The Oklahoma State Cowboys lost their Big 12 Conference opener Saturday to Baylor 45-27. Let’s look at four plays that helped determine the result.
- First Quarter, 13:33 remaining, Baylor Ball, 1st and 10. RESULT: FIRST DOWN. This was Baylor’s first play from scrimmage. Sawyer Robertson found Kole Wilson for the first of two long completions of the first drive. It was a drive that featured only three plays before Robertson found an open Wilson for a touchdown. This signaled more of the same from a beleaguered defense.
- First Quarter, 12:26 remaining, Oklahoma State Ball, 1st and 10. RESULT: FIVE-YARD GAIN. This was the first demonstration of the willingness to use a player that has dual threat capabilities. When a team is out-talented in most the games they play, they need to find ways to use the things that set them apart to their advantage. Sam Jackson V is one of those. The former quarterback with tremendous speed threw his first of four passes on this play. One eventually went for a touchdown. Dave Aranda admitted after the game they were unprepared for this. Even if the dual-threat is written on the white board before the game, defenses still have to honor it, prepare for it, and stay disciplined on the play itself.
- First Quarter, 1:49 remaining, Oklahoma State Ball, 4th and 4. RESULT: TURNOVER ON DOWNS. The conclusion of this play wasn’t the desired result, but the decision produced a lively result from Oklahoma State fans and Doug Meacham showed a willingness to go for it on fourth down. This “what do we have to lose” approach will bite the Cowboys at times, but might pay off in some exciting plays or keeping OSU competitive for longer.
- Second Quarter, 3:40 remaining, Baylor Ball, 1st and Goal. RESULT: TOUCHDOWN. This pass from Robertson to a wide open Michael Trigg was the second consecutive pass of this nature on consecutive drive cappers. Robertson approached the line of scrimmage and then popped the ball over the middle, and even though the Cowboy’s defense was near the goal line, no one was within several yards of the receiver. This is despite the Cowboys having 12 men on the field on one of the plays. These two egregious miscues helped seal the fate of Todd Grantham, who was fired hours later.
The Cowboys travel to Arizona Saturday afternoon.
