Cowboys' Fans Disappointed for Loss, Look Forward to the Future

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- OSU rode into Texas with a chance to make school history at the Cotton Bowl. A win over Ole Miss would have set a school record for the most wins in a season, but with the season ending on a low note, fans are now looking to the future.

The Pokes were plagued with problems including seven turnovers. Once the Cowboys got knocked down, they just couldn't get back on the horse. Ole Miss won 21 to 7.

Numerous Cowboys' fans in Tulsa were hoping for more Orange Power. More than two dozen fans cheering on the orange and black gathered for the official OSU Alumni Association watch party in Tulsa.

"It's a defensive battle. We got to make it happen on offense though, change of field position," said Trent Baker, OSU Class of '81.

They had different reasons for being at the watch party. Some didn't want to drive to Dallas for the game, and others just didn't want to mess with a party at home.

"The real reason was because we didn't want to clean house, and we couldn't think of another dip to make. We're all burned out on dips and hors d'oeuvres so we just decided it would be more fun to come and be with friends and not have to clean house," said Terry Baker, OSU Class of '81.

There was even an Ole Miss fan in hostile territory.

"Hotty, totty, go Rebels," said Ole Miss fan Carolyn Kirk as she was laughing.

Kirk is a Mississippi native living in Oklahoma. She said she wasn't worried about cheering on the Rebels in a sea of orange.

"Because it's fun to be with other people to celebrate. It doesn't matter who wins or loses," Kirk said.

It has been an odd season for the Pokes, at one point ranked in the top five, then losing Dez Bryant, then losing in a shutout to the Sooners. But, despite it all, the fans at the reunion said they like where the Cowboys' program is headed.

"It's on it's way up, continuing to be on its way up. It's a well respected program. I only think it's going to go up from here," said Dwight Beck, OSU Class of '81.