TU Looking To Earn Respect As Opener Against OSU Approaches

The Turnpike Classic between the OSU Cowboys and the upset-minded Golden Hurricane is next Thursday in Stillwater, and T.U. said they know they're in for a challenge.

The Golden Hurricane still haven’t named a starting quarterback as attention is quickly turning to the season opener against Oklahoma State.

Head Coach Philip Montgomery coached against the Cowboys in 2011 while he was at Baylor and had some high praise for Mike Gundy’s team.

"I think it's probably the most talented one I've ever faced with him as the head coach there," he said.

A large part of that is the offense.

Mason Rudolph and James Washington will be a tough test for a TU defense that Montgomery said is better than it has ever been.

"I don't know how you keep Washington in front of you. He's a guy that can blow the top off at any time. But I do feel like we've got more length and more speed right now in our secondary than we've had since I've been here," he said.

The Golden Hurricane said they typical ‘it’s just the first game,’ but there is an undercurrent of excitement with the fact that it is Oklahoma State.

TU has made no secret of the fact that they want more respect in their own conference, and in their own state, and they know this game could go a long way to giving them just that.

"Gosh, try not to put too much onto one game, but we're obviously very excited for the opportunity to go over to Stillwater and so something special," said Defensive End Jesse Brubaker said.

Montgomery said, "We're excited about the opportunity, and I know our guys, I don't know that I have to preach that to them. I think they're aware of it."

As they say, respect is earned.