Tag: Oklahoma state

Iowa State pursues third straight win in clash vs. Oklahoma State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Iowa State will seek to close the regular season on a three-game winning streak Saturday afternoon when it faces Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.

The Cyclones (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) realize they can’t count out the Cowboys despite their season-long struggles.

“When you watch this Oklahoma State team — and all you’ve gotta do is watch the last two games — how these kids are playing, it’s a tribute to their leadership in their locker room,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “It’s a tribute to the attitude and effort, and we know what Oklahoma State football is all about.”

After stopping a four-game slide and becoming bowl eligible with a 20-17 win at TCU on Nov. 8, the Cyclones bolstered their postseason standing with last week’s 38-14 victory against Kansas.

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht threw three touchdown passes, including two to Brett Eskildsen.

Oklahoma State (1-10, 0-8) hopes to stop a 10-game losing streak. Drubbed at the outset of the skid and throughout October, the Cowboys have played opponents closer in recent weeks.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone loves playing for each other and everyone loves this team,” Cowboys tight end Quinton Stewart said. “When everyone has that mindset, everyone wants to win. There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone’s going to give this last game everything they’ve got.”

Oklahoma State fell 14-6 to Kansas State on Nov. 15 before last week’s 17-14 loss to UCF, which won on a 34-yard field goal by Noe Ruelas in the final minute.

Cowboys quarterback Zane Flores passed and rushed for a touchdown in the first half, but the team surrendered 17 unanswered second-half points. The Cowboys know they must stand up to the Cyclones’ bruising run game.

Iowa State’s leading rusher — Carson Hansen (841 yards) — and Abu Sama III (645) are averaging at least 5 yards a carry.

“If you don’t match it and play physical, they’re going to do it,” Cowboys defensive tackle Aden Kelley said. “I think that’s a big focus for this week, just the physicality.”

–Field Level Media

Reports: Oklahoma State hiring North Texas coach Eric Morris

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Oklahoma State plans to make North Texas’ Eric Morris its next head football coach, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Oklahoma State parted with Mike Gundy in September, three games into his 21st season at the helm of the program. The Cowboys were 1-2 following a loss to Tulsa and have dropped to 1-10 since Doug Meacham took over as interim coach.

Morris will stay with North Texas through the remainder of the season and any postseason games the Mean Green make. A win this Friday against Temple would clinch North Texas’ spot in the American Conference championship game, and though currently unranked, the Mean Green have a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff if they finish as the highest-ranked Group of Five champion.

Morris, 40, is a Texas native who played wide receiver at Texas Tech and served in coaching capacities at Houston, Washington State and Texas Tech. He was the head coach of Incarnate Word from 2018-21 and went 24-18 in that span, coaching the Cardinals to two FCS playoff appearances.

After spending 2022 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington State, he took over at North Texas, where he has gone 21-15 to date.

–Field Level Media

UCF rallies from 14 down as Dylan Wade lifts Knights past Oklahoma State

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UCF staged a 14-point second half comeback behind a stifling defensive performance and a career day from Dylan Wade to continue Oklahoma State’s misery in a 17-14 win Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

After a tough first half, the Knights (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) stormed back to keep the Cowboys (1-10, 0-8) at the bottom of the conference.

Wade put up a career-high 145 yards and caught UCF’s two touchdowns on the day. He finished with four catches.

Wade connected with Tayven Jackson for the game-tying score from 2 yards away with 9:12 remaining on fourth-and-goal.

Wade then came up clutch again on UCF’s game-winning drive by streaking wide-open up the seam for a 50-yard completion on the first play of the drive. Jackson ushered the rest of the drive to set up Noe Ruelas’ winning 34-yard field goal with just 57 seconds left.

Wade helped UCF come out the gates hot with an 83-yard catch and run on the first play out of halftime to cut the deficit to 14-7.

Jackson finished his day going 16 for 25 with 271 yards, two TDs and two interceptions.

