STILLWATER — Mason Rudolph was throwing passes in a 7-on-7 drill during Oklahoma State's practice Wednesday morning about the time word began to spread through the Sherman Smith Center.
Oklahoma State — and specifically its quarterback — was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
The players, of course, didn't learn until after practice that they are one of four programs, along with Ohio State, USC and Alabama, featured on the regional covers of the magazine's college football preview issue.
The OSU cover features an image of Rudolph in mid-stride, looking to throw the ball, with the phrase “Orange Rush” overlaid in black.