The Tulsa Golden Hurricane defeated Oklahoma State 19-12 Saturday. It was a rare win for the school against the Cowboys. Let’s take a look at four plays that were important in the game and perhaps the season for OSU.
- Tulsa Ball, 11:42 remaining 1st quarter, 2nd and 7. RESULT: FIRST DOWN.
We’re two plays into the game. A feasible thought is, “Oregon’s athletes are so much better than Tulsa’s, surely there’s no way OSU’s defense appears to be as clueless against motion, intermediate or long routes.” It took one play to disprove that, as Brody Foley was wide open from his H-Back spot for a 42-yard gain. Parker Robertson admitted after the game his eyes got the best of him as he looked at the motion receiver for a moment too long, allowing Foley to get clear of the defense by several yards. Parker actually had a good effort during the game, recording a team-high in tackles and saving two plays that seemed destined to pick up twenty-plus yards.
2. Tulsa Ball, 6:01 remaining in the 1st quarter, 4th and 3. RESULT: FIRST DOWN
This play demonstrated that Tulsa would be assertive in this game, facing 4th and 3 from the Oklahoma State 36 yard line. Baylor Hayes ran for an easy seven yards to keep the drive alive. Tulsa was perfect on 4th down during the game, executing all three times they went for it. This gamble resulted in taking more time off the clock, and eventually a field goal.
3. Tulsa Ball, 14:00 remaning in the 4th quarter, 1st and 10. RESULT: FIRST DOWN
This had to be a satisfying run for former Cowboy Dominic Richardson who ran for 39 yards on this play, helping him achieve what will most likely be his best game of this season.
4. Oklahoma State Ball, :02 remaining in the 4th quarter, 3rd and 10. RESULT: FIRST DOWN
The final play of the game was a short throw to Christian Fitzpatrick who then pitched to Gavin Freeman. Gavin came up a few yards shy of the end zone, and Tulsa secured the win. When you watch a boxing match, and there’s a knockout, a referee stoppage or the corner throws in the towel, it feels like there is a pivotal punch that seals the loser’s fate. Then the replay is shown and we can see when the downfall began, then what truly turned out the lights, and forced the referee or the trainer’s hand to stop the fight. I don’t know exactly what or when that first punch was for the end of Coach Gundy’s tenure on the sidelines in Stillwater, but I know this was the last one. Now we wait for who stops the fight.
