Stat of the Week: A Look at Oklahoma State’s Success in Homecoming Games

A Cowboy win is almost as guaranteed as an orange fountain during America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.

Oklahoma State hosts Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium to conclude the Pokes’ homecoming festivities. A win would make the 5-2 Cowboys bowl eligible for the 18th consecutive year.

Of all the OSU traditions during homecoming — from Walkaround, to Homecoming & Hoops — winning the matchup to cap the week has almost become custom, as well. The Cowboys are 57-38-6 all-time in homecoming games since 1920. There’s been an even better success rate recently, as OSU has won six of its past seven homecoming contests.

The only recent loss was to then-No. 13 and undefeated Baylor in 2019. That means all of OSU’s homecoming success can’t be credited to scheduling only weaker opponents for the occasion. Last season, the Cowboys came back to beat then-No. 20 Texas 41-34. OSU also beat then-No. 9 Texas 38-35 in 2018. It’s too bad last year was the last time the Longhorns could be scheduled.

Mike Gundy has also had his own success during the celebration, going all the way back to his playing days as an OSU quarterback. Gundy never lost a homecoming game as a player, outscoring opponents 146-47 from 1986-89. As a coach, Gundy is 12-5 and has only lost back-to-back homecoming games once — his first two seasons in charge. He’s lost only three since.

Alumni like Gundy leading the football team or Josh Holliday strolling down Greek Row during Walkaround may be what makes it possible for Stillwater to be home to America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration. However, there is no celebrating without winning.