Baylor beat Oklahoma State 45-27 on Saturday afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium in the first game of the post Mike Gundy era. The first half, however, saw productivity that has been lacking offensively for the Cowboys in recent years.
The Cowboys entered the game ranked no. 112 in total offense with 324.3 yards per game.
Interim coach Doug Meacham emphasized that he wanted the players to enjoy playing the game, and to be loose despite a week of uncertainty and chaos.
“They call this a game because you’re supposed to have fun doing it,” Meacham said. “I really enjoyed watching the way they played and rallied around each other.”
Creativity was the major theme for Meacham’s team on its first few drives. Wide receiver Sam Jackson V was more involved in the offense than he was at any point in the previous three games. Jackson recorded stats in all three major offensive categories and was used primarily on gadget plays. He most notably had 46 passing yards and a touchdown, along with two catches and two carries.
“We just felt like it was a good time to let Sam have his time to do the things that he can do,” Meacham said. “A lot of teams have a wide receiver who played eighth grade quarterback and can kind of throw it, but he was a power four quarterback who started.”
The Cowboys finished the first half with 349 total yards, the most since the game against TCU in 2021.
“We didn’t really have an identity at first, and I think we’re getting that figured out now,” Jackson said. “Meacham opening up the playbook a little bit more is exactly what we needed.”
Running back Trent Howland was also featured as the team’s leading rusher. He finished the game with a career high in rushing yards with 84, and two touchdowns.
“The first games went how they went, but now I have my opportunity,” Howland said. “Every time I step on the field I just want to show what I can do.”
The offense wasn’t able to continue the success in the second half, only totaling 99 yards. Meacham believes that they now have a good foundation to continue forward.
“I hated the loss but it’s a phenomenal building block for the next one,” Meacham said. “Let’s learn from it and let’s build for the next one.”
