OSU Clinches Big 12 Title Game Berth After Double-OT Win Over BYU
The task was simple. Win and you're in. Oklahoma State needed to beat BYU at home on senior day to advance to the Big 12 Championship game to take on Texas.
Oklahoma State got the ball first and went on a six play drive ending in a 40 yard Alex Hale field goal. Cowboys jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
The Cowboys didn't take long to follow that up. Trey Rucker recovered a Jake Retzlaff fumble on a pitch option play deep in BYU territory. However, OSU couldn't find the end zone leading to another Alex Hale field goal, this time from 20 yards out. OSU on top 6-0.
Oklahoma State couldn't contain BYU on their next drive though. The Cougars went on a nine play drive for 73 yards finishing in a two yard touchdown run by Jake Retzlaff. It was sprung by OSU transfer Caleb Etienne who transferred to BYU last season. 7-6 Cougars.
BYU attempted an onside kick and recovered, but it was reviewed and overturned due to a player being blocked before he had an opportunity to recover the ball. A bullet dodged for the Cowboys.
The second quarter came, but the OSU offense sputtered again. OSU went for it on fourth and one, but there was a bust and Alan Bowman put the ball into the turf and turned it over on downs.
The Cowboys would get a stop, but the offensive struggles continued. Alan Bowman and Jaden Bray couldn't get on the same page and Eddie Heckard picked off OSU and returned it 12 yards for the touchdown. BYU on top 14-6.
BYU would add an 11 yard touchdown run to go on top 21-6 over the Cowboys by Keelan Marion. OSU's defense managed to get BYU to a four down situation. But Ryan Rehkow, the punter, hit Tyler Batty for 36 yards. BYU would add a 42 yard field goal to make it 24-6 and that was the halftime score.
BYU got the ball to open the half, OSU forced the three and out and then went on a four play drive capped off by a two yard touchdown run by Ollie Gordon. Cowboys notch their first touchdown of the game and cut into the BYU lead. 24-13 Cougars.
After some back and forth the rest of the quarter. BYU's Eddie Heckard picked off Alan Bowman for a second time to end OSU's threat. The contest went to the fourth with OSU trailing by 11.
Ollie Gordon again found pay dirt rushing it in from two yards out to start the fourth. OSU went for two and converted making it 24-21. OSU with all the momentum.
The Heisman hopeful was just getting started too. With just over three minutes to play, OSU faced a fourth down where Alan Bowman hit Jaden Nixon gain of four to keep the drive alive. Bowman was 31-47, 321 yards. Under a minute to play, Gordon broke off a 15 yard touchdown to five OSU a 27-24 lead.
Oklahoma State couldn't keep BYU down and Jake Ferrin nailed a 48 yard field goal to force overtime tied a 27.
In the first OT, OSU had the ball first and made the most of the possession. Ollie Gordon again powered home a touchdown run to give OSU the Cowboys a 34-27 lead. His fourth of the game.
BYU's possession resulted in Jake Retzlaff's second rushing touchdown of the game. The extra point was true and we went to a second overtime.
In the second OT, Ollie Gordon scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the game. He had 34 carries for 166 yards. OSU wouldn't convert the mandatory two point conversion, but they led 40-34.
Trey Rucker picked the best time for his second turnover of the game. He forced a fumble on a Retzlaff pass reception and the Cowboys recovered.
OSU won 40-34 advancing to the Big 12 Championship Game for a second time in three years.
The Cowboys square off with Texas December 2nd at 11 a.m. inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington.