Earlier this week, West Virginia head coach Neal Brown warned about Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon.
On Saturday with under five minutes to play, West Virginia trailed by seven, and had a fourth down. Quarterback Garrett Greene rolled left to the short side of the field and was stopped in the backfield.
On the next play, Gordon effectively ended the game, sprinting on a 46-yard touchdown rush, as Oklahoma State went on to win 48-24.
Gordon’s career-high 282 yards along with four touchdowns, while three WVU turnovers led to 17 Oklahoma State points, send West Virginia to their second consecutive loss.
West Virginia’s offense had about as poor of a start to the first quarter they could have.
The Mountaineers went three and out to start the game and would get the ball back after a muffed punt. With the ball inside Oklahoma State territory, Kole Taylor would have the ball punched out just two plays later, bouncing into Kendal Daniels’ hands.
The Cowboys went down the field, aided by a 32-yard rush from Ollie Gordon, settling for a field goal. On WVU’s next drive, Greene couldn’t push the ball far enough to the sideline, as Korie Black intercepted the pass and returned it to the West Virginia 39.
This time, the Cowboys would take full advantage, as Gordon ran for a 2-yard touchdown, giving Oklahoma State a 10-0 lead with 7:19 to play in the first quarter.
The West Virginia offense faced a third and eight from just outside the red zone. Greene passed to Preston Fox who fell catching the throw from Greene, hanging on at the three. Greene would give it to Justin Johnson for a 3-yard score, putting WVU on the board.
After a three and out from the Mountaineer defense, Greene used his own legs this time on a 23-yard rush. Green ran for another seven yards, before Michael Hayes booted a 34-yard field goal through tying the game 10-10.
The Cowboys responded with a field goal of their own from Alex Hale from 29 yards out. Bowman had pass plays of 12, 14, and 29 yards, but the Mountaineer defense held strong inside the 10.
West Virginia came back with a score of their own, as Greene found Devin Carter on a 45-yard touchdown as he was able to get behind the Cowboys secondary. Greene connected with him and WVU went in front 17-13.
That’s the score that would hold until halftime with Hale missing a 31-yard kick with 13 seconds left in the first half.
In the third quarter, West Virginia’s offense reverted to how they played in the first. WVU had back-to-back three and outs sandwiched outside of an Anthony Wilson interception.
The second three and out from the Mountaineer offense set up the Cowboys in great field position, just two yards shy of the 50. Gordon ran for 27 yards on the first play, before Bowman found Rashod Owens for 12 yards. Bowman then connected with Jaden Bray for a 5-yard score, as the Cowboys retook the lead 20-17.
Greene and the offense got the ensuing drive started with a defensive pass interference penalty, setting WVU up at their own 40. Seven plays later, Greene found a streaking EJ Horton for a 32-yard touchdown, as WVU went in front 24-20.
West Virginia’s defense would get the stop they needed to try and put Oklahoma State in serious trouble. Oklahoma State would push Andrew Wilson-Lamp into Preston Fox, muffing the punt and the Cowboys took over at the WVU 27 yard line.
Gordon would rush for a 16-yard touchdown, breaking the tie and giving the Cowboys a 27-24 lead. West Virginia came back with another field goal, stalling inside the Oklahoma State 10 yard line.
The Cowboys would take advantage of 30 yards of penalties from the Mountaineer defense on one play. Bowman then found Brennan Presley for a 29-yard touchdown as he broke two tackles on his way to the end zone.
West Virginia’s offense then got stopped on fourth down, before Gordon rushed for a 46-yard score.
The Mountaineers tried to stay in it late, with Greene finding Fox for 34 yards. CJ Donaldson scored a 3-yard touchdown, as WVU trailed by seven.
The Mountaineers would attempt an onside kick. It was unsuccessful, but it didn’t matter that WVU still had all their timeouts. Oklahoma State handed it to Gordon who ran for another score, this time for 53 yards.
Greene finished the day rushing for 117 yards, and throwing for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Bowman finished with 210 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Johnson led WVU on the ground outside of Greene with 14 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Donaldson had 39 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown.
