Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Falls to Arizona 41-13

BOXSCORE

The Cowboys went to the desert looking for a win, but they might need to look for a pulse.

Oklahoma State fell to Arizona 41-13, dropping its fourth straight game and now hasn’t defeated an FBS opponent in 385 days.

The Cowboys showed some life a week ago in their Big 12 opener against Baylor. Any ideas that they could come out with similar fire — or build off of that momentum — dissolved quickly.

After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, OSU was able to score on a field goal on its second drive, then missed one a possession later. But the Cowboys were unable to sustain drives and went to the half down 24-6. Then the wheels really fell off.

OSU lost the third quarter 14-0 and was outgained 101-40. The Cowboys’ third-down drives went: interception, punt, lost fumble, punt, turnover on downs. The game was completely out of reach by the fourth quarter.

Arizona came in as one of only two teams to not give up a passing score all season. Oklahoma State did little to threaten that streak.

The Wildcats’ defense held OSU to just 69 passing yards, making it the second time this season they Cowboys have not reached 70 (67 yards against Oregon).

Zane Flores went 9-for-20 for just 47 yards and an interception. The freshman is now sitting at three picks while without a passing touchdown on his career. He did have a nice 27-yard run in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, Flores went to the medical tent and then to the locker room for good after taking a hit late in the third quarter, when he was sacked on the turnover on downs.

Sam Jackson V took snaps throughout and then took over immediately after Flores went out. He finished 3-for-7 for 27 yards and 13 yards rushing.

Freshman Banks Bowen, son of interim defensive coordinator Clint Bown, took the reins early in the fourth quarter. He attempted just two passes, going 1-for-2 for -5 yards. He rushed three times for 19 yards.

OSU’s leading rusher was Rodney Fields Jr. with just 31 yards and the leading receiver was Gavin Freeman with just 26.

Conversely, Arizona’s Noah Fifita tied a career high with five passing touchdowns, going 28-for-38 for 376 yards and an interception. He was also done early in the fourth.

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 3-2 but it was an ugly game for both teams.

It wasn’t all bad. OSU freshman cornerback LaDainian Fields scored on a 55-yard pick sick with just under nine minutes to go.

Mordecai McDaniel led all tacklers with 10. Wendell Gregory three tackles for loss and a pass breakup. The Cowboys recorded six sacks with Jacobi Oliphant Jr., Malik Charles, Brandon Rawls, Poasa Utu, Landon Dean, Iman Oates and Armstrong Nnodim all contributing to bring opposing quarterbacks down.

That aforementioned defensive score pulled the Pokes to within 38-13. It was at least a nice highlight for a defense that at least showed some effort, even if they gave up some big plays and didn’t have much support from their offense.

With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 1-4 and 0-2 in the Big 12. Next up, they’ll return home to host Houston at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.