NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
STILLWATER — With Ollie Gordon II scoring touchdowns and Alan Bowman throwing darts, Oklahoma State’s potential season-opening scare turned into a hollow threat.
The 18th-ranked Cowboys had too much firepower for FCS No. 1 South Dakota State, finishing off a 44-20 victory Saturday afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The win was a comfortable start to an exciting season for the Cowboys, who have their sights set on a return trip to the Big 12 Championship Game and hopes of a College Football Playoff berth.
For the most part, the day lacked the drama that could’ve made for a frightening afternoon.
Instead, the Cowboys easily ended South Dakota State’s 29-game winning streak that dated back to the season opener of the 2022 season.
Gordon, who was still getting carries inside the final five minutes of the game, finished with 104 yards on 27 carries, plus 42 yards on four receptions with three total touchdowns.
Here are four more takeaways from the Cowboy victory:
Defense battles ups and downs
Like was often the case last season, the way the OSU defense’s performance felt versus the numbers it produced didn’t exactly line up.
The Cowboys got hit for a couple of big plays in the first half, but held South Dakota State to field goals on each drive for a 17-6 halftime lead.
After OSU stretched the lead to 24-6, but the Jackrabbits came right back with a quick strike for a touchdown.
And they added another TD on a 60-yard pass early in the fourth quarter.
In all, SDSU had 388 yards, with 264 through the air via reigning Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Mark Gronowski, who has a career record of 37-4 as a starter.
The Jackrabbits rushed for 117 yards, led by Amar Johnson with 73 on nine carries.
OSU had one takeaway, an interception by Korie Black, and held SDSU to 3 of 13 on third-down conversions.
OSU was expected to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-state-football-smashes-south-214154747.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-08-31 21:41:54
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
