Oklahoma State football: Calvin Bundage has setback with back injury

Oklahoma State’s top linebacker Calvin Bundage could miss Saturday’s game against FCS McNeese State due to a lingering back injury.

OSU head coach Mike Gundy said Monday the senior linebacker had a setback about 10 days ago that forced him to miss the Cowboys’ season-opening 52-36 win at Oregon State. Gundy added the injury won’t require surgery and is more of a pain-tolerance situation.

“He’s got a back issue, and they’re hard to determine,” Gundy said Monday during his weekly press conference. “Sometimes guys come back quick, sometimes they don’t.”

If Bundage is unable to play, junior Malcolm Rodriguez takes his place for a second straight week. Rodriguez had nine tackles and a quarterback hurry in his debut at linebacker after playing safety last season.

Bundage has 129 total tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 35 career games.

Israel Antwine update

Gundy also provided an update on Colorado transfer Israel Antwine, who missed the Oregon State game for “personal reasons.” Gundy said Antwine “should be” available against McNeese State (1-0). Antwine is practicing with the 1s and 2s this week, and Gundy said he’ll know more about his status in the coming days.

Antwine, a Millwood High product from Oklahoma City, started 11 games for Colorado as a freshman.