How Ollie Gordon's hurdle provided 'juice' for Oklahoma State football's win vs. UCA

STILLWATER — Central Arkansas defensive back safety Tra Green went straight for Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon.

Then Green made a crucial mistake: He tried to size up the Cowboys’ electric sophomore.

“I’m just going to go over the top,” Gordon thought near the midway point of the fourth quarter in OSU’s 27-13 win Saturday night.

“I got to.”

And up and over Gordon went, hurdling the 6-foot, 200-pound Green, who was nearly fully upright as 6-foot-1 Gordon soared.

It was the exclamation point on a dominant closing period by Gordon, who later sealed the game with a 2-yard touchdown run.

More importantly, it was the strong finish the Cowboys needed on a sluggish night against an FCS opponent to open the season at Boone Pickens Stadium.

More: Oklahoma State football has two 100-yard passers & more stats from Cowboys' opener

“That’s one of the areas I was really pleased with because we needed that,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “We needed him to generate some power. He made some plays and generated some excitement.

“He could have done that earlier. We didn’t have anywhere for him to run. But he got going there and got us a little juice late.”

Gordon finished with 44 yards and the touchdown on seven carries. Five carries came in the fourth quarter when the game was tight. He had two carries in the opening period but did not touch the football in the second or third quarter.

Gundy said the offensive line was struggling until late.

So, it’s no surprise Gordon finally broke loose.

And it’s certainly not shocking to see him pull off a video-game move. Last season, he broke out a devastating spin move.

Saturday night, he felt he was constantly getting cut low by Central Arkansas defenders. So, he planned the hurdle at just the right moment.

“They think I’m just going to keep letting them cut me,” Gordon said.

So, what move is next for Gordon?

“I don’t know yet,” Gordon said. “You just gotta keep watching.”

More: Oklahoma State football vs. Central Arkansas: Five takeaways from Cowboys' win in opener

Nathan Latu off to strong start for Cowboys

A year ago, defensive end Nathan Latu was second on the team with four sacks. But he still struggled with consistency.

His first-career start got him going in the right way.

Latu had six total tackles and 1 ½ sacks, using his 6-foot-4, 265-pound frame to wreak havoc.

“What Gundy says is it just takes effort,” Latu said. “Effort is going to make up for anything.”

Latu spent the past two seasons fighting for playing time behind a talented group of defensive ends that included Tyler Lacy, Brock Martin, Trace Ford and Collin Oliver, who is now a linebacker.

Latu gained valuable experience, even if he at times grew frustrated.

But now he’s getting his chance.

“He’s unblockable if he doesn’t want to be,” new OSU defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo said. “He plays hard. He is driven. He’s a kid that you just have to understand he wants the best for this football team and he wants the best for us, and he wants to succeed. He is very driven to succeed.”

More: After 'good little test' for Oklahoma State football, Kasey Dunn eyes redemption tour

Cowboys get creative with Brennan Presley

Brennan Presley started on the right as the inside receiver. Then he broke into motion, cut between running back Jaden Nixon and Garret Rangel before stopping as a running back.

After the snap, Rangel threw a quick pass nearly backward to Presley, who broke free for an 11-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

A little wrinkle for the Cowboys’ most dynamic playmaker.

In an effort to get the football to Presley more, the Cowboys put him in motion and lined him up in the backfield.

“I get excited,” Presley said about lining up in the backfield. “It was something we talked about. So, it was just one of those things where we’re in the red zone and they’re calling my number so I have to make a play out there.”

Presley finished with just one official carry for 5 yards on a reverse. He had six receptions for 54 yards, including a 28-yard catch. He also had two kick returns for 25 yards.

Gundy said Presley needs to be around 12 touches per game.

And he proved that good things happen when he touches the football more.

“We can do a lot of things with him and we need to do a lot of things with him,” Gundy said. “We have to be able to use his ability and let him touch the ball. We have multiple ways to do that. We need to increase it.”

More: What to know about 2023 OSU Cowboys schedule, roster & more

OSU’s Preston Wilson unavailable

Cowboys starting right guard Preston Wilson was not suited up for the game due to what was reported on the radio broadcast as “non-football-related matters.”

Gundy did not elaborate after the game but did say Wilson was unavailable.

“It’s just between him and me,” Gundy said. “He’s not in any legal trouble.”

Wilson, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound redshirt senior, started 10 games last season, primarily at center. He did miss three games due to injury.

OSU was also without receiver Cale Cabbiness, who had his right arm in a sling. Offensive lineman Jake Springfield left the game with an ankle injury and linebacker Justin Wright left with an undisclosed injury.

Jacob Unruh covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Jacob’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football's Ollie Gordon sparks win vs UCA with hurdle