Oklahoma State sucks at football. I’m running out of different ways to phrase that.
The Cowboys lost 42-21 to Arizona State on Saturday to cap off what could hardly be considered America’s Greatest Homecoming this year. There was a long weather delay to ease the pain, but in the end the Cowboys achieved the result expected in 2024.
OSU has lost six straight games, its longest losing streak ever under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys are also still looking for their first Big 12 win. And at 3-6, Gundy’s precious bowl streak appears to be coming to an end after 18 years unless the Pokes win every game the rest of the time.
Here are my numbers from another OSU loss.
Violation: D
Part of me felt like a D was too low for the offense and just came from the frustration of watching lackluster football for six weeks straight, but 21 points isn’t good enough, especially when you can only score in the second half scored seven points during garbage time on your final possession.
The game started with a punt and interception for OSU. Alan Bowman threw an interception for the eighth straight game. Week 1 against FCS South Dakota State was the only time this season Bowman didn’t turn the ball over.
When OSU finally approached the end zone just four yards away with reigning Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon taking up space, Kasey Dunn called four consecutive pass plays and needed all four before Brennan Presley could barely get into the end zone after he had gotten past the end zone. pylon for a TD of one meter. The Cowboys scored again on their next drive, but then went scoreless their next six possessions until a pair of freshmen in the backfield got OSU downfield into the end zone. Before that drive, OSU had totaled 55 yards in the second half.
On the ground, OSU tallied 84 rushing yards while averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Gordon had 25 rushing yards, averaging 2.3 yards on 11 carries. The Cowboys totaled 270 yards against a defense that gave up 328.7 yards in Week 10.
So maybe a D is warranted.
Defense: F
This defense gave up more than 500 yards for the fifth game in a row. ASU averaged 10.5 yards per pass and 4.6 yards rushing. Another running back had a historic day against the Cowboys, as Cam Skattebo surpassed the century mark in both rushing and receiving yards. In total, Skattebo had 274 yards and three touchdowns. By comparison, OSU’s entire offense had 270 yards in the game. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for a season-high 304 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.
OSU’s defense failed under Bryan Nardo. Again.
Special teams: B
So special times actually showed some life. Kyler Pearson started the second half with a 38-yard return, but was called back for a holding penalty. He still got his big return, with a 48-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. That return was ultimately what catapulted OSU into the end zone after starting its final drive at ASU’s 49-yard line.
