, he had two carries for 15 yards.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Thursday that he wasn’t sure how he would divvy carries between the four backs listed on the two-deep. But now OSU fans should expect heavier doses of Nixon and Gordon when Richardson needs a breather.

“I’m hoping that they all stay healthy and based on maturity and experience, that Dominic totes the load,” Gundy said. “And then let the other guys — because the other guys haven’t played — let them get their feet wet and not just put them out there and just have to handle it.”

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The Big 12 Conference on Wednesday announced it will be entering into discussions with its multimedia partners on its next media rights deal on an “accelerated extension of its current agreements.” The talks come amidst a chaotic summer of realignment, potentially giving the Big 12 an early edge to secure both its financial and relevancy future within the quickly shifting landscape.

“It is an exciting time for college athletics and given the changing landscape we welcome the opportunity to engage with our partners to determine if an early extension is in the best interest of all parties,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark in a statement.  “The Big 12 has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with its multi-media rights holders, and I look forward to having these conversations.”

The announcement means the Big 12 and its new leader will be having accelerated talks with both FOX and ESPN about a potential new agreement. The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reports those talks will begin first with ESPN “as early as next week,” and discussions with FOX are “expected to start after Labor Day.”

The Big 12’s new deal, however it is shaped, would begin in 2025 with its current Grant of Rights set to roll out through 2024. The accelerated timeline could put the league in the catbird position to lock up its future, but it is not without its challenges, either. Just weeks ago the Pac-12 also announced it was entering into early negotiations with media partners, though its Grant of Rights expires a year earlier than the Big 12, in 2023.

With the Big Ten announcing a new mega-deal earlier this month that reset the market, the Pac-12 was expected to be next in line to effectively reset the market post-Big Ten. The Big 12, though, is essentially trying to get ahead of talks a year early, setting up an interesting race alongside the Pac-12, as both are ESPN and FOX partners.

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Malcolm Rodriguez officially made the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster on Tuesday. The former Cowboy has been a mainstay of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ all preseason, which can be a bad omen sometimes — they often feature players on the roster bubble — but that was clearly not the case with “Rodrigo.”

Instead, Rodriguez was again a feature point for all the right reasons in the latest episode that aired Tuesday night (for the third time!), the same day NFL teams had to cut rosters down to 53 players. Rodriguez made the active roster and as a cherry on top, he again was the subject of praise from his coaches for strong play in practice and during preseason action.

Here are the highlights.

• In a practice run-through, Malcolm gets the sack on starting QB Jared Goff by running free up the middle. “We cramping tonight, baby,” says Rodriguez with a wily grin. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn gives him props: “You was on his a**!”

• Malcolm stuffs a run during a run-through, and head coach Dan Campbell lets out the full approval: “I like it, Malcolm! Good! Good!”

• Rodriguez got his own mini-segment with his family! His brother, Gabriel, mom, Shanna, and dad, Romeo all appeared before a preseason game in Pittsburgh. They met in a hotel room. Talked about the old “Top Gun” movie, preseason performance, playing against Najee Harris and more.

• The Rodriguez family is a treasure that must be protected at all costs. The HBO staff shows them in the stands talking together, debating who has the best dancing skills and which side of the family the talents came from. Shanna says, “I can dance! I can dance! I can salsa!” Gabriel, Malcolm’s brother, not so convinced. Great content!

• Perfect TV transition next. HBO’s narrator goes from talking about steps in dancing to Rodriguez knowing all the steps as a rookie. “The rookie linebacker may not know all the steps yet, but he’s looking like a steal in Pittsburgh. . . “

• Rodriguez stuffs a hole in run protection, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn comes in with a glowing review: “That is why I f*** with you,” he says to Rodriguez. “Hell of a job!”

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After a 243 day break, Cowboy football is officially back.

Well, almost.

Oklahoma State hosts Central Michigan on Thursday night in a game where the Pokes will look to avenge their 2016 loss to the Chippewas after a controversial untimed down/Hail Mary. Here is everything you need to know to get ready for Thursday’s fun.

Viewing Info

Time: 6 p.m. Thursday
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Watch: FS1 (Jason Benetti and Brock Huard)

Team Stats

	Oklahoma State	Central Michigan
Record	12-2	9-4
Points Per Game	31.1	32.3
Points Allowed Per Game	18.1	25.8
Total Offense	417.4	443.4
Rushing Offense	185.5	178
Passing Offense	231.9	265.4
Total Defense	297.9	381.9
Rushing Defense	87.6	118.5
Passing Defense	210.2	263.3

Leading Returners

Passing:
OSU — Spencer Sanders — 243-for-392 (62%)/2,839 yards/20 touchdowns/12 interceptions
CMU — Daniel Richardson — 191-for-316 (60%)/2,633 yards/24 touchdowns/6 interceptions

Rushing:
OSU — Spencer Sanders — 146 carries/668 yards/6 touchdowns
CMU — Lew Nichols — 314 carries/1,848 yards/16 touchdowns

Receiving:
OSU — Brennan Presley — 50 catches/619 yards/5 touchdowns
CMU — Dallas Dixon — 45 catches/701 yards/8 touchdowns

Tackling:
OSU — Jason Taylor — 48 total tackles/37 solo tackles/6.5 tackles for loss
CMU — Donte Kent — 55 total tackles/45 solo tackles/0 tackles for loss

Sacks:
OSU — Collin Oliver — 11.5 sacks
CMU — John Wesley Whiteside — 6.5 sacks

Series History

Whether it should’ve been allowed or not (it shouldn’t have been), Central Michigan’s untimed down Hail Mary is what college football is all about.

The infamous untimed down Hail Mary of 2016 will be played at nauseum during the leadup to Thursday night’s contest. After a intentional grounding was called against Mason Rudolph as the clock expired, the officiating crew erroneously awarded CMU a free play with the clock on all zeros. Cooper Rush heaved a ball to the 10-yard line that was tossed back to Corey Willis who won a race to the pylon to give the Chippewas a 30-27 victory.

That game saw Cooper Rush, who spent the past four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, throw for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those scores went to Tyler Conklin, now a tight end for the New York Jets.

That game marks the last time OSU has lost a preseason nonconference game.

The two teams also met the season prior on the Chippewas’ home turf. That game saw OSU win 24-13 in a Thursday night season opener. Rudolph threw for 266 yards and a touchdown that evening. He also had a 21-yard touchdown run.

Season	Winner	Score	Location
2016	Central Michigan	30-27	Stillwater
2015	Oklahoma State	24-13	Mount Pleasant

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Thanks for stopping by – here’s your daily dose of Oklahoma State sports news.

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Twas the morning before the 2022 season.

OSU Bullets

• The PFB crew makes picks for the 2022 season. [PFB]

• Carson and Colby preview the Cowboys’ game against Central Michigan. [PFB]

• Mike Gundy tells excellent stories on OSU Max’s new podcast series. [OSU Max]

• It was a good day for rookie Pokes, as five made it past the 53-man roster cuts. [PFB]

• OSU is “gonna need” Langston Anderson this season after a freak pregame injury saw him miss all of last season. [The Oklahoman]

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Non-OSU Bullets

• OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren’s foot surgery was “successful.” [OKC Thunder]

• Episode 2 of House of the Dragon had 10.2 million viewers across all platforms. It’s not often non-sports do such big numbers in the modern age. After the end of Game of Thrones sort of stunk, it’s nice to get back into things. [Variety]

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Carson Cunningham and Colby Powell preview OSU’s season opener vs. Central Michigan and make their predications.

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