Gundy Supports Bryant's Reinstatement

Suspended Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant has the support of head coach Mike Gundy as he heads to Indianapolis on Tuesday to request reinstatement by the NCAA.

Bryant, the Cowboys All-American receiver/punt returner, was suspended by OSU last week after it came out that he lied to the NCAA about his involvement with former star NFL cornerback Deion Sanders. The NCAA said Bryant violated a rule governing ethical conduct by lying to investigators. Apparently, the NCAA asked Bryant about going to Sanders home in the Dallas-area last May and he denied going.

Sanders has since said he and Bryant have had a longstanding relationship and that there was nothing improper about their interaction. Sanders, who attended Florida State, has no connection to Oklahoma State. Bryant missed the Cowboys win Saturday at Texas A&M, but will meet with NCAA officials Tuesday in hopes of being reinstated for the home game against Missouri on Saturday.

"We are in the reinstatement process here, which means we are supporting Dez Bryant in this case," Gundy said during Monday's Big 12 Football media call. "We understand he made a mistake being untruthful to the NCAA. Dez is very sorry about that and Oklahoma State is just the same.

"We are in the reinstatement process and that should take place this week. Quite honestly I am 100 percent in support and want the best for Dez Bryant but my first concern right now is getting the players ready who will be out there practicing tonight."

The 16th-ranked Cowboys barely escaped A&M this past Saturday with a 36-31 win without their top playmaker. That might be more difficult this week against an explosive Missouri squad that plays much better defense.

Bryant, who has appeared in just three games this season, leads the Cowboys with 17 catches for 323 yards and four touchdowns. He's averaging 19.0 yards per catch and 107.7 yards per game, while also averaging 37.0 yards per punt return and has one 82-yard punt return so far this season.

"Obviously he is a good football player and he makes a lot of plays but it doesn't do anything for us as a staff to concern ourselves with the players that aren't out there," Gundy said. "For me to sit here and say it doesn't hurt to lose a good player ... Everybody in the country is missing some good players. But we want Dez back. If he was here we would have him on the field, we would have him involved in the game plan, but right now he is not."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=515420&pid=515419&uts=1255381631

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Latest College Football Photos

Washington's Kavario Middleton catches a pass for a touchdown against Arizona during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

FR74207 AP

Latest College Football Images

In this Sept. 26, 2009, photo, Michigan cornerback Boubacar Cissoko (33) trails Indiana wide receiver Tandon Doss (2) on a long pass during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan has suspended Cissoko indefinitely for violating team rules. Coach Rich Rodriguez made the announcement Saturday night, Oct. 10, after Iowa beat the Wolverines 30-28. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

Washington's Desmond Trufant returns an intercepting of a pass from Arizona's Nick Foles at the end fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Earlier in the quarter Washington intercepted another pass returning it for a touchdown to win 36-33 over Arizona. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Arizona's Nick Foles, left, talks with teammates before taking to the field for the final series against Washington during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Foles gave up two interceptions near the end of the game one scoring the winning touchdown as Washington wins 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Washington players including Taylor Bean, front, celebrate the 36-33 win over Arizona of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian congratulates quarterback Jake Locker after the 36-33 win over Arizona in an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Washington's Devin Aguilar, right, celebrates with Senio Kelemete, left after Aguilar scored a touchdown against Arizona during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton (2) passes during the first half of their NCAA college football game against BYU at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall watches his team during the second half of their NCAA college football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

BYU quarterback Max Hall (15) looks to pass against UNLV during the first half of their NCAA college football game at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)