West Virginia Drops Big 12 Opener to Oklahoma State in Stillwater

Without starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State’s supposed high-tempo, explosive offense was handcuffed mightily. Even so, the Cowboys (2-0, 1-0 Big 12) did just enough to prevail 27-13 over West Virginia (1-1, 0-1) in Stillwater Saturday afternoon.

In the Big 12 opener for both squads, WVU’s offense gained 270 yards in the first half but had just seven points to show for it. It was the self-inflicted wounds that held the Mountaineers back.

Eight first-half penalties for 70 yards was just the beginning of WVU’s woes. After the teams traded punts throughout the first quarter, OSU running back LD Brown opened the scoring with a 64-yard dash through the West Virginia defense.

The Mountaineers looked to respond with a successful drive of their own, but tragedy struck when they started approaching the redzone. OSU defender Trace Ford hit WVU quarterback Jarret Doege on a third and 15 at the Oklahoma State 28 yard line and forced a fumble. The ball bounced right into the hand of Tyren Irby who took it 60-plus yards and gave the Cowboys a 14-0 lead.

On the ensuing WVU drive, the Mountaineers again drove into Cowboys territory, but freshman Graeson Malasevich could not handle the snap on a field goal attempt and West Virginia was again turned away with no points to show for it.

Sophomore receiver Winston Wright scored on a 70-yard catch and run to make the score OSU 20, WVU 7 at halftime.

After half, OSU head coach Mike Gundy seemed to be content to just run the clock down and trust his defense to get stops. The Cowboys ran 23 times in the second half to just six pass attempts. A Chuba Hubbard touchdown with less than two minutes to play made the score 27-13 and secured the win for Oklahoma State.

Doege finished 20-37 for 285 yards and one touchdown. OSU freshman Shane Illingworth completed 15-21 passes for 139 yards and one interception. WVU running back Leddie Brown had 104 yards on 26 carries. For OSU, Brown finished with 103 yards and Hubbard had 101, both with one touchdown.

Receiving, Wright caught four passes for 103 yards and WVU’s lone touchdown and Tylan Wallace had 78 yards on six catches for the Cowboys.

WVU committed 12 penalties for 106 yards. Doege was sacked five times.

It was Oklahoma State’s sixth-straight victory over the Mountaineers.