Instacap: Oklahoma State Completes Comeback, Beats Texas 32-24

No. 12 Oklahoma State defeated No. 25. Texas 32-24, scoring 19-straight points to close the game and locking up the Longhorns on defense down the stretch. The Cowboys are 6-0 for the first time since 2015.

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The Cowboys scored their first offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter and took their first lead with less than five minutes remaining, but OSU’s defense was dominant. OSU scored a defensive touchdown, held Texas to 4-of-14 on third downs and forced seven three-and-outs. Texas didn’t gain a first down in the fourth quarter.

Stagnant offense and some big plays by the ‘Horns found the Cowboys in a hole early. After falling behind 17-3, the Pokes got a shot in the arm from Jason Taylor II. This man just has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and then making the most of it.

The Cowboys had plenty of nice chunk plays on offense in the first three quarters but they rarely capitalized and never strung enough of them together to find pay dirt. But on the first drive of the fourth quarter, OSU’s offense did enough to get into the end zone with a pass from Spencer Sanders to Brennan Presley and pull with in 24-22. They would not convert on the the 2-point attempt.

Another OSU drive ended with a field goal that put the Pokes up 25-24 with 4:37 remaining, but the Cowboys defense held strong, turning the Longhorns over on downs.

Spencer Sanders scored a rushing touchdown on the next drive to put OSU up 32-24 with 2:12 remaining and then Tanner McCalister sealed the win with Casey Thompson’s second interception of the game.

Sanders was up and down on Saturday, completing 19 of his 32 attempts for 178 yards, a touchdown and an interception. That one pick was cringeworthy and he floated a few passes early, but he was able to captain the Cowboys to three-straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter, capped with his rushing score. After that pick, Sanders finished 12-of-18 and was perfect in the fourth quarter.

Jaylen Warren is the engine that makes this offense run (when it is running). He chewed up 193 yards of turf on 33 carries. He had five rushes for over 10 yards including runs of 27, 20 and 29 yards. He’s reached 100-plus yards in all four of his starts.

But it was the Bijan Robinson Show early. The Longhorn tailback gashed the Cowboys for 59 yards and touchdown on the opening drive of the game and ended with 135 yards and three total scores.

Tay Martin led the Cowboys with 48 receiving yards on six catches, but he could have had quite a few more. On the Cowboys’ first play from scrimmage, Martin laid out for what would have been a huge chunk play. The ball touched both of his hands but he could not pull it in. The same thing happened in the corner of the end zone and then another big play of his was erased due to a holding penalty.

Brennan Presley caught three passes for 30 yards and a score and added a 17-yard rush on a reverse. Braden Cassity caught two passes for 32 yards.

Devin Harper led the Cowboys with eight total tackles and a tackle for loss. Collin Oliver, Hayden Jernigan each logged sacks and Brendon Evers and Israel Antwine combined for another.

Next up, the Cowboys head to Ames to try to remain unbeaten against Iowa State. What’s the worst that could happen?