STUNNED IN STILLWATER: TEXAS 41, OSU 34 (OT)

The Texas Longhorns (4-2, 3-2) were successful in their last Halloween trip to Stillwater, routing the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-1, 3-1) 41-14 in 2009.  Texas didn’t dominate Mike Gundy’s sixth-ranked Pokes on Saturday, but they forced four turnovers and managed just enough, en route to a 41-34 overtime upset over undefeated Oklahoma State.

The win was Tom Herman’s biggest while at Texas and couldn’t have come at a better time for a program that has been in search for an identity on both sides of the ball all season.  While all the questions about this program weren’t answered today, the Longhorns find themselves controlling their own destiny in a Big 12 title race that seemed unattainable four games into the season.

The Longhorns scored 13 points off of Oklahoma State’s four turnovers, which kept them in this game.  Texas managed just 287 yards of offense compared to Oklahoma State’s 530.  Texas linebacker Joseph Ossai had 12 tackles, 6 of them for a loss, including the game-winning sack on Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders in overtime.

Sam Ehlinger threw for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Longhorns tallied 118 rushing yards on the day, with true freshman Bijan Robinson leading the way for the Longhorns with 59 yards on 13 carries.  Jake Smith led the way in receiving with seven catches for 70 yards and one touchdown.

Spencer Sanders had a terrific day for the Cowboys, throwing for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns with one interception. Texas held Chuba Hubbard to 72 yards on 25 carries.  Tylan Wallace had a big day, grabbing 11 catches for 187 yards and two scores.

Texas will host the West Virginia Mountaineers next Saturday at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

GAME SUMMARY

Oklahoma State won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.  The Longhorns started on offense and picked up one first down on the drive, courtesy of a 24-yard run from Bijan Robinson, before punting it away.

The Cowboys took advantage of their first possession, and a roughing the passer call on Jacoby Jones, marching 86 yards on seven plays to take a 7-0 lead.  The scoring drive was capped with OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders finding Tylan Wallace in the end zone for the score.

Spencer Sanders fumbled on the Cowboys’ ensuing possession and Jacoby Jones recovered it at the OSU 15-yard line. Three plays later Keaontay Ingram punched it in for Texas, his first rushing TD of the season, evening the score at 7-7 with 8:31 remaining the quarter.  Ingram injured his ankle on the second play of the drive and would not return to the field.

The Pokes would answer, with Spencer Sanders throwing his second touchdown of the game, this one to Brandon Wolf for five yards.  Oklahoma State held a 14-7 lead with 1:46 left in the first quarter.

Sam Ehlinger threw his first touchdown pass in the game to Brennan Eagles, for 41 yards, at the 13:20 mark of the second quarter to even the score at 14-14.

OSU’ turnover woes would continue, with Jalen Green intercepting Spencer Sanders with 12:08 left in the first half. This set Texas up with first and goal at the OSU eight yard line.  The Longhorns couldn’t find the end zone in three plays. Instead they settled for Cameron Dicker’s 20-yard field goal, giving them a 17-14 lead, their first of the game.

Oklahoma State regained the lead on its next possession.

Spencer Sanders ran for 35 yards to the Texas 5-yard line on second and three, setting up a five-yard touchdown reception by Chuba Hubbard (Sanders’ third passing TD of the game).

Cowboy kicker Alex Hale kicked a 31-yard field goal to extend the Oklahoma State lead to 24-17 with 1:49 left in the first half.

Oklahoma State looked poised to put more points on the board before the half, but Joseph Ossai’s hit on Spencer Sanders caused a fumble. TaQuon Graham recovered and returned it to the OSU 20-yard line. With the game clock at :07 and no timeouts, Texas opted for a Cameron Dicker field goal from 40 yards to cut the OSU lead to 24-20.

The Cowboys scored the first points of the second half on Tylan Wallace’s second touchdown reception (9 yards) of the game.

D’Shawn Jamison answered by taking the OSU kickoff 100 yards for a Texas touchdown. Jamison was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and Cameron Dicker missed the extra point.  The Cowboys led 31-26 at that point.

Texas forced the fourth OSU turnover of the day at the 12:15 mark in the 4th quarter. DeMarvion Overshown’s hit on LD Brown forced a fumble which was recovered by Joseph Ossai. The Longhorns had their drive extended by a roughing the kicker call and converted two 4th downs, the last of which was a touchdown pass from Sam Ehlinger to Jake Smith. Texas went for two and converted, giving the Longhorns a 34-31 lead with 4:27 left on the clock.

Oklahoma State rallied, with Alex Hale making good on his second field goal of the night from 34-yards out with five seconds left on the game clock.

Headed to overtime, Texas and Oklahoma State were tied 34-34.

The Cowboys won the toss and deferred, setting the Longhorns up on offense first in OT. On 3rd down at the OSU 23-yard line, Thomas Harper was flagged for pass interference on Joshua Moore. This gave Texas a fresh set of downs at the Cowboy 8-yard line. Two plays later Joshua Moore grabbed his first reception of the night, a 15 yard touchdown pass from Sam Ehlinger to give Texas a 41-34 lead.

Oklahoma State moved the ball to the Texas 12-yard line on their possession but was ultimately forced with a 4th & 8. Joseph Ossai chased down Spencer Sanders from behind for a sack on the next play, ending the game and giving Texas the win.