Cowboy Defense Comes Up Huge in 24-14 Win Over Baylor

STILLWATER – For the first time since the 2015 season, Oklahoma State starts the season 5-0 following the 24-14 win over the Baylor Bears.

The Cowboys will face Texas on Oct. 16 in Austin, TX following an open week next week.

Quarterback Spencer Sanders finished the game going 13-of-23 for 182 yards, one touchdown and three picks. He also had 12 carries for 76 yards.

Running back Jaylen Warren had another solid game as he posted 36 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns, including a four-yarder for the final touchdown of the game.

Receiver Tay Martin led the Pokes with seven catches for 108 yards, but redshirt freshman Rashod Owens picked up his first career touchdown.

The Cowboy defense was solid as they held the Bears to 3-of-15 on 3^rd down conversion. They also posted 280 yards, 173 of which came through the air.

The Cowboys posted 14 first half points, an eight-yard run by Jaylen Warren in the first quarter and a 32-yard pass from Spencer Sanders to Rashod Owens. However, it was the Pokes’ defense that kept them in the game following two first-half interceptions by Spencer Sanders. The Pokes held the Bears to just 99 yards of total offense in the first half, 93 through the air and just six on the ground. They also held them to 0-for-6 on 3rd down conversions.

Jaylen Warren started the game for the Pokes posting seven carries for 51 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive, scoring his fifth touchdown in as many games.

There wouldn’t be another score from either side until late in the second quarter when Sanders found redshirt freshman Rashod Owens in the back of the end zone from 32-yards out with :36 left in the first half.

Baylor would find the end zone on a 4th and short midway through the third quarter to bring the score to 14-7 OSU, but the Cowboys answered a few minutes later with a field goal, putting the Pokes up 17-7.

Following a seven play, 84-yard drive which lasted 2:44, Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon got into the end zone from one-yard out, bringing the Bears within three, 17-14 with 12:04 left in the game.

With just over eight minutes left in the game, the Cowboy defense came up with a huge stop on fourth down to force a turnover on downs, then came up with another huge stop on 3rd and short deep in Baylor territory to force a Baylor punt, giving the Pokes the ball back with 5:32 left in the fourth.

On the ensuing drive, the Cowboys picked up a first down on the opening play, then Baylor was called for a defensive holding, giving OSU another first down. One the next play, Sanders picks up six yards up the right side, but Baylor was called for an unnecessary roughness after the play, giving OSU the ball on the Baylor 13-yard line. After getting the ball down to the four, Braden Cassity was called for holding, taking the ball to the Baylor 14. Sanders with a QB keeper back down to the Baylor four, bringing up a 4th and one. After several minutes and timeouts, Jaylen Warren gets into the end zone on 4th and short for his second touchdown of the night, putting the Cowboys on top, 24-14.

As they had all game, the Cowboy defense came up with stops when it mattered most late in the fourth to force a Baylor 4th and long. With 1:13 left, Collin Oliver came up with a sack to force a turnover on downs and seal the game for the Pokes.

The Cowboys will face Texas on Oct. 16 in Austin, TX following an open week next week.