Still Waters Run Deep

#50 Purdue – 27
#15 Oklahoma State – 30

STILLWATER, Okla. -- What had all the making of a rout turned into quite a nailbiter for Cowboy fans as Oklahoma State held off a furious second half Purdue rally, and was able to recover an onside kick, twice, in the waning moments to preserve a 30-27 victory.

Things did not look good early for the Boilermakers, who opened the game by promptly losing 17 yards and going 3-and-out. OSU needed only two plays of their own to get on the board as Kendall Hunter ripped off a 32-yard run and Zach Robinson connected with Dez Bryant for a 33-yard touchdown strike.

That sequence repeated itself as Purdue again went 3-and-out on their next possession. This time Hunter took an option pitch for 13, before Robinson found Bryant in the clear for a 43-yard touchdown off a nifty play-action fake. After a Purdue fumble, the Cowboys posted their third touchdown a minute into the 2nd quarter as Kendall Hunter polished off his own personal three-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass.

Purdue's offense finally showed some signs of life, moving the ball to the OSU 12 yard line. The drive stalled however, as the Boilers were unable to convert a 4th and 12 and gave the ball over on downs with 1:10 remaining before halftime. That's when head coach Red Gundy began to make some curious playcalls which, coupled with some questionable execution led to a safety. Facing 3rd and 5 at the 17, Robinson retreated all the way to his own endzone on a screen pass and was taken down to get Purdue on the board.

After the free kick quarterback Antown Higgs wasted little time stealing some more of the momentum, hooking up with HB Jaycen Taylor for a 58 yard touchdown. Purdue elected to go for 2, but linebacker Justin Gent stepped in front of Higgs pass on took it 100 yards the other way to extend the Cowboys lead to 15.

The teams traded scores in the 3rd quarter, and Purdue pulled to within 10 making it 30-20 in the 4th quarter. The Cowboys looked to be in position to salt it away with under two minutes remaining and a 1st and goal at the 1, but Robinson put the ball on the turf as he collided with Hunter on a handoff attempt. Higgs took advantage, continuing his impressive aerial attack with two deep balls on a seemingly effortless 98-yard drive (if you can call it that).

Oklahoma State initially recovered the ensuing onside kick, only to see it torn free, but Kendall Hunter was able to atone for his earlier mistake by coming up with the loose ball.

While showing some early firepower, OSU was outgained 309-251, and allowed 323 yards through the air. The Cowboys also fumbled the ball 5 times, losing 2, and were intercepted once. After the game, Gundy was upset with his team's sloppiness and lack of focus, but had some 'other' things he wanted to get off of his mind too:

The win sets up a second round matchup between two of TNS' most potent offenses, as #15 Oklahoma State moves on to play host to #18 LSU. The two teams scored a combined 54 points in their opening games.

Stats:

Oklahoma State

QB Zach Robinson – 7/12, 139 yards, INT

HB Kendall Hunter – 12 carries, 145 yards, TD, 2 receptions, 13 yards, TD

WR Dez Bryant – 5 receptions, 126 yds, 2 TDs

LB Justin Gent – 100-yard conversion INT

Purdue

QB Antown Higgs – 11/20, 323 yards, 4 TDs