Instacap: Oklahoma State Survives Mistake-Filled Trip to Ames 49-42 Over Cyclones

Saturday’s 11 a.m. appointment between the Cowboys and Cyclones in Ames did not get off to a good start, and it nearly ended just as bad.

Oklahoma State surrendered 14 straight unanswered points to the Cyclones in Ames before the Cowboy offense awoke from its slumber, scoring 21 unanswered of their before taking a 21-all tie into halftime.

Mason Rudolph was accurate when he threw but just a secondary option in the game plan behind Justice Hill. Hill finished with 134 yards and three touchdowns on the day in an epic running back showdown between David Montgomery and he with incredible runs like this.

WORKHORSE pic.twitter.com/u4v3zMEsxX

— Barstool OK State (@BarstoolOKST) November 11, 2017

Rudolph had a cool 376 yards on 25-of-31 passing with a tidy 3 TD-to-0 INT ratio. But without any impact from a dinged-up James Washington, who finished with one reception for 22 yards, he had to rely heavily on Jalen McCleskey, Marcell Ateman and true freshman Tylan Wallace as his primary options.

McCleskey had 109 yards and Wallace added 49 of his own, while the steady-handed Marcell Ateman caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns — including the game-saving answer when OSU needed it.

No words left for Ateman. A monster. pic.twitter.com/YM6jrCGAqY

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 11, 2017

What was nearly the dagger in the knife of OSU’s already life-supported Big 12 title hopes Saturday was a putrid defensive showing. The Pokes gave up 491 total yards, including 105 on the ground. But what hurt the worst was backup QB Zeb Noland, who came in to relieve the injured Kyle Kempt. Behind Nolan, OSU had no answers on defense as he threw for 263 yards and moved Iowa State up and down the hill at will.

Ironically, though, Noland was the only reason ISU was in it — and he was ultimately the reason ISU lost it, as his touchdown seeking pass in the final seconds fell in the hands of OSU cornerback A.J. Green to seal the game.

What a play. Wow. pic.twitter.com/WCOexiuDvV

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 11, 2017

Even in an awfully sloppy, penalty-riddled day in which OSU was flagged 9 times for 105 yards, the Cardiac Cowboys found a way to win. Big 12 title hopes still hanging by a thread. A decent schedule ahead. What a thrill.