The UCF defense held the Cowboys to just 27 second-half yards and just one first down as Zane Flores couldn’t operate much for Oklahoma State.

After a promising first half, Flores finished the day 13-of-28 passing for 124 yards, two total TDs and an interception. After the UCF field goal, Flores threw his interception on the very next play.

The Cowboys came out of the gates firing, going 75 yards in a 13-play drive that was capped by a 5-yard pass from Flores to Gavin Freeman a little less than seven minutes into the game.

Oklahoma State kept UCF at bay for the entirety of the first half, forcing two interceptions along with a turnover on downs. The Knights had just 131 total yards in the first half.

Flores ended the half with a 6-yard scamper to extend the lead to 14-0, but was unable to help the Cowboys find much traction for the rest of the day.

–Field Level Media

Lowly UCF, Oklahoma State eager to snap losing streaks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In the past eight weeks, UCF and Oklahoma State have combined for just one win.

This week may be both teams’ last chance for a victory this season when they clash in Orlando on Saturday.

The Cowboys (1-9, 0-7 Big 12) haven’t done much good this season as they fired long-time coach Mike Gundy in September and have yet to beat a FBS squad, dropping nine straight games. Oklahoma State is one of two teams in the bottom six nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense.

Oklahoma State had a promising outing last week against Kansas State, trailing 7-6 entering the fourth quarter. But Zane Flores threw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter when Oklahoma State was at the Kansas State 27, in what became a 14-6 loss.

“You do all the things necessary to get down there and then you turn it over, you’re not going to beat too many teams doing that,” said interim coach Doug Meacham on Monday. ” … But I’m proud on a lot of levels, about a lot of different things, and wish that we could find a way to break through.”

The Knights (4-6, 1-6) continued to struggle offensively in their 48-9 loss at No. 6 Texas Tech Saturday. UCF was held under 300 yards for the third straight game as the defense allowed a third consecutive 400-yard game.

Quarterback Tayven Jackson struggled, passing for just 178 yards, the fifth time in his last six games he’s thrown for fewer than 200.

Backup Davi Belfort saw some game action, but mostly was used as a threat on the ground. He had 36 rushing yards against Houston two weeks ago and had four yards with no passes attempted against the Red Raiders.

Coach Scott Frost alluded that he may give Belfort more opportunities and use him more to mix UCF’s offense up.

“Davi will continue to improve in everything he does as he gets more reps,” Frost said Monday. “It hasn’t been completely fair to him to put him in the situation he’s in without having gotten a lot of reps over the course of this year … but Davi is capable of running our whole offense.”

The Knights beat the Cowboys the last time they matched up, a 45-3 romp in 2023.

–Field Level Media

OK State driven to swipe second win, tame Avery Johnson, K-State

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Oklahoma State limps home for its first game in Stillwater in four weeks, winless in the Big 12 and one of only two power-conference teams with a single FBS victory.

But the Cowboys (1-8, 0-6 Big 12) emerge from a bye week singularly focused on Saturday’s matchup with Kansas State (4-5, 3-3), a team with more than its share of struggles at Boone Pickens Stadium.

“There’s not very many K-State teams that play very well in Stillwater,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said.

In the all-time series, the Cowboys are 24-9 against Kansas State in Stillwater. Klieman is 2-4 vs. Oklahoma State.

Attrition is hitting both sides, impacting preparation and forcing coaches to figure out physical adjustments and creative ways to teach and inspire. Most notably for the Wildcats, preseason All-Big 12 junior middle linebacker Austin Romaine is out for the season with a hand injury.

Kansas State used its backup safeties as running backs during the bye week to get looks at what Oklahoma State might present in terms of formations and reads.

“We’re down more bodies than I’ve ever been down before,” Klieman said of his team’s overall health. “Part of that is our roster number is so small, and we have a bunch of guys hurt. But that’s everybody right now. In the past, you always had those numbers, which we don’t anymore. It’s piecing it together. Practice is different out there right now.”

