The 16th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys trailed the Arkansas Razorbacks 14-0 after the first quarter, and it looked like it was about to get worse. Arkansas was driving down the field well into Cowboy territory, likely headed towards another touchdown, before Kale Smith picked off a Taylen Green pass and returned it for a touchdown. The score put Oklahoma State within striking territory, but the Razorbacks put another touchdown on the board before halftime, and all of a sudden, the Cowboys were trailing 21-7 headed into the break.
The second half was truly a different story as Oklahoma State managed to eat away at the deficit, knocking in two field goals followed by two touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead with just over 5 minutes left in the game. It took Arkansas just 73 seconds to tie it up at 28-28 with 4 minutes left in the game, but the Cowboys managed to drive the field and knock in a field goal with less than a minute remaining. Arkansas managed to get the field position necessary, and with 2 seconds left on the clock, Kyle Ramsey knocked in a 45-yard field goal to tie it up as time expired, forcing overtime.
The Razorbacks started OT with the ball, but the Cowboys managed to make a few big plays before Ramsey missed a long field goal attempt. The Cowboys simply needed to run a few plays, set up an easy field goal, and seal the game. Unfortunately a 41-yard attempt proved to be too much for Logan Ward—who had not missed any of his three prior attempts on the day—and the game was headed to a second overtime period.
Oklahoma State needed a score, and after being shut down for the majority of the game, Ollie Gordon II came up big on the drive as he ran in a touchdown from 12 yards out before also scoring the 2-point conversion to give the Cowboys a 39-31 lead. Trailing by 8, and with the game on the line, Arkansas was all of a sudden forced into their worst possible nightmare as they had essentially all but given the game away. Still, they slowly creeped their way towards the end zone, facing a 4th and 1 on the 6 yard line. In the end, it was the Cowboy defense that sealed the game as Kendal Daniels stuffed Rodney Hill short of the line of scrimmage, effectively ending the game and completing the comeback win for Oklahoma State.
Don’t Give Up on Bowman Just yet
Alan Bowman kicked off the season last weekend with a fantastic start, completing 24-of-33 passes for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns while throwing no interceptions. His first half against Arkansas was a different story, as he managed to complete just 9-of-18 passes for 64 yards, 0 touchdowns, and an interception. Bowman picked it up in the second half, though, completing 18-of-30 attempts for 262 yards and a touchdown.
While some of the problems for Bowman’s performance can be placed on the lack of protection up front, he has to own a chunk of the blame with his poor decision making at times. Far too often his throws were simply thrown inaccurately, and on the final drive of the game, he cost the Cowboys in a big way with a silly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting the opposing sideline. Had he not done that, the Cowboys would have had a first and goal with plenty of time to force the issue and probably score a touchdown, putting the Razorbacks in an even more difficult situation.
Still, in the end, it was Bowman that put together several quality drives that saved the day. While he still has plenty of areas where he can improve, it’s far too early to give up on the guy. Many fans were crying for redshirt freshman Zane Flores, the top high school quarterback out of Nebraska in the 2022 recruiting class, to take over for Bowman, but let’s not jump the gun just yet. Bowman has done enough to help the Cowboys win games, and hopefully he learned a few more lessons today to help Oklahoma State on their trek towards another spot in the Big 12 Championship Game and maybe an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
No Time Like the Present for Adjustments
Oklahoma State started this game looking dazed, confused, lost…take your pick of negative adjectives. The offense couldn’t get any push up front, the defense was gashed at every single level, and if it was not for Arkansas playing extremely careless with the ball, the Cowboys would be headed into a Week 3 meeting on the road against Tulsa with a 1-1 record.
Still, the Cowboys did what they have done so many times in recent seasons as they put together a heck of a second half to come back and win. Looking ahead, Oklahoma State needs to head back to the basics in some areas in preparation for the rest of the season. The offensive line is far too experienced to struggle so much at both running the ball and protecting the quarterback, and the defense has too many playmakers to be giving up 8 plays of 20+ yards, even to a quality offense like Arkansas.
The Golden Hurricane aren’t on the same level as the Razorbacks, and Kirk Francis isn’t a mobile quarterback like Taylen Green. Oklahoma State is 9-0 against Tulsa all time, but the most recent meeting was a 28-23 decision in 2021. The Cowboys would do well from a more productive outing, and unless they want another stressful ending, they’re going to need to come into next week’s meeting with some changes.
Notable Stats
- The Razorbacks outpaced the Cowboys 648 yards to 385 in total offense.
- The Cowboys won the turnover battle 3 to 1.
- Ollie Gordon II was held to 49 yards on 17 attempts, but he did score a touchdown. He also 2 receptions for 20 yards.
- Brennan Presley hauled in 9 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. He also had one carry for 3 yards and a touchdown.
- Trey Rucker led the Cowboys with 17 tackles.
- Nick Martin finished with 16 tackles and a team-high 4.5 tackles for loss.
- Obi Ezeibo recorded 9 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a team-high 2 sacks.
On the Road…But Not Too Far Away
Next Saturday the Cowboys will head out of town for their first road game as they travel not too far too take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Tulsa defeated Northwestern State 62-28 in their opener, and they take on Arkansas State in Week 2. Neither of those opponents is anywhere near that of Oklahoma State, so it’s safe to say they won’t be quite as battle-tested as the Cowboys. Still, an inner-state rivalry is never one to be glossed over, so the Cowboys need to stay focused and come in with a renewed state of mind ready to go work.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.