STILLWATER — Already 22nd all-time at Oklahoma State with 70 careerreceptions, first-team All-Big 12 tight end Brandon Pettigrew is set to take on a new role this year.

“I’m trying to play in a leadership role,” Pettigrew said.

That role was obvious during OSU’s first scrimmage a few weeks ago. While Pettigrew didn’t get any action throughout the two-hour scrimmage, he was jumping around, whooping and hollering during warm-ups to get his teammates fired up to play.

Coach Mike Gundy joked that he may have been fired up because he thought he was going to get to play, but is not surprised by his actions.

“Brandon likes to play football,” said Gundy. “He is in a leadership role.”

Leading by example, Pettigrew is hopeful that not only is his intensity matched by teammates, but also by making plays on the field.

“When somebody makes a play, it is contagious,” Pettigrew said. “If a guy is out there making plays, they’ll say ‘I’m going to also.’”

Pettigrew has made plenty of plays during his three years of football for the Cowboys. One of the most notable was a 54-yard game-winning touchdown against Texas Tech with 1:37 remaining on the clock last season.

The pass was thrown by Zac Robinson, who doesn’t take Pettigrew for granted.

“He definitely takes a lot of pressure off of me,” said Robinson. “He is an unbelievable player.”

Pettigrew’s stats speak for themselves. Third in receptions last year, with 35 catches at a 15.4 yard average and four touchdowns is a pretty good year. But Pettigrew is not satisfied.

“Hopefully, I’ll have a better year,” Pettigrew said.

With size, standing 6-foot-6 to match speed and great hands, Pettigrew’s blocking ability sometimes gets overlooked. However, Gundy is not one that overlooks that aspect of his game.