Mistakes Mount As Cowboys Fall To Iowa State

An interception in overtime spelled doom for Oklahoma State, as their dream season ended at the hands of the Iowa State Cyclones 37-31 in a double-overtime thriller. The win makes the Cyclones bowl eligible and marks their first win over a team in the top six in school history.

Oklahoma State held a slim 17-7 lead at the start of the third quarter after struggling in the first half, but seemed to seize the momentum on its opening drive. Brandon Weeden connected with Tracy Moore on a 30-yard touchdown pass to give the Cowboys' a more comfortable 24-7 lead.

However, that's when the offense dried up for OSU and the Cyclones went to work.

The Cyclones looked to be content to chip away at the Cowboys' defense, but James White found a crease in the defense and went 32 yards for a score, closing the deficit to just 10 points. Iowa State caught the Cowboys' off guard on the ensuing kick and attempted the onside kick. The Cyclones came up with the recovery on their own 41-yard line.

ISU quarterback Jared Barnett tried to do it on his own on the next drive and was stripped, with Alex Elkins recovering for Oklahoma State. But OSU gave the ball right back, Joseph Randle was stripped – his second fumble of the game – and the Cyclones recovered on the OSU 26-yard line.

Iowa State could not get the ball in the end zone on the ensuing drive and settled for a 24-yard field goal to close the gap to 24-17 heading into the 4th quarter.

OSU forced a punt on the Cyclones' opening drive of the quarter, but once again gave it right back, this time it was Weeden's second interception of the game, and the Cyclones took over yet again.

The teams traded punts, and Iowa State took over with 9:08 left on the clock and a chance to tie and Barnett took over. The freshman completed seven of his nine completions for 68 yards on the drive, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown strike to tie the game with 5:30 left on the clock.

Oklahoma State went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but Alex Elkins intercepted a tipped pass to take over and a personal foul gave the Cowboys the ball at the 29-yard line with 3:17. The Cowboys couldn't move the ball and settled for a field goal, but Quinn Sharp missed just his second field goal of the year and the Cyclones kneeled it out and took it to overtime.

ISU got the ball to start the extra time and on the first play Barnett found a wide-open James White on a wheel route to score and take a 31-24 advantage in the first overtime.

The Cowboys took over and on third down Weeden connected with Josh Cooper at the back of the end zone for a six-yard score to tie the game and take it to the second overtime. The turnover bug bit Oklahoma State yet again and Ter'Ran Benton intercepted a tipped pass from Weeden to give the Cyclones, able to win the game with just a field goal.

The kicker wasn't needed thanks to running back Jeff Woody, who carried the ball three times for 25 yards and scored to end the game.

Barnett was the star of the game for the Cyclones, finishing the game with 460 total yards and three scores, and receiver Albert Gary came away with 109 yards on seven receptions and a score.

Weeden completed 42 of his 58 pass attempts for 476 yards and three touchdowns, but threw three interceptions in the loss. Cooper led the receivers with 128 yards and a score on 13 receptions, with Justin Blackmon amassing 99 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.

Oklahoma State still has plenty to play for, with a Bedlam game in two weeks that will determine the Big 12 Champion and could put the Cowboys in their first-ever BCS Bowl.