Sep 12, 2013 03:56 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Sports Illustrated has released the third of its five-part investigative piece on the widespread and long running football scandal at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

"Part 3: the Drugs," was published online Thursday and has alleged that some players on the team from 2001 to 2011 either took or dealt drugs. Some got high in playing for games, but the report also alleges that the school new about the drug abuse and did not discipline the players.

Mike Gundy, who took over as head coach after serving as offensive coordinator during Les Miles' tenure from 2001 to 2004, suspended Bo Bowling for being arrested with marijuana possession and intent to distribute.

Afterward, however, nothing happened. According to SI, there was no internal investigation and no effort to try and find who he had dealt to, if anyone at all. Gundy and the school's administration did not make an effort to find out if drug use was a problem among the other players.

Apparently, it was.

"Drugs were everywhere," said Donnell Williams, a linebacker on the OSU Cowboys in 2006. He said he did not use anything, but that he observed plenty of players who did.

"[Against] teams we knew we were going to roll, a couple of guys would get high," said Calvin Mickens, a cornerback from 2005 to 2007. "Some of the guys [it] didn't matter what game it was, they were going to get high."

Herschel Sims, a running back, said if the team was drug tested in 2012, when the school played for the Fiesta Bowl, at least 15-20 people "who actually played" would have been ruled ineligible. OSU officials said of the 18 randomly tested players, one tested positive and was suspended.

SI reported that three former players admitted to dealing marijuana during the 2001, 2004 and 2006 seasons and seven were accused by former teammates in any season from 2001 to 2012.

Still, OSU athletic director Mike Holder told SI, the school complied with all policies.

"I feel good about what our goals are, what our intentions are, but we constantly evaluate what we're doing," he said. "If there's a better way to do it, I'm interested in hearing about it and thinking about it."

Jonathan Cruz, an offensive lineman on the team in 2002, said that was not the case.

"I was kind of in disbelief that people could do the things that they were doing," he said. "It was tied to how well you could produce. If you could produce on Saturday, things could be overlooked."

Les Miles, as he has done since the first release of the story, has continually denied the allegations.

"This is an outsider's view or perhaps from a disgruntled player who wanted playing time but could not earn it. Yes, I wanted our players to perform on the field, but they had to perform socially and academically too or they would not see the field." He said in a written statement. "I backed the police 100 percent and did support law enforcement by asking what I could do to provide assistance."

Already released by SI is "Part 1: the Money," "Part 2: the Academics" and "Part 3: the Drugs." Still to come are "Part 4: the Sex," to be released Friday" and "Part 5: the Fallout," to be released in the Sept. 17 print edition and online with the full article.

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