Amber Aniston • October 18, 2024

BYU Escapes Near Upset by Oklahoma State

In a dramatic showdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium today, BYU narrowly avoided a major upset at the hands of Oklahoma State, securing a thrilling 38-35 victory in the final moments. The Cougars, who remain undefeated this season, found themselves on the brink of their first loss of the year before a last-minute drive saved their season. The win pushes BYU to a 7-0 record, keeping them at the top of the Big 12 standings, but the game revealed vulnerabilities in the Cougars’ defense that could cause concerns as they move deeper into conference play.


Oklahoma State Controls the First Half

From the start, Oklahoma State made it clear that they had come to play, surprising BYU with their aggressive ground game and efficient offensive execution. The Cowboys took control early, using running back Ollie Gordon to expose weaknesses in BYU’s run defense. Gordon was unstoppable, rushing for 153 yards and finding the end zone twice—once on the ground and once on a highlight-reel 17-yard catch where he hurdled a BYU defender. His second-quarter efforts propelled Oklahoma State to a 28-21 halftime lead, sending a shockwave through the home crowd.


The Cowboys’ dominance in the first half wasn’t just a product of their offense; their defense also stepped up, forcing key mistakes by BYU. Jake Retzlaff, BYU’s star quarterback, threw an interception that derailed a promising drive and contributed to Oklahoma State’s momentum. The Cougars’ typically strong offense appeared rattled by Oklahoma State’s aggressive approach, as penalties and miscues plagued their efforts to find a rhythm. Despite a strong start, BYU found themselves trailing at halftime, facing their biggest test of the season.


BYU’s Offensive Struggles and Turnovers

Throughout the game, BYU struggled to regain control. Despite racking up 473 total yards on offense, turnovers and penalties proved costly for the Cougars, giving Oklahoma State multiple opportunities to extend their lead. Retzlaff, who has been reliable for much of the season, seemed off balance under pressure, and his early interception allowed Oklahoma State to maintain the upper hand.


While BYU’s offense moved the ball effectively between the 20s, their inability to capitalize on key moments left them chasing the Cowboys for most of the game. The run game, while effective at times, didn’t have the usual punch, and the offensive line struggled to hold off Oklahoma State’s pass rush. With the Cowboys controlling the pace of the game, BYU’s typically potent offense was forced to play catch-up, which nearly resulted in their first loss of the season.


Oklahoma State Takes Advantage of BYU’s Defensive Issues

Oklahoma State’s success was largely due to BYU’s inability to stop the run. The Cougars’ defensive front, which had been solid throughout the season, was gashed repeatedly by Gordon and the Cowboys’ rushing attack. Oklahoma State amassed 269 rushing yards on the night, a season-high allowed by BYU, and seemed to impose their will on the Cougars’ front seven.


BYU’s defensive issues extended beyond the run defense. Missed tackles and poor coverage in the secondary allowed Oklahoma State to make big plays at crucial moments. While BYU’s defense came up with stops late in the game, their inability to contain Gordon for much of the contest was a major factor in allowing Oklahoma State to stay in control. The Cougars were fortunate that their offense came alive when it did, as their defense had no answer for the Cowboys for much of the game.


BYU's Late-Game Heroics

As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, BYU’s undefeated season was hanging by a thread. Oklahoma State led 35-31 after Gordon punched in a 2-yard touchdown run with just over a minute remaining. With the home crowd holding their breath, BYU needed a miracle drive to avoid a devastating loss.


On the ensuing possession, BYU faced a do-or-die fourth-and-7 with less than 30 seconds left. Retzlaff, despite a shaky performance earlier in the game, delivered a clutch throw to wide receiver Darius Lassiter, keeping the drive alive and igniting hope for the Cougars. The very next play was a defining moment in the game: Retzlaff hit Lassiter again on a 35-yard touchdown pass, sending the stadium into a frenzy as BYU regained the lead 38-35 with just 15 seconds left on the clock.


The defense held strong in the final moments, sealing the victory and preserving BYU’s perfect season. The win was far from easy, but it showed the resilience of the Cougars, who managed to overcome mistakes and find a way to win when it mattered most.


Looking Ahead: Can BYU Stay Undefeated?

Despite the victory, BYU has plenty to work on as they move forward in Big 12 play. Their defense, which had been reliable throughout the season, was exposed tonight, particularly against the run. Allowing 269 rushing yards and failing to tackle effectively will be key areas of focus as the team prepares for its next game against UCF.


The Cougars’ offense, while productive, will need to clean up the turnovers and penalties that nearly cost them the game tonight. Retzlaff’s late-game heroics may have saved the day, but BYU can’t afford to rely on such last-minute drives if they want to continue their run at a College Football Playoff spot. With the first College Football Playoff rankings just around the corner, BYU will need to tighten up its overall game if it hopes to remain in the hunt for a national title.


Oklahoma State’s Tough Loss

For Oklahoma State, this game was a missed opportunity to pull off a signature win and gain momentum heading into the second half of the season. The Cowboys played well enough to win, particularly with their rushing attack, but their inability to close out the game in the final minute proved costly. Oklahoma State now falls to 4-3 on the season but showed plenty of fight against one of the top teams in the country.



While the loss stings, Oklahoma State can take solace in the fact that they gave one of the best teams in the Big 12 all they could handle. If they can replicate this performance, they could still make some noise in conference play as the season progresses.

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