Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Falls to No. 12 Texas 36-30

After a night full of ups and downs — and downed Longhorns — Oklahoma State fell at Texas in its Big 12 opener 36-30.

On the opening drive, Oklahoma State marched all the way down the field to the Texas 1-yard line, when Chuba Hubbard fumbled. Fortunately, Spencer Sanders was able to fall on the ball and the Cowboys would end up settling for 3. Unfortunately for OSU, a similar scenario played out time and time again.

Spencer Sanders bounced back from a first-half interception to finish the first half 11-of-14 for 180 yards and 19 net rushing yards and a score. But he would finish just 19-of-32 for 268 yards and two interceptions.

The Cowboys followed a late second quarter touchdown by turning a muffed UT punt into 7 points 11 seconds before halftime. The Pokes went to the intermission down 21-20 for the second week in a row. Unfortunately, they were unable to bounce back like they did in Tulsa. OSU was outscored 15-10 in the second half. The Cowboys ultimately fell to the 12th-ranked Longhorns, but not without a fight.

In five red zone trips, OSU mustered only 20 points, settling for field goals twice and turning it over on downs once. Conversely, the ‘Horns came out with touchdowns on all three of their trips inside the red zone, ending with 22 points thanks to a successful 2-point conversion.

The untimely penalties and missed opportunities piled up as the clock wound down. All nine of OSU’s penalties happened in the second half and at, seemingly, the worst possible times. Add to that a head-scratching unsuccessful fake field goal that will get written about extensively, I’m sure.

Spencer Sanders’ second interception sounded a lot like the Cowboys’ death knell, but OSU’s defense answered with a quick three-and-out. OSU had the ball at its 11-yard line, down 13 with 7:22 to play. But it was one step forward, two steps back until the very end.

A mixture of OSU defense stops, big plays on offense and another muffed punt found the Cowboys right in the thick of it, down 6 and forcing UT into a third-and-9 with 1:24 on the clock. But an elusive Sam Ehlinger broke loose for a 29-yard run to earn the first down, as well as his and Tom Herman’s first career win over OSU.

Cowboy Leaders

Spencer Sanders: 19-of-32, 268 yards, two INTS
AND 109 rushing yards and a score

Chuba Hubbard: 37 carries, 121 yards, two TDs

Tylan Wallace: five receptions, 83 yards

Amen Ogbongbemiga: 11 total tackles, 7 solo

Kolby Harvell-Peel: 9 total tackles, 6 solo, one INT

This ends an historic five-game winning streak for the Cowboys in Austin and a four-game streak overall against the Longhorns. Mike Gundy moves to 7-8 against Texas and 7-8 in Big 12 openers. OSU moves to 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.

Next up: The Cowboys host Kansas State next Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. in Boone Pickens Stadium.