Cowboys defense puts in masterclass

Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) beat Baylor Bears 24-14 to win the battle between two undefeated teams in the Big 12 division.

The Cowboys defense were instrumental as they dominated the Bears to win their fifth successive match this season.

Consistently dominant. #LetsRide I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/EAqEAvoUbZ

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 3, 2021

Baylor’s first eight possessions yielded only four first downs and all ended in punts. Spencer Sanders, the OSU quarterback (QB), even put added pressure on his own defense.

Sanders threw three interceptions with two of them being in the OSU end of the field. All three times, the Baylor offense went three plays and punt.

The two times Baylor got the ball in OSU territory, they lost yards and were pushed out of field goal range.

The match

The Cowboys started off the game with a 75 yard scoring drive capped off by a Jaylen Warren eight yard touchdown (TD) run.

QB Spencer Sanders had a rough day but he was bailed out by the stellar play of running back (RB), Jaylen Warren (36 carries,125 yards, 2 TD) and 6’3” wide receiver (WR) Tay Martin (six catches, 110 yards).

Sanders had some good to go along with the bad though as he made some strong runs to keep drives alive (ended the game with 75 yards rushing).

He also made a great pass to Rashod Owens just before halftime, threading the needle between two defenders for a fantastic 32 yard TD.

That made the score Oklahoma State 14-0 Baylor at half-time.

Late in the third quarter, the Bears found a little spark offensively. RB Abram Smith scored a touchdown to make it 14-7 and we suddenly had a game.

OSU managed a field goal on the next possession to make it 17-7 but Baylor struck again with another TD to make it 17-14.

The last three Baylor possessions ended in a punt and two failed fourth down conversion attempts, as the Cowboy defense regained control of the game.

Jaylen Warren was able to score one more TD with 2:04 left in the game, giving the Cowboys a well-deserved 24-14 victory.

Nail, meet coffin.#LetsRide I @Nunless2 pic.twitter.com/pzB9UjvKpy

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 3, 2021

What does it mean?

Up next for Oklahoma St (5-0) is a trip to the #21 ranked Texas Longhorns (4-1) The Texas offense is averaging 40 points and 470 yards per game so it will be a stiff test but the Oklahoma St defense looks like they could be up to the challenge.

Baylor (4-1) will be at home where they will face West Virginia (2-3).