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Oklahoma natives celebrate homecoming
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-10-31
Iowa State defensive end Rashawn Parker will never play closer to his home.
Boone Pickens Stadium is only 30 minutes from Parker’s Ponca City, Okla., home and Parker, along with the four other Oklahomans’ on the Cyclone roster, wants to make the most of his homecoming against No. 9 Oklahoma State in Stillwater today (2:30 p.m., ABC).
“This is a big game for me,†Parker said. “It’s close to my hometown and I’m excited.â€
Parker, who has 15 tackles and one sack this year, rounded up 28 tickets for the game and his nerves were beginning to act up early in the week in anticipation of playing in front of so many family and friends.
“It adds to the excitement seeing all the family,†Parker said. “It’s a more emotional game.â€
Defensive tackle Michael Tate, a Tulsa native, had to secure about 30 tickets for the game because so many family and friends wanted to make the trip. And after sitting out the Texas A&M game with a right shoulder injury, Tate is doing all he can to make sure he plays in his home state.
“My shoulder has been bothering me for like the past three weeks and I needed to let it rest,†Tate said. “I just took last game off and will probably be back this game.â€
If Tate, who has recorded 16 tackles and two tackles for loss in 2008, is limited in his play time today, expect fellow Oklahoman and true freshman Stephen Ruempolhamer to see extended action. Ruempolhamer, who is from Tulsa, recovered a fumble in his first career start last week in the 49-35 loss to Texas A&M.
“He played real well,†Tate said. “He is a true freshman and in a conference like the one we are in it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior, it’s always going to be a challenge. He stepped up to the plate and did a real good job.â€
Parker hopes to do the same today so he can have some conversation material with an old friend.
Parker’s former youth football teammate, wide receiver Bo Bowling, plays for Oklahoma State. And if Parker can slow down the potent Cowboy offense, he’ll be sure to catch Bowling before he heads off the field.
“I haven’t talked to (Bowling) at all this season,†Parker said. “We both have busy schedules, but we’ll talk after the game and probably during the game as well.â€
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2008-10-31
Iowa State defensive end Rashawn Parker will never play closer to his home.
Boone Pickens Stadium is only 30 minutes from Parker’s Ponca City, Okla., home and Parker, along with the four other Oklahomans’ on the Cyclone roster, wants to make the most of his homecoming against No. 9 Oklahoma State in Stillwater today (2:30 p.m., ABC).
“This is a big game for me,†Parker said. “It’s close to my hometown and I’m excited.â€
Parker, who has 15 tackles and one sack this year, rounded up 28 tickets for the game and his nerves were beginning to act up early in the week in anticipation of playing in front of so many family and friends.
“It adds to the excitement seeing all the family,†Parker said. “It’s a more emotional game.â€
Defensive tackle Michael Tate, a Tulsa native, had to secure about 30 tickets for the game because so many family and friends wanted to make the trip. And after sitting out the Texas A&M game with a right shoulder injury, Tate is doing all he can to make sure he plays in his home state.
“My shoulder has been bothering me for like the past three weeks and I needed to let it rest,†Tate said. “I just took last game off and will probably be back this game.â€
If Tate, who has recorded 16 tackles and two tackles for loss in 2008, is limited in his play time today, expect fellow Oklahoman and true freshman Stephen Ruempolhamer to see extended action. Ruempolhamer, who is from Tulsa, recovered a fumble in his first career start last week in the 49-35 loss to Texas A&M.
“He played real well,†Tate said. “He is a true freshman and in a conference like the one we are in it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior, it’s always going to be a challenge. He stepped up to the plate and did a real good job.â€
Parker hopes to do the same today so he can have some conversation material with an old friend.
Parker’s former youth football teammate, wide receiver Bo Bowling, plays for Oklahoma State. And if Parker can slow down the potent Cowboy offense, he’ll be sure to catch Bowling before he heads off the field.
“I haven’t talked to (Bowling) at all this season,†Parker said. “We both have busy schedules, but we’ll talk after the game and probably during the game as well.â€
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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