Oklahoma State Takes Care of Business Against South Dakota State 44-20

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State care of business in its season opener against South Dakota State as they beat the Jackrabbits, 44-20.

This marked the largest margin of victory for the Cowboys in a season opener since 58-17 win over Missouri State in 2018. 

Quarterback Alan Bowman had a solid game as he went 25-of-34 for 267 yards and three touchdowns, his completion percentage since moving to Stillwater, connecting with six receivers, including 83 yards on six passes to De’Zhaun Stribling and 81 yards and one touchdown to Rashod Owens on three passes.

Ollie Gordon II posted his 10th game in the past 12 where he’s posted at least 100 rushing yards, posting 27 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown.

As a team, the Cowboys combined for 394 yards, 127 coming on the ground. They averaged 3.3 yards per carry and 10.7 yards per completion. They were 5-for-14 on 3rd down conversion, but 2-for-2 on 4th downs. They also had just one penalty on the game for 10 yards.

On the other side, the Jackrabbits combined for 388 total yards, 124 coming on the ground. They averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 13.2 yards per completion. The Cowboys held them to 3-for-13 on 3rd down and 0-for-4 on 4th down.

The Cowboys defense came up with a stop on two-straight plays to force a fourth down and then get the ball back on an incomplete pass over the middle to give the offense the ball on their own 43-yard line. The offense moved the ball well, but just couldn’t connect on a 25-yard fade from Bowman to Rashod Owens, leading to a 42-yard field goal from Logan Ward.

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Presley gets into the end zone early against SDSU.

Bowman connected with Brennan Presley on the next drive for the Pokes first touchdown of the season, seven-yard pass to put the Pokes up 10-0 in the first quarter.

The Jackrabbits got on the board early in the second quarter with a field goal, before Ollie Gordon II got into the end zone from 12 yards out for his first touchdown of the season to put the Pokes up 17-3.

The Jackrabbits got another field goal on the board before the end of the second quarter 

The Cowboys combined for 171 yards of total offense in the first half, 59 of which came on the ground. On the other side, SDSU combined for 179 yards of total offense, 100 coming on the ground, but with just three points.

The Cowboys came out in the second half and scored on their opening drive on a 22-yard pass from Bowman to Gordon II, but SDSU had an answer as they drove down the field on the ensuing kick on three plays, 75 yards capping with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Gronowski to Goering to make it a 24-13 game.

The Cowboys had an answer on the next drive though as Bowman hit Owens with a 58-yard score to put the Pokes up 31-13. 

Collin Oliver recorded his first sack of the season to bring up a 4th and 25 for the Jackrabbits, leading to their second punt of the game. 

On the next drive, Ollie got into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day, his second rushing, on the Pokes next drive, making it a 38-13 game in the third quarter.

The Jacks got into the end zone early in the fourth quarter on a 60-yard pass from Gronowski to Wilde, making it a 21-point game, 41-20.  Logan Ward put three more on the board with just over a minute left in the game for the 44-20 win.