Oklahoma State senior defensive back Perrish Cox was arrested last week by the Stillwater (Okla.) Police Department on charges of driving with a suspended license.
Stillwater Police Capt. Randy Dickerson said Tuesday that Cox was stopped for speeding and then arrested because he was driving with a suspended license. According to the department, the fine for driving in Stillwater with a suspended license is $240.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Monday that the program would deal with the situation. "We handle all of those things internally," Gundy said.
The arrest is significant because it came at the end of a week where Gundy had placed the Cowboys in a media lockdown to improve their focus for Saturday's key opener with Georgia -- a game that is widely considered the biggest opening game in the history of the OSU program.
Cox is a significant player for the Cowboys because he is their only returning starter in the secondary. The Oklahoma State defense struggled last season, ranking 93rd in total defense, 107th in sacks and 109th in pass defense.
The Cowboys were blistered for 42 points by Oregon in the Holiday Bowl, 56 points by Texas Tech and 61 points by Oklahoma in a late defensive slump that saw them with three losses during a four-game span to finish the 2008 season. The Cowboys finished at 9-4 after starting with eight wins in their first nine games.
Cox also is the Cowboys' primary kickoff returner after ranking third nationally and leading the Big 12 with an average of 29.8 yards per return last season. He likely will be matched with Georgia standout sophomore wide receiver A.J. Green in the Cowboys' opening game.
Tim Griffin covers college football for ESPN.com. You may contact him at espntimgriff@yahoo.com.