Cowboy Culture: OSU’s Bedlam Win Is So Much More Than Just That

STILLWATER – As the seconds closed and Oklahoma State had sealed a Bedlam thriller, I was right in the thick of the mayhem. I spent the entirety of the game on the field, and me and everybody around me knew exactly what was about to happen. It was obvious.

The clock hit zero, I sprinted to midfield and waited for chaos to unfold. And it did. Within 30 seconds I was surrounded by players and thousands of fans in absolute disbelief. Most of them had never stormed a field before, including myself. As I looked around, something became very clear to me: this was so much more than just a win.

It’s one of those wins that can change the outlook for the future. Pave the way for what is to come. A program win.

One that will be remembered forever.

After Brennan Presley’s muffed punt that resulted in an OU touchdown, the Sooners could feel another Bedlam win. They could taste it.

It would have meant OU once again makes the Big 12 title game, while OSU’s playoff hopes would be ruined.

The Cowboys weren’t letting that happen.

The third quarter was ticking down and the OU offense was pinned inside its own 15-yard line. A big possession for the OSU defense to try and get the momentum back trailing by 9. The defense got the stop and the crowd stepped up big time. The decibel level in the stadium surpassed 104 during that series.

For reference, 104 decibels is a rough equivalent to hearing a nearby helicopter. The human voice caps out at 120 at the loudest.

We all know what happens next; Spencer Sanders makes one of the best plays of his career, running in from 37 yards out to narrow the gap. Then an OU muffed punt leads to a Jaylen Warren touchdown to give OSU the lead for good.

It was far from a clean game for Oklahoma State. Muffed punt resulting in a touchdown, fumble resulting in a safety, interception leading to a touchdown. And it was a struggle to run the ball on the OU d-line. As a team OSU rushed for 140 yards with 93 of them coming from Sanders. Just 3.3 YPC for Warren.

The defense had some problems too. Most of them related to the elusiveness of Caleb Williams. After giving up 24 points in the first half, the defense gave up no points in the second half.

“They rallied back, made a couple adjustments. The culture helped them. They’ve been riding high all year, but Oklahoma’s good at scheming. They know what they’re doing and they have skill.”

In the locker room after the game, Pokes Report’s Robert Allen was interviewing Josh Sills. Sione Asi walked up to Sills, hugged him and told him he loved him. It’s been talked about before, but the bond that these players have is special. It’s a big reason this team has achieved the things it has this year.

“As coaches, we can’t make the players care about each other,” Gundy said. “They have to want to do that themselves, because if we knew how to do it, every coach would do it. It’s something that has to be blueprinted for them, which is our culture. Our culture allows that to happen.”

There’s that word again: culture. That culture has never been stronger than it is right now. Everyone is bought in.

There’s a good chance that this is the final Bedlam meeting in Stillwater for quite some time. With OU moving to the SEC in the near future, OSU couldn’t ask for a better way to “send out” their in-state rival. The all-time series record means nothing in this situation. Oklahoma State beat Oklahoma and booted them from the Big 12 championship in the process. If it’s the last time these teams meet for the foreseeable future, Oklahoma State has the bragging rights until they meet again.

Now the Cowboys await Baylor in the Big 12 title game, and an OSU win could mean a playoff berth if the cards fall the right way.

“It’s a great night for Oklahoma State,” Gundy said. “Fans were through the roof, the crowd the walk, the pom-poms. It’s a big-time college football atmosphere.”