Oklahoma State Beats Baylor 42-3, Dominated From Start to Finish

In arguably one of its best halves of the season, Oklahoma State dominated the Baylor Bears and ran away with a 42-3 victory in Waco. This win marks the Cowboys first win in Waco since the 2009 season and brings the Cowboys to 7-3 on the season and 6-3 in conference play.

By the end of the first half, Oklahoma State had combined for 347 total yards, 259 through the air and 88 on the ground, with 17 first downs and averaged 8.1 yards per play. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboy defense held Baylor to just 52 total first half yards, all coming through the air, just six first downs and 1.6 yards per play.

On the game, the Cowboys combined for 608 total yards, 347 through the air and 261 on the ground, while also picking up 27 first downs and averaging 7.9 yards per play.

The Cowboy defense was stout all day long as they not only forced 11 Baylor punts, but they did so by holding the Bears to just 156 total yards and just 12 first downs on the day.

“Well, obviously our defense was fantastic in the game,” said head coach Mike Gundy. “Offensively, we made some big plays, it was kind of like the way we used to play. There were times we were average; I think we had three or four series where we weren’t very good, but we still hit big plays. So, I was excited about that. Big day by [Dillon] Stoner and then obviously with [Dominic Richardson] was able to have a big day and run hard. But defensively, we were really good. I know [Baylor] was down a couple of starters on offense, but overall, our defense was really good. Our pass coverage was good. Did some different things defensively coverage-wise and I think it worked out well for our team.”

Quarterback Spencer Sanders had a great bounce back game from last week against TCU. He connected with receiver Dillon Stoner, who was filling in for the absent Tylan Wallace, on the outside for three first half touchdowns and it started on the second play of the day. Sanders found Stoner for 75-yards and the touchdown, followed up by two more touchdowns.

We saw a little bit more of Sanders in the second half, but he was pulled late in the fourth quarter as he finished the day going 20-of-30 for 347-yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.

As for Stoner, he finished the day with eight receptions for 247-yards and three touchdowns, with his yardage and touchdowns on the day accounting for new career-highs for the senior from Jenks.

“Dillon’s been a really good player, been solid player and reliable for a number of years,” Gundy said of wide receiver Dillon Stoner. “With Tylan [Wallace] not available, it’s good that he could step up and make some big plays. Obviously, he made a big play early in the game that kind of got things going for us offensively. So, he’s a guy that’s been around a long time and we’re appreciative of what he’s done for this program.”

Freshman running back Dominic Richardson saw some considerable action against the Bears with LD Brown missed his third-straight game and the announcement that Chuba Hubbard is sitting out the rest of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Richardson showed just how tough of a runner he is as he broke multiple tackles, including on a first half run that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown, the first of his career for the Cowboys. Richardson tacked on a second and third touchdown in the second half giving him a break-out performance. Richardson finished the day with 23 carries for 169-yards and three touchdowns.

There was a scary moment towards the end of the first half though as sophomore defensive end Trace Ford went down with what looked like a serious right knee injury. He had to be helped off the field and wasn’t able to put any weight on his right leg. Ford finished with four total tackles, two of which were solo stops, one sack, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

Senior linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez led the way for the Cowboy defense with eight total tackles, six of which were solo stops, one tackle for loss and one pass break up.

The offense stalled out a bit in the first half of the third quarter and Sanders threw his second interception of the game in the end zone trying to connect with Tay Martin. However, the Pokes’ next drive, Sanders made up for it as he connected with Dillon Stoner for a 50-yard completion that led to a second touchdown from Dominic Richardson giving the Pokes a 35-0 lead just before the fourth quarter.  

The Bears would knock in a 40-yard field goal to end the hopes of a shut-out for the Pokes before Richardson recorded his third touchdown on the day.