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Superlatives: Game MVPs, Top Plays and More from Oklahoma State’s Loss to Arizona State

The Sun Devils took most of the awards.

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1 year ago

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[Devin Wilber/PFB]

Oklahoma State needed a win, but it got run out of its own stadium on homecoming.

The hapless Cowboys got doubled in points, nearly doubled in total yards and thumped in just about every statistical category that matters in their 42-21 loss to Arizona State on Saturday. The Pokes got thoroughly beat in a game they really needed to win.

There are plenty of superlatives to mention from this game, but not many positive ones for OSU. Since the Cowboys seem intent on giving every opponent’s playmakers the star treatment, the Sun Devils will be prominently featured in this week’s edition. Let’s take a look at some of the best performances from Saturday’s weather-delayed matchup.

Offensive MVP: Sam Leavitt

The freshman was on fire and a little weather delay didn’t cool him off.

Sam Leavitt played the best game of his career, in a somewhat hostile environment and with a nearly three-hour weather delay. He finished with career highs in passing (304 yards) and completion rate (69%) and threw three TDs without a pick. He was as efficient after the delay as he was before, going 8-for-11 for 106 yards and score in the second half, until the Sun Devils went into run-the-clock mode.

Honorable Mentions: Cam Skattebo, Jordyn Tyson

Defensive MVP: Caleb McCullough

I think this is the first time I’ve given both MVPs to the opposing team, but it’s hard to hand out hardware to the Cowboys after a game like this.

The fifth-year ASU linebacker logged a career-high nine tackles (five solo) and added a QB hurry. He was all over the field for the Sun Devils, and he helped keep Alan Bowman on the run for much of the game.

Honorable Mentions: Javan Robinson, Kendal Daniels

Comeback Award: Marcus Arroyo

In justice that won’t seem poetic to some, former OSU running backs coach Marcus Arroyo made his return to Stillwater, and he doubled up his former colleague. Coaches move around college football almost as much as players do, but it’s easy to throw around what-ifs when your team is 3-6.

A contingent of OSU fans have been pleading for Arroyo to be hired back to OSU more than once over the last five-plus years since Kasey Dunn was elevated from wide receivers coach to OC. Regardless of whether Arroyo’s return was ever a possibility for either side, those rooting for the charismatic recruiter got some vindication.

The Sun Devils lapped the Cowboys, scoring 42 points, tying a season high given up by OSU, and Arroyo’s stars had big days. Leavitt (see above), Cam Skattebo and Jordyn Tyson. All had big-time games with oodles of yards and points.

Stat of the Game: All the Streaks

The Cowboys have lost six straight, but a run like that isn’t built on happenstance. That streak was fed by smaller streaks You know, like when your QB throws a pick in eight-straight games (as Dekota pointed out), or your defense giving up 500 or more yards in five-straight games. How about when it gives up 200-plus rushing yards for six games in a row, or six-plus YPC the last five? Pick a significant stat, and OSU got trampled in it. What is this team?

Play of the Game: The King Stretches Out

It’s getting harder and harder, but I try to end this on at least a somewhat positive note. If I were going for, objectively, the best play, this category would also be populated by a Sun Devil, but I will give No. 80 the nod for the effort.

If you could jump into a time machine, back to before the lightning, when OSU was very much in this game, you’d remember the Ollie Gordon TD that was wiped off the scoreboard because of a downed ASU defender. Boos rained (the loyal kind). OSU then went away from Gordon for four-straight plays, and just barely got into the end zone thanks to Brennan Presley’s athleticism, toughness and mettle.

 

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