Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Routs Kansas State 66-28

BOXSCORE

The Cowboys know how to bounce back from a loss.

Oklahoma State defeated Kansas State, 66-28 on the road. It’s the most the Cowboys have scored against Kansas State in a series that’s well over a century old.

The Cowboys’ offense hit the ground running, literally. Caleb Hawkins rushed for 31 yards on the first play of game and two plays later, Drew Mestemaker found Justin Bowick for 32 yards in the end zone.

Hawkins is just getting better as the season goes on. After racking up a career-high 275 all-purpose yards and two scores in Ames last week, he came up just shy of that mark on Saturday. Hawkins rushed for 175 yards and three scores and added 71 receiving yards and another TD. He did that averaging 8.8 yards per carry and with a catch rate of 86% (six on seven targets).

The Cowboys’ offense was nearly perfect in the first half, but the Cowboys did have turnovers on back-to-back plays.

OSU scored touchdowns on its first four drives. Wyatt Young did lose a fumble fighting for extra yards on a sideline catch, but the Cowboys’ defense answered with a three-and-out. Then Drew Mestemaker threw a pick-six early in the second quarter.

But with New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey reportedly in the Little Apple, Mestemaker was almost perfect himself.

In just over three quarters, he went 22-for-29 for 313 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing score and his first career touchdown reception on a trick play quickly deemed the “Stilly Special.”

Passing touchdown ✅
Rushing touchdown ✅
Receiving touchdown ✅

What can’t he do? @DrewMestemaker

📺: TNT https://t.co/wrlRH8eDeV

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) November 7, 2026

After not winning a single first half in conference play, the Cowboys went into halftime with a 49-14 lead. Coming in the OSU record for points in Manhattan was 45.

The Cowboys started the third quarter with a three-and-out, just their second punt of the game. On that return William Mason was flagged for catch interference after drilling Sterling Lockett on the return.

That penalty gave newly installed quarterback Dillon Duff a short field. He paid it off with an eight-play, 45-yard touchdown drive to pull within 49-21.

But the Cowboys got right back on track and scored touchdowns on their next two drives before settling for a field goal late in the fourth.

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Cowboys up 63-28 and Brodie Vehrs ready to go in, Mestemaker started the drive and three a pair of passes for 25 yards which broke the 300-yard threshold.

That broke Mason Rudolph’s OSU record now eight consecutive games reaching that mark. He also breaks Will Grier’s (2017) Big 12 record for games with at least 300 passing yards and at least two passing TDs.

After leading the nation in rushing TDs last season, Hawkins had just two in his first seven games at OSU. But in the last two weeks, he’s added five rushing scores, including his three against Kansas State.

Miles Coleman led the Cowboys with 95 receiving yards and a score on six receptions. Justin Bowick had three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.

But with all of the offensive accolades and highlight reel plays, it was the Cowboys’ defense that bounced back the best.

The Cowboys held Kansas State to just three scoring drives on 14 possessions, forced three turnovers and three turnovers on downs.

LaDainian Fields had two interceptions on the day, making it four consecutive games with at least on pick. As of writing, his seven interceptions lead the FBS. He also had three tackles and a QB hurry.

Safety Quinton Hammonds also takes it back. In addition, to his early interception, he also stopped K-State quarterback on a QB keeper on fourth down to turn it over on downs.

In Tate Romney’s absence, Isaiah Chisom had a big game. His season-high 11 tackles led all defenders. He also had a tackle for loss and a QB hurry.

The Wildcats have been dealing with a QB carousel the last three weeks and that continued on Saturday.

Blake Barnett made his first start after providing a spark off the bench last week. He went 7-for-17 for 106 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 23 yards.

But K-State head coach Collin Klein made the switch at halftime, bringing in last week’s starter Dillon Duff for the third quarter. He had some success moving the ball, going 1o-for-17 for 94 yards and a TD and a pick.

Former Cowboys Rodney Fields Jr. led the Wildcats with 87 rushing yards and a score on 20 attempts.

Eric Morris spoke with the TNT crew following the game.

“Proud of our guys,” said Morris. “Defense was phenomenal, all the turnovers, played really good complimentary football the whole entire game. It was good for us be able to get bowl-eligible and continue the season, continue to build this program the right way.”

With the win, the Cowboys improve to 6-3 and 4-2 in Big 12 play. They will need to ride this momentum back home. After two weeks on the road, the Cowboys will host No. 15 Texas Tech next Saturday.

After two seasons limited to just 12 games, the Cowboys are going back to the postseason. With a sixth win, the Pokes become bowl-eligible. A win against Texas Tech next week would drop the only one-loss team back into the herd of teams fighting for the second place behind undefeated Utah.