Oklahoma State Football: Reactions from Cowboys Bedlam loss
The initial reactions from Oklahoma State’s Bedlam and Big 12 title game loss to the Oklahoma Sooners yesterday by the score of 38-20.
At one point it looked like the Oklahoma State Cowboys were in the driver’s seat, carrying nearly all the momentum in Bedlam today. With a little more than one minute left in the second quarter, the Cowboys looked like they would be able to take a 17-10 lead into halftime. However, the Oklahoma Sooners rattle off 21 straight points to effectively seal the game.
This was the Pokes chance to claim their first Big 12 title since 2011. That would have also put them in their second straight Sugar Bowl. Yet, they came up short in what will most likely result in an Alamo Bowl appearance. There is a good possibility the Pokes will meet former Big 12 rival Colorado in their bowl game.
It had a to be a considered a disappointing finish to the regular season for Pokes fans. They will finish the regular season at 9-3 (7-2 Big 12). That is the second consecutive season that the Cowboys go 7-2 in conference play. Now let’s take a look at the biggest takeaways and reactions from Oklahoma State’s loss to Oklahoma in Bedlam.
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Mason Rudolph still struggles on the road
It was a rough day for OK State quarterback Mason Rudolph. He threw for 186 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Furthermore, it was only the second game that Rudolph did not have a passing touchdown this season. Yet, he did have a rushing touchdown.
Rudolph had difficulties for most of the season playing on the road. Aside from a five-touchdown performance against the Kansas State Wildcats, Rudolph only threw two touchdowns on the road.
Knowing what Rudolph did in Stillwater compared to his games away from Stillwater, it’s hard to think his NFL Draft stock will not be affected. He had the potential of being a first or second-round pick, which could still happen. Yet, he probably has dropped out of that position.
Mike Gundy made some questionable decisions
Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy put together an impressive season. But he made some decisions yesterday that left Pokes fans scratching their heads. The first questionable decision was right before halftime.
The first questionable decision was right before halftime. Running back Barry J. Sanders returned a kick close to midfield. With the game tied at 17, you would think that Gundy would at least try for some points. There were still 18 seconds left on the clock. However, the Pokes only ran one play and did not try to get any points.
The other questionable decision came in the fourth quarter. With about 10 minutes remaining down 11 points, Gundy put the game with kicker Ben Grogan. This was an opportunity for the Pokes to get back within four points if they could have gotten into the end zone. Instead, Gundy went conservative with the field goal attempt.
The result of going for that field goal was a miss. On the next play, OU running back Joe Mixon ran for a 79-yard touchdown to effectively seal the game.
OK State is firmly the second best team in the Big 12
If yesterday proved anything it’s that Oklahoma State established itself as the second-best team in the Big 12. They lost to Oklahoma by a smaller margin than the third place team in West Virginia. They also beat West Virginia earlier in the season.
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Furthermore, this is the second consecutive season that Oklahoma and Oklahoma State finished at the top of the Big 12. It is an impressive level of consistency coming from the Pokes.