Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Falls to Houston 39-17

BOXSCORE

It started with an exciting TD pass and ended with an exciting TD pass. Between that, there was a lot of meh from the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State fell to Houston 39-17.

The Cowboys got off to a fast start, scoring a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. It was more trickery, but nothing is off the table at this point. Even the kitchen sink.

Got a few tricks up our sleeve 😏@OGandE | 📺: TNT pic.twitter.com/dMHLwsg1XW

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 11, 2025

That brief 7-0 lead was OSU’s first over an FBS opponent since OSU started 3-0 against Tulsa. As stated, it was short-lived. Houston found the end zone on its first drive and then pushed the lead to 10-7 with a made field goal on the ensuing possession.

The Cowboys’ defense had brief patches of success, including a forced three-and-out and then a stop to end the half, but OSU’s offense didn’t do it many favors. Those two stops bookended back-to-back TD drives which came off back-to-back three-and-outs by OSU.

Unfortunately, those defensive wins were overshadowed by far too many big plays allowed. The Cowboys came in tied for last in the league, having allowed 29 plays of 20 yards or more in just five games (six per game avg.). They allowed seven more on Saturday, plus a 19-yard run.

Things weren’t much better on offense. After that early second quarter field goal, the Cowboys went: PUNT, PUNT, INT, PUNT, PUNT, PUNT (including three three-and-outs) before OSU’s final scoring drive.

Sam Jackson went 7-for-16 for 84 yards and an interception. The Cowboys went with Noah Walters, who did not start the season on OSU’s roster and was a non-athlete student at UCF last season. He went 1-for-2 for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Walters was able to provide a spark and kick start the offense, even if it was in garbage time. He immediately ripped one down the field that was nearly pulled in. A couple plays later, he caused a pass interference call to move the chains. Then he capped the drive with a 33-yard score to Gavin Freeman. He is the first quarterback (according to OSU’s roster) to throwing a passing TD since Hauss Hejny’s early TD against UT-Martin in Week 1.

The Cowboys were led by Rodney Fields Jr. with just 44 yards rushing on 14 carries. He did have a 63-yard touchdown catch on that opening drive.

Sesi Vailahi did all of his work on the Pokes’ final scoring drive, rushing for 27 yards on seven carries. Gavin Freeman caught three passes for 59 yards and a score.

Oklahoma State was outgained 485-225 and managed just 45 net rushing yards, their lowest since the West Virginia game last season.

With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 1-5 and 0-3 in the Big 12. This hasn’t looked like a bowl team all season, but the Cowboys are close to being mathematically disqualified for the postseason. OSU would have to win five of their last six games to avoid consecutive seasons without a bowl trip for the first time since 1999 and 2000, the transition between Bob Simmons and Les Miles.

Next up, Oklahoma State hosts Cincinnati for America’s Greatest Homecoming. Cincinnati is 5-1 and comes to Stillwater having won five straight after its Week 1 loss to Nebraska.

The Cowboys and Bearcats will kick off at 7 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 18, at Boone Pickens Stadium.

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