The Oklahoma State Cowboys kicked off their season with an intriguing matchup against the 2023 FCS champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits. This game was particularly significant for the Cowboys, as they were just a year removed from a crushing home defeat to the South Alabama Jaguars, losing 7-33 in week three of the 2023 season.
Many college football analysts highlighted this game against the Jackrabbits as a potential repeat of that disappointment. Throughout the 60 minutes, the Cowboys managed to keep the game competitive, but one notable storyline was the absence of QR codes on their opening day uniforms, which had been teased beforehand. These codes were intended to direct fans to the Cowboys’ general NIL fund page, allowing viewers to make donations in real-time.
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) August 31, 2024
The team’s page on X shared the QR code during the game, but for week one, the codes were absent from the uniforms, reportedly because the NCAA prohibited their use. Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy provided some clarification on the NCAA’s stance, detailing the potential consequences if players wore uniforms featuring the QR codes.
“It was punishable by the players being suspended if we put the QR codes on the helmets,” Gundy told media members Sunday. “It’s pretty vague, and all we’re trying to do is the most we can do to maximize our player’s opportunities with fans across the world that don’t have a chance to be involved if they’re not local, and they felt like that, it was a uniform violation because it had a social media handle to it.”
Although they couldn’t wear the QR codes on Saturday, Gundy realized their potential for generating NIL donations off the field. “It’s in restaurants, bars, and all around campus,” Gundy said.
“There’s a link on social media, but it’s not on the QR code. On Thursday night, the guy who monitors it for us texted me, saying people were sending money at a bar, and they raised several thousand dollars.”
Despite not having the QR codes, the Cowboys dominated the Jackrabbits with a score of 44-20. It remains to be seen if they can wear the codes in their week two home game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, scheduled for Sept. 7 at noon ET on ABC.
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