Tyler Rewatches Oklahoma State’s 2012 Fiesta Bowl Win against Stanford

Editor’s note: When we hired Tyler earlier this year, he became the first PFB writer who isn’t a “lifelong OSU guy.” So, as a bit of a summer project, we’re having him go back through some of the biggest games in OSU’s recent history.

I became a fan of college football (and by extension most sports) because of the 2011 college football season. Before that, I was aware of football, but I never really sat down and watched it in any form.

A top-five matchup between LSU and Oregon during Week 1 hooked me. After that I have memories of watching most of the biggest games of the season usually on the couch with my college football-obsessed mother.

So when Marshall first pitched the idea of sending me to summer school to revisit some of Oklahoma State Athletic’s best moments, I knew exactly where I wanted to start.

With the 2011 team that made me (a transplant from Alabama) aware of the Cowboys for the first time.

Let’s get to my live blog of the game.

I picked this one off Marshall’s list because Justin Blackmon and Andrew Luck were both incredible players. I credit both with setting high expectations of what elite football players could do during my introduction to the sport.

It’s No. 3 Oklahoma State vs. No. 4 Stanford. Both of these teams appeared deserving and perhaps even destined for a spot in the BCS Championship game down the stretch until unlikely losses sent them here. Despite that, it feels like a game both teams really want to win.

It’s crazy to remember how much big bowl games used to matter before the playoff, opt outs and the portal got in the way. It’s very likely my family planned our day around watching this game, especially considering it featured No. 3 and No. 4.

I forgot Luck found himself second in the Heisman vote to both Cam Newton (deserved) and Robert Griffin III (probably also deserved, but closer). It’s wild hearing the broadcast talk about how he will likely have a long, successful career in the NFL.

Daytawion Lowe (OSU’s lead tackler that season) makes the early case for defensive MVP. First, he makes a great adjustment on his pursuit to run down running back Stepfan Taylor and makes a touchdown-saving tackle on one play. Then he broke up a pass in the end zone on the very next. Stanford misses a 41-yard field goal two plays after that.

Brandon Weeden starts the game with an interception on OSU’s very first play, yikes. Cowboys now have to come back out and defend at their own 36-yard line.

Markelle Martin comes up with a seemingly huge hit that knocks the helmet off the Stanford player. A Stanford timeout gives the broadcast crew plenty of time to praise the hit. There is discussion about whether he should have been flagged for helmet-to-helmet, but in a pre-targeting world, that conversation is very limited. You don’t need a checklist and a million replays to come to a conclusion here. I’m glad the sport is seemingly safer now, but I admit it is refreshing not listening to the complicated conversations around targeting which often seem to require defensive players to either read minds or not attempt the tackle at all if they want to avoid getting flagged.

Richetti Jones with a 6-yard sack on third-and-long forces a Stanford punt. OSU’s second play of the game will come with 8:33 left in the first quarter.

According to a broadcast graphic, Stanford led the nation with only 13 three-and-outs in the regular season making what the Cowboy defense just accomplished well within its own territory a significant achievement.

I also learn that OSU’s defense has played 1,008 snaps this season to lead the nation. For context, the broadcast tells us that is 332 fewer plays than Alabama’s defense which is about to completely manhandle LSU in the championship game. Oh, and Oklahoma State leads the nation with 42 turnovers forced. I wonder if that comes into play tonight…

I forgot how much broadcasters liked to praise Andrew Luck’s intelligence. He gives them plenty of reason when he exploits a blown coverage to hit Ty Montgomery for a 53-yard pickup and the first touchdown of the game.

Oklahoma State’s first, first down comes with 3:59 left in the first quarter.

Justin Gilbert interception!

Stanford starts its next drive with seven offensive lineman at their own 13-yard line. I do this on video games, but nobody plays college football this way anymore.

Stanford 14, OSU 0 10:21 left in second. Maybe Marshall is pranking me, making me watch this one…

FINALLY! Justin Blackmon’s first catch goes 43 yards for a touchdown with 8:50 left in the second quarter. The broadcast chimes in with “the Cowboys just woke up from their snooze.”

Funniest play of the game goes to a Stanford player standing at his own goal line. When the kick returner tries to return it, the first guy shoves him down to stop what I guess would have been a dumb return.

OSU forces another three-and-out.

Blackmon with a great move inside for the catch (his second) that goes 67 yards for another touchdown. Tie game with 6:19 left in half.

Stanford takes a 21-14 lead with 2:25 left in the first half. Time of possession favors the Cardinal by more than 15 minutes.

Weeden is dealing now!

Blackmon (who else) converts on 4th-and-5 leading to a Weeden rushing touchdown.

Tie game at the half despite Oklahoma State being 0-for-5 on third down.

A young Zach Ertz with a touchdown at 8:22 mark in the third.

Stanford fumbles outside its own end zone on its next possession, but OSU is forced to kick basically the shortest field goal ever. Stanford up 28-24, 5:21 left in third.

Current OSU OL coach Cooper Bassett (I forgot he played defense this season) with a stop against Stanford’s Wildcat formation.

Stanford kicks a field goal to go back up 7 points with 14:16 to play.

Blackmon’s speed seems to surprise the Stanford safety leading to his THIRD touchdown.

Stanford answers to take a 38-31 lead with 4:34 to play.

Blackmon is wide open, but Weeden gets hit as he throws.

4th-and-4, no hesitation from Mike Gundy here. Stanford plays football like a big old tortoise. Can’t let them run the clock out.

Blackmon converts with a 21-yard catch then he’s headed to sidelines to catch his breath.

Joseph Randle ties things up with a 4-yard rushing score with 2:35 left.

Luck makes it look easy driving Stanford into field goal range. Gundy doesn’t use his final two timeouts with 40 seconds left. Stanford faces second down from OSU’s 19-yard line. Both teams are content to let this come down to a 35-yard kick…

NO GOOD, he hooked it, free football!

Blackmon has a casual fist pump that just reeks of confidence at the miss. Weeden and others go crazy.

Oklahoma State wins the toss, and I’m reminded that overtime used to make sense. All overtime periods work the same way, attempt to score on short field, but after the third you must attempt a 2-point conversion after touchdowns. Texas A&M and LSU played one 7OT game (which was really fun) and everyone decided to ruin overtime for everyone to stop that once in a decade occurrence. Take me back to 2011.

OSU’s defense gives up a single yard resulting in another hooked field goal miss from Stanford.

Colton Chelf with a 24-yard catch. It was initially ruled a score and then reviewed and he was deemed short.

OSU kneels it to set up their own historically short field goal. I hate this move. You don’t trust Randle to not fumble? Weeden can’t sneak this?

Despite my misgivings, Quinn Sharp makes it look easy, and Oklahoma State has officially won its first BCS bowl. Best bowl win ever for the Cowboys?

Blackmon finishes with eight catches, 186 yards and three scores.

Weeden went 29-of-42 for 399 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also has the rushing score.

For what it’s worth Luck finished with the ultra-efficient passing line of  27-of-31 for 347 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

Thanks for taking the trip down memory lane with me! Before I go I have to wrap up with a short love letter to 2011.

Just imagine a college football playoff featuring these teams:

LSU (13-0), Tyran Mathieu was a force of nature
Alabama (11-1)
Oklahoma State (11-1)
Stanford (11-1)
Oregon (11-2), Chip Kelly near the height of his powers.
Arkansas (10-2), before a motorcycle crash derailed the Razorbacks they were so good.
Boise State (11-1)
Kansas State (10-2)
South Carolina (10-2), Jadeveon Clowney was about to put himself on the map.
Wisconsin (11-2), Russell Wilson made me a Seahawks fan because of how much fun he was watching this season.
Virginia Tech (11-2)
Baylor (9-3), wow three current Big 12 teams how does the conference get back to that? Plus RG3 in the playoffs would have been fun.