Oklahoma State Defense Makes Emphatic Statement Against Kansas State
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How a team responds to a loss reveals a lot about who it is. Oklahoma State’s defense received mostly negative attention following a subpar performance last week. This week The Cowboys decided to make a statement early.
Oklahoma State beat Kansas State 66-28 on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan to improve to 6-3 (4-2). While the offense put up its usual gaudy numbers it was the defense that shined. The Cowboy defense allowed only seven points in the first half. The Wildcats also scored on a pick-six of quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
Kansas State’s one first half touchdown came on the second drive of the game on a blown coverage. Derrick Salley Jr. got behind the defense and scored from 73 yards to tie the score at seven. It was the closest the Wildcats would get to a lead for the rest of the game.
Takeaways were a major of the Cowboys defensive success. OSU had forced 11 turnovers coming into Saturday and added three more against the Wildcats.
Cornerback LaDainian Fields had two interceptions which brought his season total to seven and made him the NCAA picks leader this season. It was the second time in the last three games that Fields has had multiple interceptions. Safety Quinton Hammonds intercepted his first pass of the year in the first half as well.
Fields joins former cornerback Justin Gilbert as the only Cowboys since 2000 with seven interceptions in a season. One more would tie the school record. He is also the first Cowboy since Darrent Williams in 2003 with six interceptions through the first nine games of a season.
Turnovers on downs do not count against a team’s turnover margin but The Cowboys also stopped the Wildcats on three fourth downs to force empty possessions.
Kansas State finished with 327 total yards. The Cats came into the game averaging 426 yards-per-game and 205 yards rushing. Oklahoma State limited the KSU rushing game to 127 yards after giving up 272 yards rushing and 581 total yards to Iowa State last week.
Linebacker Isaiah Chisom led the Cowboys with a personal season-high 11 tackles. He saw more playing time with Tate Romney unavailable with injury.
The Cowboys are now officially bowl eligible for the first time since 2023.
