Oklahoma State’s 2025 season continues to spiral as the Cowboys suffered yet another lopsided loss, this time a 49–17 drubbing at the hands of the Cincinnati Bearcats and on homecoming, no less. The final score marks the second straight blowout loss at Boone Pickens Stadium, deepening the wounds of a season that’s quickly gone off the rails. Cincinnati is now bowl eligible for the first time since joining the Big 12.
And while the scoreboard shows a runaway, the game wasn’t always so out of hand. OSU clawed its way to within 11 points by the end of the third quarter, trailing just 28–17 and showing brief signs of life. But what followed in the fourth quarter was complete domination by Cincinnati, as the Bearcats outscored the Cowboys 21–0 in the final frame to shut the door emphatically.
Same Story, Different Week
This loss felt all too familiar for Oklahoma State fans. Once again, the Cowboys struggled to find balance on offense, showed no consistency in the passing game, and couldn’t slow down even a modest opposing attack on defense.
Quarterback Sam Jackson, in his second start, was efficient but hesitant, rarely pushing the ball downfield. He avoided turnovers and sacks, but also failed to generate explosive plays. Despite taking zero sacks, Jackson finished with negative rushing yards which is a shocking stat for a quarterback known for his dual-threat abilities. Cincinnati clearly keyed in on his mobility and contained him from the opening whistle.
The lone bright spot on offense was freshman running back Rodney Fields, who continues to prove himself as a cornerstone for the future. Fields carried the ball for nearly 150 yards and a touchdown, displaying patience, burst, and toughness as he handled the bulk of the backfield duties.
Still, one strong performance from a young back wasn’t nearly enough to overcome another stagnant offensive showing.
A Defense With No Answers
Defensively, the Cowboys were once again overwhelmed. Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby shredded OSU’s secondary, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing. He added a rushing touchdown as well, accounting for four total scores on the night. The Cowboys managed just one sack and very little consistent pressure, giving Sorsby all the time he needed to pick the defense apart.
The Bearcats rushed for over 150 yards as a team and finished with more than 400 total yards of offense. It was another week where Oklahoma State’s defense failed to force a single turnover or make a meaningful impact on the flow of the game. The pass coverage continues to be a major liability, and tackling issues remain unaddressed.
A Long Season Ahead
At this point, the Cowboys are not just losing — they’re failing to compete. The team shows minimal signs of improvement week-to-week, and there’s little to suggest a turnaround is on the horizon. With each game looking more like a repeat of the last, the conversations surrounding the coaching staff and program direction are only growing louder.
Oklahoma State now stares down the very real possibility of finishing the season with just one win, a result that would’ve seemed unthinkable just a couple of years ago when the team was competing for Big 12 titles.
Instead, the 2025 Cowboys are quickly becoming the story of a program that’s lost its identity and desperately needs to find it again.