LIVE BLOG: Texas Defeats Oklahoma State 49-21 to Win Big 12 Championship

FINAL: Oklahoma State 21, Texas 49

The Cowboys got hooked by the Horns.

Texas scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and didn’t punt until the third quarter. By that time, the route was on.

Oklahoma State was outgained 662-281 in total yards and lost the turnover battle. The Longhorns’ vaunted defensive front bottled up the FBS’ leading rusher Ollie Gordon. In his first game since winning the conference Offensive Player of the Year, Gordon mustered just 34 yards with his longest run at nine yards.

On the other hand, Quinn Ewers spread the ball around to UT’s playmakers. Ja-Tavion Sanders and Adonai Mitchell each have over 100 receiving yards and a TD, with Xavier Worthy pitching in 86.

Ewers set the Big 12 Championship record with 452 yards, threw four touchdowns and one pick. That 662 yards by UT was also a record.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 21, Texas 49 | Q4 | 6:26

The Cowboys score for the first time in the second half with Rashod Owens’ 3-yard TD catch. Nice day from No. 10: four catches (two TDs) for 85 yards on five targets.

Big Play Alert: Bowman found Owens for 41 yards. The Cowboys are in UT territory.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 14, Texas 49 | Q4 | 10:38

The Longhorns pour on another one. Ewers has another Big 12 title game record, this time for most passing yards. The route is on.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 14, Texas 42 | Q3 | 3:33

That might just do it. The Cowboys had a chance to cut into the lead after forcing their first punt of the game, but they seemingly called a white flag play and then UT answers with a score. Keilan Robinson rushed left, hit the sideline and then took it 57 yards for a TD.

On third-and-long, OSU hands it to freshman RB Sesi Vailahi with Gordon still on the sideline. He gets a yard and the Cowboys punt it. Seems like a little more urgency was called for there.

Ollie Gordon down after his first carry and will be looked at by staff.

The Cowboys finally get a stop. Nathan Latu sacked Quinn Ewers for a loss of seven. Texas punts for the first time in the third quarter. We’ll see if OSU’s offense can make this interesting.

On the opening kickoff, UT’s Derek Williams gets disqualified for a blindside block that was elevated to targeting.

HALFTIME: Oklahoma State 14, Texas 35

Gundy took used his substitution trick to push the Longhorns back on that field goal attempt.

Sark and Texas are playing to win the trophy, and to make a statement to the College Football Playoff committee.

The Cowboys didn’t need that.

After picking up six on the play before, Leon Johnson III fumbles and it’s recovered by UT at midfield.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 14, Texas 35 | Q2 | 2:11

Ewers set the Big 12 Championship record with four passing TDs in a half. At this rate, the Cowboys’ defense might just want to keep from letting him break a bunch more records.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 14, Texas 28 | Q2 | 5:50

It can.

Bowman found Rashod Owens in the middle of the end zone. The Cowboys score after a false start set them back to the 7-yard line.

BIG Play Alert: Nick Martin Pick

Martin stepped in front of Ewers’ pass and returned it 22 yards to the 3, almost got a pick-six. Can the Cowboys take advantage?

.@NickMartinPg6 clutch INT! 🤠 pic.twitter.com/DgmUPCeA7J

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 2, 2023

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 7, Texas 28 | Q2 | 11:40

That’s one heck of an offense.

Ewers is 14-of-15 for 244 yards and three TDs. He’s got a passer rating of 296. 😬

Welp, it looked like OSU might finally get a stop. But on third-and-10, Ewers found Mitchell running free up the left sideline for 62 yards.

Quinn Ewers threw his first incompletion early in the second and it was almost intercepted.

END OF Q1: Oklahoma State 7, Texas 21

The Cowboys found some offensive rhythm late in the first quarter, but the Longhorns have had no trouble getting into the end zone. OSU’s defense needs to figure out how to cut down on the wide-open receivers and chunk plays or it’s going to be a long day.

Oof, Bowman had Jaden Bray behind a defender but just hung it out there too far.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 7, Texas 21 | Q1 | 1:41

And Texas just threw a touchdown to its star defensive lineman. Looks like Sark is not afraid to let it all hang out. This could get out of hand early.

Texas slowed it down that drive. Took the Longhorns all of 3:49 to score after their first two drives took 1:29 and 1:54, respectively.

— Marshall Scott (@MarshallScottOK) December 2, 2023

The Longhorns are always open. When they’re not open, they’re open.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 7, Texas 14 | Q1 | 5:36

Alan Bowman found Brennan Presley with a quick TD strike to put the Cowboys on the board. Caught a couple of UT defenders not ready and took advantage.

Flex on ‘em @bprezzle 💪 pic.twitter.com/2qOrlYmZ5m

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 2, 2023

The Cowboys finally got the PI call and then Rashod Owens decided to not worry about the call on this one.

Rashod Owens, take a bow.#GoPokes

pic.twitter.com/zco1f1ML7S

— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) December 2, 2023

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 0, Texas 14 | Q1 | 8:34

The Longhorns hit on chunk play and then added another four-play TD drive thanks to a flea flicker score.

Scoring Update: Oklahoma State 0, Texas 7 | Q1 | 12:52

That was fast. The Longhorns made use of that gifted field position advantage and scored on a four-play drive capped by a TD connection between Quinn Ewers and Adonai Mitchell. Hate to say it, but feels like the Cowboys need to answer to stay in this one.

The Cowboys go three-and-out after a deep shot on third-and-10 was incomplete despite a pretty obvious pass interference that was not called. Then to add insult to injury, OSU gets flagged for kick interference on the punt to give UT 15 yards. Texas will start in OSU territory.

Texas wins the toss and defers. The Cowboys will get the first crack at it.

It wasn’t easy, but the Cowboys have gotten themselves back into the Big 12 Championship for the second time in three years. Now we’ll see if they can close the deal.

No. 18 Oklahoma State will face No. 7 Texas in Jerry World for all the hardware and bragging rights for years to come. Texas could earn its third (and final) Big 12 title which would be a sour sendoff for the remaining conference teams. A win for OSU would mean the school’s second Big 12 title but could also set the table for the Cowboys to be a conference power in the new-look league for years to come.

Beyond all of the history, this game is the culmination of one heck of a roller coaster ride for the Cardiac Cowboys and an upset would cement this as one of the more resilient team performances we’ve seen in some time, and it would be further validation for Mike Gundy’s third Big 12 Coach of the Year award. It should be a fun one stick around here for all the updates and instant reactions.

If you’re a PFB+ subscriber, head over to The Chamber. We’re already getting into it.

Injury Report: [Coming Soon]

Uni Reveal: It’s going to be an all-time uni matchup in Jerry World.

Pre-game Homework

PFB Staff predictions: See how we see this game playing out.

Dekota looks at the Matchup to Watch: Strength on strength, this one will be decided on the ground.

On how (recent) history and culture lean the Cowboys’ way in this matchup.

Previewing the QB matchup between Alan Bowman and Quinn Ewers.