Grades: Leaving Marks on Third-and-Short Calls, Spencer Sanders and More

Saturday’s game was good at times, ugly at others, but it was always weird.

Oklahoma State fell to Texas 36-30 on Saturday in Austin. It was a game the Cowboys were supposed to lose, but a conversion here or an onside kick recovery there could’ve led OSU to its sixth straight win in Texas’ capital. Here are some grades from the Pokes’ performance.

Third-and-Short Play-Calling: C-

OSU found itself in third and three or fewer seven times Saturday night.

On six of those occasions, OSU handed the ball to Chuba Hubbard. The other was a pass to Jelani Woods that went for eight yards before a Landon Wolf penalty brought it back.

Hubbard converted on four of his six third-and-short attempts, but this game will probably be remembered by the two times he didn’t get to the sticks. The first came on the Cowboys’ first series, when OSU got stuffed at the goal line. The other led to OSU’s fake field-goal attempt.

In Sean Gleeson’s or Mike Gundy’s or whoever was making those calls’ defense, you want to get the ball into one of the best running backs in the country’s hands in those scenarios. Most of the time and against most opponents, that will work. However, the OSU offensive line wasn’t getting an outstanding push all night, and it seemed to start lacking imagination.

Offensive Line: C+

OSU’s offensive line has had up-and-down performances through four weeks.

At Oregon State it was outstanding. Against McNeese it was disappointing considering the level of competition. It was good, but maybe not great against Tulsa. And Saturday, it showed there is plenty of room for growth.

Texas was able to get plenty of penetration on run defense. Although Hubbard was still able to rack up 121 rushing yards, his 3.3 yards per carry is his fewest of the season by far.

Sanders was sacked twice, which isn’t terrible, but there were also a couple of times he probably should’ve been sacked before doing something like this:

Spencer Sanders: B+

Speaking of Sanders, he looks like a gamer.

His final passing line of 19-for-32 for 268 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions might not look the best, but he was making plays.

Sanders finished with 109 rushing yards, the second time he has surpassed triple digits in his first four starts. One pick was his fault, but the other came because his arm got smacked while he was throwing.

He showed his arm strength.

And he showed his wheels.

Both of those are things that OSU college football fans should be excited about for years to come.

OSU’s Defense: C+

The 36 points Texas scored against OSU were the fewest the Longhorns have scored this season.

Sam Ehlingher’s passing stats were similar to what they had been all season, but OSU forced him into his first interception of the year.

OSU wasn’t great on the defensive front, a thing that is expected at this point with how inexperienced the Cowboys’ defensive linemen are. Ehlinger’s 70 rushing yards are the most he has had this season, and he wasn’t sacked.

It was the first time this year Texas running back Keaontay Ingram surpassed 100 rushing yards, as he finished with 114 on 21 carries.

The Cowboys’ defense isn’t a strength of their team, but I think the group played well enough to win.