TCU vs Oklahoma State: Full highlights, final score and more

No. 14 Oklahoma State put togther an incredible defensive effort to upset No. 8 TCU

The No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys legitimized their surprising 8-0 start with a dominating 49-29 win over No. 8 TCU on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Many expected a typical Big 12 shootout between two of the most efficient offenses in the nation entering the game. That seemed especially true after it was revealed that Oklahoma State would be without key defensive end  Jimmy Bean for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, but the Cowboys defense would still prove to be the difference-maker on Saturday.

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin looked rattled in his toughest road test of the season, as he started off 2-6 with an interception. Oklahoma State turned that Jordan Burton pick into seven points on a 48 yard pass from Mason Rudolph to James Washington on its ensuing drive, one of his three long touchdown catches on the day.

The deep ball would continue to work for Oklahoma State all game, including on another long strike to Washington on Oklahoma State’s next drive.  The speed of TCU’s Josh Doctson and Shaun Nixon caused problems for the Oklahoma State defense, but the Cowboys would not break and were able to block an extra point and held TCU to a short field goal to lead 14-9 at the end of the first.

While Oklahoma State’s strength defensively is in the trenches, its secondary impressively continued to hold its own with five pass breakups  and an interception in the first half alone. The Cowboys scored on a Jeff Carr touchdown run early in the second after starting with a short field to go up  by 11. After holding TCU on a fourth down deep in their own territory, Rudolph hit on yet another deep ball on an 82-yard touchdown pass to Marcell Ateman and go up 28-9.

TCU was unable to score before the half and got some even worse news when Doctson had to come out of the game due to a wrist injury. With arguably their best player on offense out and a defense that couldn’t stop anything, the Horned Frogs appeared to be in serious trouble.

Boykin continued to uncharacteristically struggle, as Oklahoma State poured it on with a Chad Whitener interception and subsequent J.W. Walsh touchdown run. TCU finally found the end on its next drive, only to be negated by a 74 yard touchdown catch by Washington three plays later. A Tre Flowers interception on TCU’s next drive would all but end it, as Boykin just never found his rhythm until it was too late.

TCU added a touchdown and later drove down to the goal line with a chance to make things interesting with five minutes left, but Oklahoma State kept the Horned Frogs out of the end zone with an impressive stand. A garbage time touchdown would close the gap to 42-29, but a Whitener pick six ensured Oklahoma State closed out a 49-29 victory.

With the win, Oklahoma State has sole possession of first place in the Big 12 at 6-0 and is set to rise up the College Football Playoff rankings. TCU isn’t out of the conference race yet, but its playoff hopes certainly are looking dim.

Three Stars

Chad Whitener, LB, Oklahoma State: Recorded two of Oklahoma State’s four interceptions to lead an excellent defensive effort against one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State: Could not be contained by the TCU secondary, finishing with five catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns.

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State: Executed the deep ball perfectly multiple times, going 16/24 for 352 yards and five touchdowns.

Highlights

Odds

TCU entered as a five point favorite and lost handily outright.

Next Week

Oklahoma State will try to avoid a road upset at Iowa State. TCU should have little trouble regrouping in a home contest against Kansas.