Walk-On Kyler Pearson Made the Most of His Opportunity on Saturday
STILLWATER – After a three-hour rain delay, Oklahoma State retook the field to receiving the opening kick of the second half. Up to that point, the Cowboys has combined for 163 total yards, more than 100-less yards than Arizona State, and just 13 yards coming on the ground but trailed the Sun Devils by just seven points, 21-14.
Parker Lewis lined up and kicked it deep, which was fielded by Kyler Pearson at the two-yard line. Pearson, who stands all of 5-6, weaved his way in and out of traffic on the north side, turned on the jets and took it back 98 yards for a touchdown to tie the game up at 21.
The Cowboys suddenly had all the momentum and the few fans that came back after the rain delay were just as loud as at any point in the first two quarters. In that moment, everyone in that stadium felt like the Cowboys were going to get their first win of Big 12 play.
However, a holding call on Raymond Gay II negated the score and put the Pokes on their own 17-line back down 21-14. Five plays later, on 4th and inches, Mike Gundy elected to punt, and a few drives later the Sun Devils got back into the end zone and never looked back.
But for one shining moment, Kyler Pearson gave the Cowboys some hope.
"It was a big moment for me,” Pearson said on Monday. “It was special for me and my whole family being able to watch. If you guys kind of know my story, I'm a fifth-year walk-on just waiting for my chance, doing whatever I got to do to help the team. That was a big opportunity for me and made the most of it. It made it all worth it turning around, celebrating with my teammates and seeing how happy they were for me."
Then a bit of redemption for Pearson late in the fourth quarter as he returned a punt from Kanyon Floyd 37 yards to the ASU 49-yard line, leading to an 11-yard touchdown rush by Sesi Vailahi seven plays later.
No matter what happens this coming Saturday at TCU, it’s safe to say every Cowboy fan is going to be clued in on kickoffs and punts because Pearson could break one off at any second.