Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Loses Big 12 Opener to Iowa State, 34-27

For the first time this season, the quarterback who took the first snap for Oklahoma State also took the last.

After rotating three quarterbacks during the three-game nonconference slate, Mike Gundy handed the reins to Alan Bowman as QB1 in the Cowboys’ 34-27 loss to Iowa State to open Big 12 play Saturday. Bowman finished his first full outing with OSU 23-of-48 (48%) for 278 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The game looked to be the exact defensive stalemate it was predicted to be after both teams punted on their first two drives. OSU went three-and-out on its opening series, handing the ball to Ollie Gordon three times in a row after he had three carries all game last week in a loss to South Alabama. He carried the ball OSU’s first four plays of the game.

Gordon finished the day with a career-high 18 carries for 121 yards– the second 100-yard performance of his career and third time getting double-digit carries.

Gordon broke free for a 71-yard run around the corner and up the sideline on the first play of the Cowboys’ third drive. Bowman punctuated the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run the next play for the first points of the day.

The prediction of a defensive battle seemed like it could be off when ISU answered on its next possession with a five-play touchdown drive. OSU had busted coverage on a 4th-and-3 for Rocco Becht to easily find Jaylin Noel for a 38-yard score to tie the game.

After OSU punted its next two possessions, the Cyclones took a 14-7 lead with another Becht touchdown pass, this time to Daniel Jackson for 29 yards. ISU scored in only three plays after the Cowboys gave up two plays of over 30 yards.

Just like ISU did earlier in the game, though, the Pokes answered on their next drive when Bowman threw a gorgeous deep ball down the sideline to Jaden Nixon on a wheel route for a 60-yard touchdown. That score had the game tied 14-14 with 11:01 left in the first half.

The Cyclones answered with field goals on their next two series before Alex Hale also added three points for OSU to make the score 20-17 in ISU’s favor at halftime.

ISU was the first to strike in the second half with Becht’s third touchdown pass with 5:30 left in the third quarter. Hale hit a 53-yard field goal to conclude OSU’s following drive to put the Cowboys within one possession, 27-20.

OSU was still within one possession when the fourth quarter started, but that deficit was instantly extended when Eli Sanders ran in a 7-yard touchdown the first play of the quarter for ISU.

The Cowboys didn’t have enough offensive production to ever get equal again despite a late 20-yard touchdown from Bowman to Rashod Owens on 4th-and-1 with 2:46 left. OSU did get just into ISU territory on its last drive of the game down seven, but a Bowman interception ended hopes of a comeback.

OSU did have its best day running the ball statistically, though, in large part thanks to Gordon. OSU averaged 5.5 yards a carry– well over Gundy’s 4-4.5-yard goal. However, 71 of OSU’s rushing yards came from one play. Without that play, the Cowboys’ average would drop to 2.6.

After two straight losses, the Pokes get a bye week to try to figure things out before hosting defending Big 12 champion Kansas State in a Friday night showdown on ESPN.