Instacap: Oklahoma State Buries Overmatched South Alabama 44-7

Oklahoma State rolled into Mobile, Ala. on Friday as a double-digit favorite, and came away double-digit winners after pitching a shutout through three-and-a-half quarters and holding the Jags to just 7 points.

FINAL: OSU 44, USA 7

The Cowboys left little doubt from the get-go. Despite going three-and-out to start the game, OSU’s electric offense led by Mason Rudolph and James Washington had USA begging for mercy. No, really!

Molly McGrath on ESPN2 from S. Alabama's sideline: "They're complaining about the tempo and saying this is the best QB they've ever seen."

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) September 9, 2017

Rudolph surpassed Brandon Weeden as OSU’s all-time leading passer midway through the game, and with a comfortable 41-point lead, his night ended after finishing 25-of-38 for 338 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 18 yards and a score.

Through the air, Marcell Ateman led the team with 2 TD receptions, and the ever-consistent James Washington added 1 TD of his own along with 98 yards on 2 receptions.

Of major concern on Friday was OSU’s rushing attack. After rushing for 332 yards a week ago, the running game against South Alabama took a significant step back. Justice Hill retired the night with 11 carries for 27 yards, and backup running back J.D. King finished with the better line: 8 carries for 64 yards.

As a team, OSU rushed for 163 yards on 37 carries—a number that was packed by a late-game surge from the backups and LD Brown’s 38 yards in mostly garbage time. But even though the run game might have been a red flag, it could have been more with the way USA’s defense stuffed the box.

The Pokes’ defense was dominant in victory, too. Despite narrowly missing throwing its first shutout since 2012, they held S. Alabama to 3.4 yards per play and created two turnovers (including this pick-six by Justin Phillips).

Goodnight, South Alabama. pic.twitter.com/58wtZWk7dU

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) September 9, 2017

Despite the lack of explosiveness at times at RB and OSU’s inability to finish a couple of drives, they still cruised home to their second win. And to escape a sneaky weeknight game wearing black-white-orange (no less!) is a nice sigh of relief.

On to Pitt!