Postgame Notes: Oklahoma State 13 Arizona 41

Oklahoma State at Arizona

October 4, 2025  |  Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)

Final Score: Arizona 41, Oklahoma State 13

Updated Records: Oklahoma State (1-4 overall; 0-2 Big 12); Arizona (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big 12)

Game Flow

Arizona never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 14-3 advantage at the end of the first quarter and a 24-6 advantage at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the Wildcat advantage swelled to 38-6 and the game was out of reach.

The Wildcats outgained Oklahoma State, 478-158, including a 433-69 advantage in passing yards.

Postgame notes

• Saturday’s game was the second for Oklahoma State interim head coach Doug Meacham, who stepped into the role after OSU and 21-year head coach Mike Gundy parted ways on September 23. It was the first game for interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, who stepped into the role following the dismissal of Todd Grantham earlier in the week. Bowen has been on staff in a quality control position since the spring of 2025.
• For the fourth time in five games this season, Oklahoma State won the turnover battle. The Cowboys’ three turnovers forced were the most for OSU since the Pokes had three takeaways against BYU last year.
• Redshirt freshman cornerback LaDainian Fields intercepted a Braedyn Locke pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. It was the first pick-six for Oklahoma State since Kale Smith went 73 yards against Arkansas in 2024.
• Safety Parker Robertson intercepted a Noah Fifita pass late in the second quarter and returned it 33 yards. It was Oklahoma State’s second interception of the season and the Cowboys’ fourth turnover forced. It was the third interception of Robertson’s career and his first of the season.
• Wendell Gregory forced a Noah Fifita fumble on the OSU five-yard line that was recovered by Bryan McCoy, Jr., at the one-yard line to slam the door on a potential scoring drive for Arizona in the third quarter.
• The Oklahoma State defense tallied six sacks. Entering the game, the Cowboys had five sacks in their first four games combined. Six sacks were the most for OSU since getting six at Colorado in the 2024 season finale.
• The Oklahoma State defense set a season-high with 11 tackles for loss – its highest single-game output since getting 11 against Wisconsin in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. 
• Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores broke a career-long 27-yard run to spearhead a first quarter field goal drive.
• In four of Oklahoma State’s five games this season, Logan Ward has kicked a field goal of 40 yards or longer. Saturday, he converted from 47 yards and from 46 yards.
• Banks Bowen entered the game at quarterback early in the fourth quarter for his Oklahoma State debut. A true freshman, Bowen played for his father - OSU first-year interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen – at Lawrence HS in Kansas.
• Oklahoma State wore orange jerseys in a true road game for what is believed to be the first time in the modern era.

Personnel notes

• Making their first start of the season for Oklahoma State were receiver Gavin Freeman, defensive end Kyran Duhon, defensive tackle Aden Kelley and safety Mordecai McDaniel.
• Typical starters Josh Ford (tight end) and Jaleel Johnson (defensive end) missed the game to injury.