Oklahoma State football grades vs. UCF as Cowboys squander shot to end Big 12 losing skid
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Oklahoma State’s losing streak was oh so close to ending.
The Cowboys squandered a two-touchdown lead in the second half of a 17-14 loss to UCF at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida, on Saturay night.
OSU fell to 1-10 overall and 0-8 in Big 12 play. The Pokes have lost 10 straight games.
Let’s get to the grades.
OSU’s first-half offense: B+
The Cowboys scored on their opening drive with a masterful game plan. They scored again with 50 seconds left in the half.
They even had a drive end on downs that was solid.
And they punted just twice.
OSU put up 201 total yards in the half, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and had 11 first downs, including six through the air.
That’s arguably the most entertaining offensive half in months. And the 14-0 lead at halftime gave every Pokes fan hope.
OSU’s second-half offense: F
But the hope was fleeting.
OSU’s offense was stuck in the mud in the second half.
Nothing worked. The energy from the first half didn’t really seem to carry over.
The result?
Twenty-seven total yards. That’s right — 27!
Nineteen came through the air. OSU was 0 for 5 on third down. The Cowboys ran just 18 plays after 40 in the opening half.
It put too much pressure on OSU’s defense to be perfect to protect the two-touchdown lead.
Parker Robertson: A
Former OSU running back Jaden Nixon never saw the white, orange and black No. 8 jersey coming his way like a missile.
Parker Robertson delivered a bone-crushing hit to Nixon, his former teammate, as the football was handed off.
The hit jarred the football loose. Nixon recovered.
But it was the highlight of another big day from Robertson.
The veteran safety led OSU with eight tackles — five solo — and a pass breakup. He had three tackles for a loss along with the forced fumble.
Robertson also later stopped Nixon for a loss on a crucial second-down play with 1:49 left.
OSU pass coverage: C
The Cowboys picked off Tayven Jackson twice in the first half.
Cam Smith and LaDainian Fields each snagged a pass. At one point, there was even an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on three players at once for celebrating one of the interceptions too much.
And to that I say: Who cares? OSU deserves a little grace considering the season.
OSU held UCF to 74 yards through the air in the opening half, a result of the excellent coverage and strong pass rush.
Then the Knights found a way through the air.
Jackson threw for a 197 in the second half, including an 83-yard score to Dylan Wade on the first play of the third quarter.
And when OSU’s secondary needed to come up with a big play, it couldn’t late.
A 50-yard reception by Wade on the decisive drive in the fourth proved backbreaking.
New OSU helmets: A+
A new matte black helmet with white trim and the white OSU logo? Sign me up.
It was very clean. Very impressive, even on TV.
On a tough day for the Cowboys, this was a huge bright spot.
Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU football grades vs. UCF as Cowboys blow shot to end losing skid
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