Kansas State follows Saturday’s game with a trip to Utah. The Wildcats can still qualify for a bowl game with two wins. The regular-season schedule ends with Colorado, the only team above Oklahoma State in the Big 12 standings, coming to Manhattan.

Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson has 16 touchdowns and four interceptions but is coming off a two-interception game in K-State’s 43-20 loss to Texas Tech on Nov. 1. With the Wildcats in comeback mode early, Johnson had a season-high 15 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s a show all too familiar to Oklahoma State. Johnson led a 42-20 beatdown of the Cowboys last September with three touchdown passes and two TD runs.

“The quarterback scares you to death,” Cowboys interim head coach Doug Meacham said of Johnson.

Meacham wants to get Oklahoma State its first win since August.

The 27-7 season opener against FCS UT Martin was followed by a string of brutal losses. The Cowboys have their work cut out for them. Oklahoma State is 126th in total offense at 297.7 yards per game, 130th in scoring offense (15.2 points per game) and 128th in total defense (443.8) and passing defense (274.2). Their 17-point loss at Kansas before the bye week was the closest game the Cowboys have played since Sept. 19, a 19-12 loss to Tulsa.

“You take this week that we just had of and it’s an opportunity for them to reflect back on what’s occurred and re-energize, remember what’s important,” Meacham said. “You know what’s important is these kids right now. We’re adults. We’re fine. We’re going to be fine.”

Meacham gave players four days off between Wednesday practice and the start of the full-bore prep for Kansas State. He offered coaches a chance to get away “a stay-cation type of thing” to recharge while also diving into plans for slowing down the Wildcats.

Freshman Zane Flores was the latest quarterback to get a shot at lifting the Oklahoma State offense. He was efficient (22 of 28) and aggressive, averaging 8.4 yards per completion in the Cowboys’ 38-21 loss at Kansas on Nov. 1.

Igniting the passing attack is vital to any success the Cowboys can achieve the rest of the season. They have six TD passes as a team, led by Flores’ two and Sam Jackson and Noah Walters with one apiece.

Meacham said Hauss Hejny — the No. 1 QB to begin the season, but injured in the first quarter of the opener — has been jogging and throwing in practice but continues to weigh a medical redshirt. Henry also had a TD pass in August.

“It says a lot about him. He’s not going to waste any opportunity he gets,” Meacham said of Hejny. “It’s kind of the way it used to be. And it makes you feel good that they want to be around the team and care about our success.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) runs the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Kansas defeats Oklahoma State behind productive rushing attack

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Daniel Hishaw Jr. rushed for 65 yards and two touchdowns as a stout Kansas rushing attack rolled to a 38-21 Big 12 win against Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan.

Leshon Williams rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown as the Jayhawks held a 232-72 edge in rushing yards.

Jalon Daniels completed 13 of 19 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Boden Groen and Bryson Canty each had a touchdown catch. Laith Marjan drilled a 39-yard field goal for the Jayhawks (5-4, 3-3 Big 12).

After he missed the previous three games with a shoulder injury, Cowboys’ quarterback Zane Flores completed 22 of 28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

Gavin Freeman had seven receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown catch. Terrill Davis contributed 78 receiving yards, and Shamar Rigby had a touchdown catch for the Cowboys (1-8, 0-6)

After being shutout last week, the Cowboys opened the game with a 10 play, 75-yard touchdown drive. In his first action since Oct. 4, Flores found Rigby for a 12-yard touchdown grab and a 7-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, Hishaw bounced off a pair of OSU defenders for a 3-yard touchdown run that put Kansas up 10-7. Jon Jon Kamara blocked Logan Ward’s 19-yard chip shot field goal to send the Jayhawks into the locker room with the lead.

A play-action fake set up Daniels 3-yard touchdown pass to Groen, and Kansas took a 17-7 lead on its first second-half drive. The Jayhawks’ defense forced a three-and-out and Daniels hit Canty with a 5-yard pass in the back of the end zone for a 24-7 lead.

