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Oklahoma State football: Defense leads the way to victory vs. Baylor

By John Scimeca

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 28: An Oklahoma State Cowboys helmet sits on the sideline before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 28: An Oklahoma State Cowboys helmet sits on the sideline before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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A run-based offense and a stifling defense have led Oklahoma State football to a 5-0 record in 2021. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
A run-based offense and a stifling defense have led Oklahoma State football to a 5-0 record in 2021. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

OSU defense continues its 2021 starring role

The defense’s starring role doesn’t diminish what the OSU offense did. Wide receiver Tay Martin continued to shine with six catches for 110 yards, showing that he’s a big-play threat that the Cowboys sorely need. Warren rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns, further validating his bell cow status in the OSU backfield this year.

And Sanders, despite the turnovers, made enough plays to win from behind the center. He was willing to put his body on the line, rushing 12 times for 76 yards — including a frantic dash late in the game on a 3rd and 12 that could have easily been a first down. This play set up the fourth-down conversion for a touchdown that put OSU up by the game’s final margin, 24-14.

The defensively dominating victory against Baylor is an important one for the Cowboys’ psyche. Before Saturday night, the Bears had beaten the Cowboys twice in a row and in five of the teams’ previous six meetings. Baylor has looked significantly improved from last year’s 2-7 mark under second-year coach Dave Aranda, including a Week 4 31-29 win against Iowa State.

But the Bears couldn’t move the ball against OSU. The Cowboys forced nine Baylor punts and were able to control possession while on offense. Baylor finished with just 280 yards of total offense.

Budding stars like Edmond Santa Fe product Collin Oliver stepped up big for the Cowboys defense, too. The freshman had two sacks against the Bears, including a crucial one late in the game.

Linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez (11 tackles) and Devin Harper (seven tackles) led the Cowboys to win in a familiar fashion in 2021, bottling up the Bears all night and getting several stops in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

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Next up, OSU will have a bye in Week 6 before taking on Texas on Oct. 16. The Longhorns are coming off two consecutive Big 12 victories, the first in which they scored 70 points against Texas Tech and the second in which they grabbed a key road win against TCU.

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