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STILLWATER — Through the first 12 games of last season, Sesi Vailahi prepared like he was going to play, but never expected it.
As Oklahoma State’s fourth-string running back, he knew his time would only come in a massive blowout.
So the freshman watched and waited.
Then, as the Cowboys prepared for the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas, attrition in the running back room elevated Vailahi to second string behind superstar Ollie Gordon II.
And though Vailahi grew up in Utah, getting the chance to play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, held a special significance.
“The Dallas Cowboys are my favorite NFL team, so it was like, if I go in this game and play in this stadium, I don’t care. Just put me out there,” Vailahi said. “Because of the situation, (running backs coach John Wozniak) told me, ‘Hey, you’re gonna go in this game. I need you to be ready.’”
In all, Vailahi appeared in three games as a running back, producing 39 yards on eight total touches, getting valuable experience while maintaining his redshirt status.
More: Can Oklahoma State football run the Big 12? Best-case, worst-case scenario for Cowboys
A a redshirting freshman, Sesi Vailahi played in four games, but his role will be more significant as one of Ollie Gordon II’s primary backups.
But his days of not expecting to play can be forgotten.
As the 18th-ranked Cowboys enter their season opener against FCS No. 1 South Dakota State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, Vailahi is in a primary backup role to Gordon.
And though Gordon remains the star of the show, OSU coach Mike Gundy also has stressed throughout August his desire to take some of the load off the back of the reigning Doak Walker Award winner.
“We’re in decent shape now with some experience so that should allow us to protect him for us and protect him for the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/back-oklahoma-state-football-rb-113051413.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-08-28 11:30:51
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