Ollie Gordon Powers Oklahoma State to Big 12 Championship Game
The Oklahoma State Cowboys did not quit on Saturday as it came back from 18 points down and won 40-34 over the BYU Cougars inside Boone Pickens Stadium.
Nothing went right for the Oklahoma State offense in the first half. OSU was down 24-6 going into halftime, and running back Ollie Gordon had only 77 yards and zero touchdowns.
But, there is a reason they play two halves. Gordon in the second half was electric, rushing for 89 yards, bringing his total to 166 yards on the day. Gordon also secured five rushing touchdowns in the second half against the Cougars.
"Ollie was able to run for us in the second half, made big runs and a couple big ones that were somewhat on his own,” Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said. “He found a way to get it done. That last touchdown, that was a heck of a run.”
Gordon’s night put him in some elite company. He is the first Cowboy since Barry Sanders to collect five touchdowns in a game. Gordon said it's always awesome to be mentioned with Sanders.
"Being put in the same category as a name like Barry Sanders around here? It's really cool,” Gordon said.
Gordon has been on a tear this season. He leads the country in rushing yards, and he has rushed for over 150 yards in five games this season, including the last two games.
The sophomore's night against the Cougars secured OSU a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. It will be the second time in three seasons the Cowboys will be playing in Arlington.
"It feels great,” Gordon said. “I'm pretty sure people counted us out after week three and week four."
OSU will take on the Texas Longhorns next Saturday at 11 a.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
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Nick is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University, where he also minors Sports Managment. He has covered OSU softball for 107.7 The Franchise and also covers Oklahoma high school football for Enid News & Eagle.