Instant Recap: Oklahoma State Upsets No. 23 Iowa State 34-27

Oklahoma State snapped a two-game losing streak on the road, downing No. 23 Iowa State 34-27 by doing to the Cyclones what other teams have been doing to the Cowboys as of late — causing turnovers and breaking loose on big plays.

OSU’s offense was rolling early with a pair of big touchdowns of 71 and 50 yards, to Tylan Wallace and Braydon Johnson, respectively, and the Cowboys defense was disruptive, constantly pressuring the Big 12’s leading passer Brock Purdy from the kick.

The Cowboys defense held the Cyclones to field goal attempts on its last three possessions of the first half, Iowa State missed one of them from 39 yards. The Cowboys took a 21-13 lead late in the half thanks to another huge play, a 65-yard touchdown by Chuba Hubbard.

After throwing two near-picks, Spencer Sanders threw an ill-advised pass across his body and across the middle of the field that was intercepted. The Cyclones quickly paid off the Cowboys’ first turnover by scoring a touchdown in two plays to pull within 21-20.

Oklahoma State built its lead to 27-20 early in the fourth, but Brock Purdy put together a drive, going 7-of-8 and marching the Cyclones right down the field before freshman phenom, Breece Hall, paid it off for his second rushing score of the day to tie it up at 27-all.

But it was Purdy whose interceptions — giving OSU’s defense plenty of credit — would essentially decide the game. After throwing just four picks in seven games, Purdy threw three in the fourth quarter to OSU’s defense. The Cowboys won the turnover battle (3-1) for just the second time in eight games this season.

Malcolm Rodriguez took the first one to paydirt for a 26-yard pick-six and Amen Ogbongbemiga and Tre Sterling grabbed the others. Sterling’s with 32 seconds left would be the Cyclone’s Homecoming death knell.

Cowboy Leaders

• Spencer Sanders set a new OSU freshman passing record on his 50-yard touchdown to Braydon Johnson. He finished 16-of-24 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one interception He also rushed it eight times for 43 yards.

• Chuba Hubbard continued his dominant year adding 116 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, a relatively low total for him.

• Tylan Wallace added 131 yards on eight catches and a TD.

• Braydon Johnson caught all three of his targets for 66 yards and that long score.

• Malcolm Rodriguez led the Pokes with 11 total tackles (six solo), a pass breakup and that interception.

• Kolby Harvell-Peel set a new Oklahoma State record with six pass breakups to go along with eight total tackles (six solo) and a tackle for loss.

With the win, OSU moves to 5-3 (2-3 in conference play) and will host TCU next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST.