Instacap: Cowboys Pull Away from UCF Late, Win 42-28

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STILLWATER — After arguably its worst first half of the entire year, Oklahoma State’s defense came through with the game-breaking play in the fourth quarter when safety Evan Jackson sprinted 28 yards into the end zone after scooping up a backward pass that hit the turf.

scoop, there it is

📺: ESPN2 | @TheEvanJackson https://t.co/LPQaiVpggM

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 10, 2026

That touchdown and quarterback Drew Mestemaker’s successful 2-point run gave the Cowboys a 14-point lead with 10:32 to play.

That forced UCF’s slower, more methodical offense to kick things into high gear, which prompted the Knights to go for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 34-yard line. After giving up the first three fourth-down attempts of the day, the Cowboy defense delivered again when Luke Webb grabbed hold of UCF running back Landen Chamber’s leg and wrestled him down for no gain.

Oklahoma State’s 42-28 victory over UCF was a lot less stressful after that.

Mestemaker completed 19-of-28 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Most of the QB’s attention (16 targets to be precise) was split between his favorite targets as receiver Justin Bowick finished with 98 yards and a touchdown on six receptions while Wyatt Young finished with 52 yards and a touchdown on five receptions.

Receiver Miles Coleman added 69 yards on four receptions, while running back Caleb Hawkins finished with a team-high 83 rushing yards on 23 carries.