However, the Cowboys answered with a score on their next drive when Freeman turned a short pass into a 10-yard touchdown as OSU pulled within 24-14 with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

Hishaw rumbled in from 3-yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the game, and Kansas opened up a 31-14 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Williams’ 5-yard touchdown put the Jayhawks up 38-14 with 6:04 left to play. Sesi Vailahi scored a late touchdown for the Cowboys on a 2-yard plunge.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) throws a pass against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Kansas has bowl in sight ahead of visit from Oklahoma State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas looks to stay on the path to bowl eligibility when it hosts reeling Oklahoma State in a Big 12 clash on Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.

The Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) made back-to-back bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023 under coach Lance Leipold before being shut out of postseason play last year.

For the fifth-year coach to get the Jayhawks back to a bowl game, they’ll need to shake off the 42-17 home drubbing they endured last week against in-state rival Kansas State.

The Wildcats have won 17 straight games in the Sunflower Showdown and they forced four turnovers and outgained the Jayhawks 371-247 in total yards. Quarterback Jalon Daniels only completed 17 of 35 passes for 129 yards and an interception. Daniel Hishaw Jr. rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown.

“We have a big test to see where we are at as a program right now,” Leipold said. “As a team, our leadership and leadership from myself and others, we have to make sure we keep coaching this group and find solutions and answers.”

Conversely, the Cowboys (1-7, 0-5) are playing out the string under interim coach Doug Meacham.

Oklahoma State has lost seven straight games and was shut out for the first time this season in a 42-0 loss to then-No. 14 Texas Tech last Saturday. The Cowboys played two quarterbacks and neither managed to eclipse 100 yards.

Sam Jackson V threw for 48 yards and Noah Walters went for 39 yards through the air. Trent Howland rushed for 58 yards for Oklahoma State which only managed 182 yards of total offense and nine first downs.

Because players can see action in four games and still maintain redshirt status, Meacham said he expects a youth movement to get underway. He singled out the potential of two freshmen: linebacker Carl’veon Young and receiver Matrail Lopez.

“We’ll have an infusion of some freshmen,” Meacham said. “Some guys that haven’t played will play in the last four games and still garner a redshirt. We’ll get five or six guys out there on special teams that will also help us out offensively and defensively.”

-Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Cameron Dickey (8) stiff arms Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive back Trip White (30) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

No. 14 Texas Tech blanks Oklahoma State in rout

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J’Koby Williams returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown as No. 14 Texas Tech rolled to a 42-0 Big 12 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.

Will Hammond completed 9 of 15 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown before he went down with a reported non-contact knee injury in the second quarter. Backup quarterback Mitch Griffis completed 9 of 13 passes for 172 yards and a passing touchdown and added a rushing score.

Caleb Douglas had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown and Williams caught three passes for 60 yards and a score. Cameron Dickey rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Jacob Rodriguez returned a fumble for a touchdown and Cole Wisniewski forced a fumble that Charles Esters III recovered for Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1 Big 12).

Sam Jackson V hit on 9 of 19 passes for 48 yards for OSU (1-7, 0-5). Trent Howland rushed for 58 yards on 13 carries. Taje McCoy and Ike Esonwune each recovered a fumble for the Cowboys, who lost their seventh straight game.

The Red Raiders held a 370-182 edge in total yards and their defense only allowed nine first downs.

After Braylon McDonald blocked a punt, Williams took a short pass in the flat 26 yards for a touchdown on the Red Raiders’ first play from scrimmage for a 13-0 lead.

Texas Tech went up 21-0 when Dickey scored on a 7-yard run that he followed up with a two-point conversion rush with 1:30 left in the first quarter. Rodriguez forced and recovered a fumble that he returned 69 yards for a touchdown as the hosts took a commanding 28-0 lead 5:30 before halftime.

