Game Notes
Despite trailing by 13 points late in the first half, OSU took a 21-20 advantage into the locker room at halftime. Jaylen Warren punched in a six-yard touchdown rush with 2:10 left in the half, then after Malcolm Rodriguez forced a fumble that was recovered by Devin Harper at the Boise State 21-yard line, Spencer Sanders scored on a one-yard rush with six seconds left before half. The Cowboys ran the ball effectively during that span, rushing 18 times in their 21 second-quarter plays. The Pokes closed the first half by rushing the ball on each of their final 12 plays from scrimmage.
Oklahoma State rushed for 246 yards, which is more than it rushed for in its first two games of the season combined. During one stretch from the end of second quarter through the beginning of the third, OSU rushed the ball on 21 consecutive plays. Time of possession in the third quarter read like this – Oklahoma State 12:18, Boise State 2:42.
The Oklahoma State defense limited Boise State to 64 yards of total offense in the second half. Neither team scored a point in the second half.
Making his first start as a Cowboy, Jaylen Warren finished with career-high 218 rushing yards. It was the 48th 200-yard rushing game in school history. His 218 yards were the most for a Cowboy since Dezmon Jackson rushed for 235 against Texas Tech last season. He broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. It was OSU’s longest rushing play since Chuba Hubbard scored on a 92-yard rush against TCU in 2019. It was the Cowboys’ longest rush in a road game since Hubbard scored on a 75-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage against Tulsa that same season. For Warren, it was the second-longest of his career and also marked his fourth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown.
Jaylen Warren had 150 rushing yards at halftime, the most for a Cowboy in a half since Chuba Hubbard rushed for 192 in the second half against TCU in 2019.
Warren’s performance was needed because several notable Cowboys did not make the trip. Included on the list of inactives were receivers Tay Martin, Jaden Bray and Braydon Johnson and running back Dezmon Jackson. The Cowboys were also missing an important defensive leader, as safety Tre Sterling did not make the trip.
With so many out, sophomore Rashod Owens made his first career start at receiver and Jason Taylor II earned his second consecutive start at safety.
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is making an early case for national awards and All-America honors. He entered the game leading the FBS in tackles per game at 14.0 and No. 1 in solo tackles at 8.5 per game. He forced a fumble that turned the game around late in the first half and led the team with eight tackles.
Of Tom Hutton’s seven punts in the game, four were downed inside the Boise State 20-yard line.
With OSU depleted at receiver, walk-on Cale Cabbiness was pressed into significant action. He made one of the most impactful plays of the game when he made a spectacular grab for a 24-yard gain on third-and-seven with about 1:30 remaining in the game. With Boise State out of timeouts, that play sealed the win. He caught the ball along the sideline and then muscled it away from the defender. It was his first career catch. When the game ended, his teammates swarmed him on the field and lifted him up in celebration.
Boise State entered the game boasting a 29-2 record in non-conference home games game since the start of the 2006 season.
Boise State entered the game averaging 42.5 points per game, but the Cowboy defense limited the Broncos to 20.
Boise State entered the game by allowing only one sack in its previous two games. The Cowboys recorded four.
Oklahoma State fielded its third different combination of offensive line starters in as many games. Hunter Woodard was the change, as he made his first start of the season at right guard.
After converting on a field goal on its opening drive, Boise State became the first team to score against Oklahoma State in the first quarter of a game this season. Prior to that, OSU had held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 17 of the previous 19 games and each of the previous six.
This was the first time in program history that Oklahoma State played a game in the state of Idaho.
Game captains for Oklahoma State were Jaylen Warren, Tyler Lacy, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Kanion Williams.
The Oklahoma State win...
Made the Cowboys 2-0 all-time vs. Boise State and 15-5-1 all-time against teams from the Mountain West Conference.
Made it 1-0 all-time in games played in the state of Idaho.
Made it 3-0 for the fifth straight season and for the 12th time in the Mike Gundy era.
Improved Mike Gundy's career record vs. Mountain West teams to 2-0.
Improved Mike Gundy's record vs. non-Power Five opponents to 39-4.
Made it 18-1 in its past 19 non-conference games and 40-6 in its past 46 non-conference games.
Improved Mike Gundy's record in non-conference games to 57-12.
Improved it to 11-3 in its past 14 games, 20-8 in its past 28 games, 44-18 in its past 62 games and 58-24 in its past 82 games.
Made it 77-16 in its past 93 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating back to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Through the Boise State Game
OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50 percent third down conversion rate in 14 straight games.
Malcolm Rodriguez has recorded at least eight tackles in eight straight games.
Rodriguez has led OSU in tackles in every game this season.
OSU is 29-10 in its past 39 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
OSU is 33-5 in its past 38 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
Dating back to 2008, OSU is 65-8 when winning the turnover battle.
OSU has forced 14 turnovers in its past seven games.
OSU has had a 100-yard rusher in eight of its past 13 games.
