No. 17 Oklahoma State Beats South Dakota State

© William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0) handled business against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (0-1) by a score of 44-20 on Aug. 31 in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State played spoiler for the Jackrabbits, as this loss ended their 29-game winning streak. The Cowboys are one of the favorites in the Big 12 Conference and the Jackrabbits are the defending FCS champions. The Cowboys had an impressive outing, with quarterback Alan Bowman and start running back Ollie Gordon II leading the way.

For the Jackrabbits, QB Mark Gronowski and wide receiver Griffin Wilde had admirable games, putting up a fight against the Cowboys. The Cowboys controlled the game from start to finish, never feeling a real threat from the Jackrabbits. However, the Jackrabbits were no pushover, playing a respectable game on the road.

Game Summary

It was the Cowboys who struck first after forcing the Jackrabbits to punt. Bowman and Gordon got the Cowboys into field goal range, and kicker Logan Ward knocked in the 44-yarder. Jackrabbits QB Gronowski threw an interception to Korie Black, giving the Cowboys the ball in Jackrabbits territory. Marching to the red zone, Bowman threw a 6-yard pass to Brennan Presley for the Cowboys' first touchdown. Gronowski responded, setting the Jackrabbits up for a field goal attempt. Hunter Dustman put three points on the board early in the second quarter.

When the Cowboys got the ball back, Gordon was the man. The star RB helped get them into the red zone and finished the drive with his first rushing touchdown of the season. The Jackrabbits were once again unable to put the ball in the end zone, as Dustman scored another field goal. To end the half, neither team could score the ball, leaving the score 17-6 as the Cowboys lead.

The Cowboys kept it rolling in the second half, with Bowman connecting with Gordon for each of their second touchdowns. The Jackrabbits grew tired of field goals, as Gronowski led the team downfield and capped the drive off with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Grahm Goering. Oklahoma State responded with two touchdowns of their own, widening the gap. The first touchdown came when Bowman linked up with Rashod Owens for a 58-yard bomb. The second came from another Gordon rush, as the star continues to show why he is one of the most talked about RBs in the nation.

In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys scored a field goal with Ward once again. Gronowski and the Jackrabbits didn't give up there, as the QB launched a 60-yard pass to Wilde for a touchdown. At the end of the fourth, the Cowboys kicked another field goal, as the Cowboys beat the Jackrabbits 44-20. Bowman finished the game with 267 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gordon dazzled with 104 yards rushing, 42 yards receiving, 2 rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Gronowski ended with 264 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Wilde tallied 150 yards with 7 receptions and a touchdown

The Turning Point

The point in the game was in the third quarter, when Bowman unleashed a shot downfield to Owens for a 58-yard touchdown. Before this play, the Jackrabbits were hanging around as the score was 24-13. After Bowman and Owens put the Cowboys up 30-13, the Cowboys went full steam ahead. Gordon scored shortly after, and the game was out of reach for the Jackrabbits.

What It Means

For Oklahoma State, it means getting the job done. Bowman and Gordon looked phenomenal, and the team looks ready for the expectations placed on them in the Big 12. The Jackrabbits are no joke, as they are regarded as the best team in the FCS, winning the last two national championships. Starting the year off 1-0 with a win like this puts the Cowboys in prime condition for the rest of the season. The Cowboys have a major challenge in Week 2 against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

For the Jackrabbits, this game doesn't hurt their chances for three-peating in the FCS. They put up a decent performance with all things considered, and there were enough bright spots to keep fans excited. The Jackrabbits are currently ranked No. 1 in the Stats Perfrom FCS Top 25, and will likely dominate through FCS play. They showed the world what they could do and put up points on a Power Four defense. In Week 2, South Dakota State will celebrate its national title as they host the Incarnate Word Cardinals.