On 3rd down and 2, Hammond hit Douglas on a fly route for a 42-yard touchdown as Texas Tech pushed its lead to 35-0 with 9:25 left in the third quarter.

Later in the third, Griffis trotted into the end zone on a 1-yard keeper and the Red Raiders went up 42-0.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

No. 14 Texas Tech looking to run over skidding Oklahoma State

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No. 14 Texas Tech will look to bounce back from its first setback of the season when it meets Oklahoma State in Big 12 action Saturday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas.

The Red Raiders (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) want to establish the running game after gaining 109 yards on 27 carries in a 26-22 loss at Arizona State last weekend. Backup quarterback Will Hammond completed 22 of 37 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.

Starting quarterback Behren Morton did not play vs. Arizona State, and Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said the senior signal-caller is day-to-day. Multiple outlets reported Thursday that Hammond will make his second straight start on Saturday.

“We didn’t run the football enough,” McGuire said. “We need to be more effective. I think a little bit, too, was when they started stretching the lead we wanted to create some explosive plays and grab some momentum. It’s something (running the ball) that if we could go back on, we wish we did.”

Because they struggled to run for yards on first down, the Red Raiders repeatedly faced long distances to gain on second and third downs. They were outgained 394-276 in total yards, and the Sun Devils also held a 37:12 to 22:48 advantage in time of possession.

“We have to be a lot better on first down,” McGuire said. “That was one of the big takeaways after watching the film.”

Even as the Cowboys (1-6, 0-4) are still in search of their first Big 12 win in a campaign that saw Mike Gundy fired as head coach on Sept. 23, interim coach Doug Meacham said the team’s spirits remain high.

Then-No. 24 Cincinnati beat Oklahoma State 49-17 last week in Stillwater, Okla., the sixth straight loss for the Cowboys. Sam Jackson V was 11-of-19 passing for 149 yards and an interception, while Rodney Fields Jr. rushed for 163 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown.

“The want to, the energy and the enthusiasm of the players is phenomenal,” Meacham said. “The game plan was a solid game plan. I think, unfortunately, the only thing that truly matters is what’s on the scoreboard. But in terms of everything else, it was a win.”

While Jackson has spent the last two seasons as a receiver, he stepped in under center against Houston on Oct. 11. He entered college as a quarterback before switching to receiver. Meacham said it’s possible Oklahoma State could also use Zane Flores at QB.

“He made some great ‘wow’ plays,” Meacham said about Jackson. “And is really good with his legs. There’s not a whole lot of guys in the country that can do what he’s done. Coming in as a receiver the last two years and moving to quarterback.”

Despite the Cowboys trailing 28-10 at halftime, Meacham said the team stayed positive that it could play its way back into the game.

“There was never a point in the game until the end, maybe, where we didn’t feel like we could pull it off,” he said. “It was fun to see. Every possible way you could gauge a win, we did, except for the points. That’s the next thing we are looking for.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond (15) passes the ball in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Reports: Texas Tech to start QB Will Hammond vs. OK State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Backup quarterback Will Hammond will make his second straight start for No. 14 Texas Tech on Saturday against visiting Oklahoma State, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Behren Morton still is recovering from a knee injury but would be available in an emergency role for the Red Raiders (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) against the Cowboys (1-6, 0-4), according to On3.

Hammond completed 22 of 37 passes for 167 yards with two touchdowns and an interception last Saturday as Texas Tech suffered its first loss of the season, 26-22, to Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz. Hammond also led the team with 47 rushing yards and a score.

The Red Raiders are averaging 517.9 yards of offense per game, third in the nation, but were held to just 276 against the Sun Devils.

Morton originally hurt his knee in the Aug. 30 season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He aggravated the injury in the Oct. 11 win against Kansas.

For the season, Morton has completed 68.4% of his passes for 1,501 yards with 13 TDs and three interceptions in six starts. Hammond is at 63.8% for 578 yards with six scores and three picks in seven games.

–Field Level Media