STILLWATER – Oklahoma State had one of its best offensive performances since 2024 but couldn’t capitalize on the scoreboard as they lost to Baylor, 45-27.
With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 1-3 in the season and 0-1 to start Big 12 play. They’ve also lost their last 12 games against FBS opponents.
“I think beyond the schematics of things and things that didn't go right or wrong, and beyond all that, it's very impressive to me to watch these guys, under all the adversity, come out with all the energy,” said Doug Meacham. “They were the most excited team to play that game and had no reason to be. And so, it's a testament to Mike (Gundy) building a culture here, picking the right kind of guys that will fight through adversity and come together as a team. And I think that I was really impressed with that part. A lot of fun. They were having fun and that's really what it's all about. This is just a game at the end of the day. They call it a game, so you can have fun doing it right? And I think our guys had fun. I think the coaches had fun. I just really enjoyed watching how they rallied around each other, how they played as a unit, and picking each other up, encouraging each other when things didn't go well and it was really good.
Meacham continued, “I think we have to continue, obviously, to take the momentum of the first half in the second and push through and keep the train rolling, so to speak, in the second half, but really pleased with the guys under adverse situations. And we're going to stop saying that, because we're going to move forward. And the next thing is, it's not going to be an excuse, and it's really proud of the guys and proud of the staff, because they spent a ginormous amount of time preparing these guys. It's not easy, but I think it's pretty cool. Everybody keeps it compartmentalized and just focuses on the job and their kids and work. I think it's kind of special. I hated that we lost, but it's a phenomenal building block for the next one. I told the kids, just you guys go sulk for an hour or whatever, and then forget about it, and let's learn from it. Let's build for the next one. Let's go to Tucson and get ready to roll.”
It was a multi-quarterback effort from the Cowboys against the Bears as interim head coach and offensive coordinator Doug Meacham utilized both Zane Flores and Sam Jackson V. Even running back Trent Howland got into the mix.
Flores finished the game going 23-of-41 for 232 yards through the air, and six carries for 25 yards.
Jackson recorded the trifecta of offensive stats, throwing for 46 yards and the Pokes’ lone passing touchdown on 3-of-4 passing, rushing for nine yards on two carries and hauling in two catches for five yards.
Running back Trent Howland had a career day as he rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Shamar Rigby also recorded a career-high today as he had five catches for 84 yards.
It was the best first half of offense from the Cowboys in years as they combined for 349 yards of total offense in the first half, 200 yards through the air and 149 yards on the ground. That includes a one-yard loss after taking a knee going into the half.
It marked the most yards in a half since they put up 352 yards in the win over TCU in 2021.
They finished with 448 yards of total offense, 291 yards through the air and 157 yards on the ground.
The Pokes’ first touchdown of the game came on a little trickeration. Flores hit Jackson with a backwards pass, who then hit a wide-open Josh Ford for a 26-yard touchdown. Ford caught the ball inside the five-yard line and tap-danced the sidelines to get into the end zone. It marked both Jackson and Ford’s first touchdown of the season.
The next touchdown for the Pokes was called back. Flores scrambled out of the pocket down the left side of the field, hurdling a would-be Baylor tackler and got into the end zone from 30 yards out. However, a defensive hold on Gavin Freeman brought the run back to the BU 22-yard line.
The Cowboys had to settle for a 39-yard field goal from Logan Ward, making it a 14-10 ball game with 11:31 left in the first half.
The Cowboys got back into the end zone midway through the second quarter as Howland got in from 10 yards out, which was followed by a 42-yard field goal from Ward to make it a 28-20 game going into halftime.
The third quarter started off very different. The Pokes’ first three drives resulted in zero yards, while Baylor found the end zone to make it a two-score game, 35-20. That’s when the OSU defense stepped up a bit, forcing a fumble and then a punt in consecutive drives, which led to the Pokes’ most-productive drive of the quarter.
Flores hit Shamar Rigby for 39 yards to the Baylor 45-yard line, which was followed by a halfback pass from Howland to Royal Capell for 13 yards to the Baylor three-yard line. Howland powered his way into the end zone on the next play, making it 35-27.
A Baylor field goal just at the start of the fourth quarter made it a 38-27 game, but it was a great effort from the OSU defense to force the field goal.
The Pokes’ offense stalled out again late, resulting in a turnover on downs as Flores completed a three-yard pass to Freeman, needing to get four for the first down.
The Bears would score one more touchdown on a two-yard touchdown run from quarterback Sawyer Robertson to make it a 45-27 win for the Bears.
