Grades: Oklahoma State Has Become Expected to Fail in 2024

Oklahoma State is bad at football. I’ve run out of different ways to phrase that.

The Cowboys lost to Arizona State 42-21 on Saturday to conclude what cannot be deemed America’s Greatest Homecoming this year. There was a lengthy weather delay to draw out the agony, but ultimately, the Cowboys wound up with the result that has become expected in 2024.

OSU has lost six games in a row, the longest losing streak ever under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys are also still looking for their first Big 12 win. And at 3-6, Gundy’s precious bowl streak looks to be coming to an end after 18 years unless the Pokes win every game the rest of the way.

Here are my grades from another OSU loss.

Offense: D

Part of me felt like a D was too low for the offense and just came from the frustration of watching lackluster football for six straight weeks, but 21 points is not good enough, especially scoring only seven points in the second half during garbage time on your final possession.

The game started with a punt and interception for OSU. Alan Bowman threw an interception for the eighth game in a row. Week 1 against FCS South Dakota State was the only time this season Bowman didn’t turn the ball over.

Once OSU did finally get near the end zone only four yards away, with reigning Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon taking up space, Kasey Dunn called four straight pass plays and needed all four for Brennan Presley to barely get into the end zone after extending beyond the pylon for a one-yard TD. The Cowboys scored again on their next drive, but then went scoreless their next six possessions until a pair of freshmen in the backfield got OSU down the field and into the end zone. Before that drive, OSU had 55 total yards during the second half.

On the ground, OSU tallied 84 rushing yards while averaging 3.4 yards a carry. Gordon had 25 rushing yards, averaging 2.3 yards on 11 carries. The Cowboys had 270 total yards against a defense that was giving up 328.7 a game entering Week 10.

So, maybe a D is justified.

Defense: F

This defense gave up over 500 yards for the fifth game in a row. ASU averaged 10.5 yards a pass and 4.6 yards a rush. Another running back had a historical day against the Cowboys, as Cam Skattebo surpassed the century mark in both rushing and receiving yards. Altogether, Skattebo, had 274 yards and three TDs. For comparison, OSU’s entire offense had 270 yards in the game. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw a season-high 304 yards and three TDs with no turnovers.

OSU’s defense failed under Bryan Nardo. Again.

Special Teams: B

So special times actually showed some life. Kyler Pearson started the second half with a 38-yard return, but it was called back because of a holding penalty. He did get his big return after all, though, with a 48-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. That return was ultimately what catapulted OSU into the end zone after starting its final drive on ASU’s 49-yard line.