Arrest, Restraining Order Mar Oklahoma State's Preparation for Georgia

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has been worried about his team's ability to focus in recent days because outside influences.

In the spirit of eliminating distractions, the fifth-year head coach and former OSU quarterback shut down media access for 10 days leading up to this weeks season-opening between the ninth-ranked Cowboys and 13th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

But it seems his own players may be contributing to their own distractions as OSU gets set to embark on what could be the biggest season in the program's history. Starting cornerback Perrish Cox Jr. was arrested over the weekend for driving on a suspended license, according to several reports out of Oklahoma.

And then Monday, Gundy confirmed to Oklahoma reporters that projected starting sophomore tight end Jamal Mosley had left the team for personal reasons. Mosley played in 11 games for the Cowboys last season, catching five passes for 57 yards as the backup to Brandon Pettigrew.

"Jamal Mosley is leaving our football team for personal reasons," Gundy said in a released statement. "He has been a good teammate and we wish him the best. We will have no further comment on this matter."

What Gundy didn't mention to reporters is that Mosley recently had a restraining order placed against him by by a woman in Stillwater last week.The Oklahoman found that out by searching documents on the Oklahoma State Courts Network. But that may not be the reason Mosley,who arrested earlier this summer on a marijuana charge, left the team.

As far as Cox, Gundy didn't have much to say about the incident. Cox will certainly be needed against Georgia's receiving corp Saturday.

"I am aware of it," Gundy said to reporters following practice Monday. "We handle all those things internally."

Let's make no mistake, these two incidents are not indication the Cowboys season is falling apart before it begins. What it does show is it's impossible to isolate your team from outside distractions. If they are not in front of young athletes, they will go find them. The media is rarely the problem.

It was interesting to listen to Gundy on Monday defend his decision to cut off media access to his team, which has been one of the biggest national stories of the preseason.

"The reason we did that was because had been open 16 days in a row and the questions became so repetitive," Gundy said. "It was just the same thing over and over. There was such a demand and it was taking up the players time and I just felt the players were kind of getting worn out."