Five Key Plays From Oklahoma State's Win Against Kansas State
Oklahoma State’s important win against Kansas State was not smooth, but a few game-changing plays made the difference.
OSU took the lead early and extended it to as many as 19 in the second half of its 29-21 win. And thanks to some impressive play from OSU’s defense, KSU could never catch up.
Five key plays from OSU’s win against Kansas State:
Ollie Gordon’s First Big Run
After the Cowboys scored on their first possession, they were driving again late in the first quarter. With a chance to gain momentum early in the game, Ollie Gordon took advantage of the opportunity.
Gordon took the handoff from Alan Bowman and exploded through the Wildcats’ defense, going for 33 yards after the defense finally got in front of him. This play was a statement from the offense that it was not to be taken lightly. The run put the Cowboys at the Wildcats’ 24, and they would eventually kick a field goal to go up 10-0.
Cameron Epps’ Arrival
KSU got the ball back late in the first half, looking to close the six-point gap or take the lead. Cameron Epps had other ideas.
Wildcats’ quarterback Will Howard threw a pass looking for his receiver along the right sideline, and Epps read the play perfectly to intercept the pass and run the other way. Epps took it all the way back for a pick-six that swung the game squarely in the Cowboys’ favor heading to halftime.
The Bad Snap
With KSU in scoring position midway through the third quarter, it faced a fourth-and-eight. Trailing by 16, KSU had an opportunity to make it a one-possession game until disaster struck.
As Howard stepped forward to call something out before the play, the Wildcats’ center snapped the ball directly past Howard, and a footrace ensued. Howard managed to get on top of it, but it did not matter as the Wildcats turned it over on downs in a critical situation.
A Questionable Fourth-Down Decision
Trailing by 11 in the first minutes of the fourth quarter, KSU went three-and-out after starting its possession at its 19-yard line. After gaining seven yards in three plays, KSU elected not to bring the punt team out.
With an empty backfield on fourth down, Howard sent a pass over the middle to DJ Giddens, but his intended target could not make the catch. The Cowboys forced the Wildcats into another turnover and got off the field on fourth down to set up their offense with excellent field position.
Will Howard’s Third Interception
Despite the Wildcats’ struggles, they still had a chance to tie the game late. With less than four minutes left, the Wildcats had driven into Cowboys’ territory and faced a third-and-12.
Howard looked to throw a short pass to his right, but Nick Martin got in front of the receiver and gave the Cowboys another takeaway. With little time left, that play nearly sunk the Wildcats’ chances.
KSU would get one last chance after stopping OSU but turned it over on downs. The defense helped seal the game and get the Cowboys their first Big 12 win in 2023.
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