EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — When Oklahoma State’s magical March continued Thursday night, school president David Schmidly did his part.

Donned in orange wig and matching bathrobe, Schmidly led a rowdy band of Cowboy fans in cheering on OSU to a 63-51 victory over Pittsburgh in an NCAA regional semifinal at Continental Airlines Arena.

Schmidly stood in for OSU student Eric Eppelin, whose get-up has become a lightning rod for Cowboy fans. Eppelin, who was in Dallas for the Big 12 Tournament and Kansas City, Mo., for the NCAA’s first two rounds, did not make the trip to New Jersey. Schmidly said Eppelin had a law-school interview he couldn’t miss.

“It’s been too much luck not to wear it,” Schmidly said.

His wife, Janet, said, “I don’t mind sitting next to the guy wearing this.”

The victory advances OSU to the regional title game Saturday against Saint Joseph. The regional champ advances to the Final Four next weekend in San Antonio.

Ironically, the last time the Cowboys made the Final Four, 1995, they also got there through East Rutherford.

Former Oklahoma congressman Wes Watkins, a long-time OSU fan, was at the game Thursday night wearing his ’95 Final Four cap, signed by the stars of that team, Bryant Reeves and Randy Rutherford, who also were in attendance.

“I told the team, ‘The only requirement I have is a new one,’ ” Watkins said of the cap.

The Cowboy contingent held a pep rally Thursday, and Eppelin’s wig and robe were displayed, courtesy of Cindy Birdwell, wife of OSU athletic director Harry Birdwell. Cindy Birdwell was Eppelin’s high school English teacher in Stillwater.

When Harry Birdwell brought Schmidly to the stage, the president looked at Eppelin’s costume and said, “I feel like I’m beside the Holy Grail here. Do you think I should wear this tonight?”

The crowd went crazy, and Schmidly stayed with the look all night.

Eppelin, referred to as the crazy-orange-robe guy by OSU folks, plans to be at the Final Four should the Cowboys make it.