The Oklahoma State Cowboys relied on their defense as they came back to beat the Texas Longhorns in Austin.
For the second time in as many weeks, the Texas Longhorns squandered a halftime lead against a highly ranked team from Oklahoma. After blowing a huge lead against the Oklahoma Sooners a week ago, the Texas Longhorns fell flat in the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys this week.
The Cowboys tailed 17-13 at halftime but were able to get right back into the game thanks to strong efforts from Jaylen Warren (33 carries for 193 yards) and Spencer Sanders (two total touchdowns).
The Longhorns offense peaked about midway in the second quarter and then everything went downhill from there. After Texas claimed a 17-3 lead over Oklahoma State in the second quarter, Texas couldn’t get back to scoring consistently. The Cowboys were able to keep Texas quarterback Casey Thompson off balance as he completed just 15-of-27 pass attempts for 179 yards and one touchdown while also throwing two interceptions.
One of those two picks tossed by Thompson ended up being returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Oklahoma State’s Jason Taylor II.
Prior to this game, Texas’ offense was gaining an average of 480.2 yards per game and scoring 44.5 points per game. However, that wasn’t the case today as Oklahoma State figured out how to slow Steve Sarkisian’s offense and held the Longhorns to 317 total yards of offense and 24 points.
With the win, No. 12 Oklahoma State is now 6-0 while No. 25 Texas falls to 4-3, and will almost certainly drop out of the top 25.
College football world reacts to Oklahoma State snagging road win against Texas
Whenever a highly ranked team beats a high-profile opponent, like this particular contest, people are paying attention. Whenever Texas loses, people are definitely paying very close attention. Oklahoma State’s win was impressive for several reasons. One of which is how the Cowboys are still unbeaten and have won against ranked foes.
Mike Gundy has won five of the past seven games against Texas, if this holds up. This would snap a two-game skid for the Pokes.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 16, 2021
Oklahoma State has defeated Associated Press Top 25 ranked opponents in three consecutive games for 1st time in school history
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 16, 2021
We will likely have to consider an @CowboyFB team ranked in the top 10 for the 8th season in the last 14 years as of next week.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) October 16, 2021
Of course, folks were quick to point out how Texas fell short, yet again.
Final in Austin: No. 12 Oklahoma State 32, Texas 24. Horns with another frustrating, second-half collapse. They’re 4-3 going into the off week having now lost some Big 12 tiebreakers and possibly Overshown.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisUT) October 16, 2021
Oklahoma State remains undefeated. Texas remains incapable of protecting a lead.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 16, 2021
Texas football pic.twitter.com/BghoUzMyI9
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 16, 2021
And the replies to the official Twitter accounts are always fun to read through.
victory formation
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 16, 2021
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 16, 2021
If Oklahoma State and Oklahoma remain undefeated, Bedlam is going to be even crazier than normal this year with a Big 12 and College Football Playoff berth on the line.
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