STILLWATER — Because the soccer sailed over the top of Maealiuaki Smith, the Oklahoma State soccer season was encapsulated in a single wild and painful play.
The results of a excessive shotgun snap, the ball bounced all the way in which again to the tip zone, the place it was recovered by Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez for a landing because the Purple Raiders started to tug away for a 56-48 win Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The Cowboy offense confirmed its most promise since September, however as soon as once more, the season as a substitute delivered a agency kick within the shins — a easy reminder of what 2024 was destined to be for these Cowboys (3-8, 0-8 Massive 12).
This snake-bitten season wasn’t going to provide yet one more BPS victory.
And there’s little motive to consider a win awaits the Pokes at Colorado in Friday’s season finale.
Listed below are 4 extra takeaways from the wild Cowboy dwelling finale:
Extra:Oklahoma State had an essential function within the Fiesta Bowl’s success. Here is what occurred
QB Maealiuaki Smith makes first profession begin
It was a day stuffed with firsts for Smith: First begin, first dashing landing, first passing landing.
Taking up rather than seventh-year senior Alan Bowman, the Cowboy true freshman was sharp in working the offense, and he confirmed poise in irritating conditions.
His closing cross try of the day was intercepted when OSU was attempting to go 65 yards in 13 seconds for a possible game-tying drive. However in any other case, Smith introduced pleasure to the offense.
He accomplished 26 of 36 passes for 326 yards with two touchdowns and the late interception. He additionally rushed for a landing within the third quarter, the primary official factors of his faculty profession.
Smith wasn’t the one freshman to realize a profession first.
Rodney Fields Jr., the working again from Del Metropolis, broke unfastened for a 19-yard landing run, the primary TD of his profession.
Extra:How did Maealiuaki Smith look in first Oklahoma State soccer begin? ‘It was his offense’
Texas Tech offense rolls over Pokes
The OSU protection gave up straightforward touchdowns on Tech’s first two possessions, however put a number of stops collectively to provide the Cowboy offense an opportunity to tie the sport at 14 within the second quarter.
However the Purple Raiders discovered little opposition within the second half, scoring touchdowns on 4 of its six possessions.
Whereas it was working again Tahj Brooks who appeared like the larger risk due to OSU’s struggles towards good working backs, it was quarterback Behren Morton who did probably the most harm.
Brooks didn’t surpass the 100-yard mark till a fourth-quarter run that gave Tech a 49-42 lead.
However Morton was sharp from the start. He accomplished 37 of 53 passes for 404 yards (a profession excessive) and 4 touchdowns.
But it was his 11-yard rush on third-and-11 with slightly below two minutes to go that nearly sealed the sport.
Brooks completed with 133 yards and three touchdowns on 28 dashing makes an attempt, plus a team-high 9 receptions for 65 yards and a landing.
Texas Tech was 14 of twenty-two on third-down conversions, which was maybe a very powerful stat in spelling OSU’s doom.
Extra:Walterscheid household nearing finish of 11-year run following sons with Oklahoma State soccer
Dalton Cooper returns, Rucker, Clay exit
OSU’s damage record received a bit shorter in the course of the off week with the return of beginning left sort out Dalton Cooper in time to play in his closing recreation at BPS.
Cooper, who grew up about an hour south of Stillwater, had missed a number of video games since struggling a foot damage.
Tremendous-senior security Trey Rucker began, however left early as he continues to cope with a leg damage. He was changed by former walk-on Parker Robertson, who received his second interception of the season.
One other super-senior, defensive sort out Collin Clay, was helped to the locker room after struggling an damage late within the recreation.
Extra:Which Oklahoma State soccer seniors are out of eligibility or can return subsequent season?
Trio of juniors participate in Senior Day
Three notable Oklahoma State juniors have been on the sphere with their households in the course of the Senior Day pregame recognition.
Operating again Ollie Gordon II, linebacker Nick Martin and receiver De’Zhaun Stribling all took half within the Senior Day occasions.
As anticipated, senior defensive finish Collin Oliver took half as properly. Oliver, who has a 12 months of eligibility remaining, has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, which appeared to sign the tip of his OSU profession.
All 4 gamers are among the many almost certainly Cowboys to be drafted subsequent spring.
In a enjoyable Senior Day second, Texas Tech beginning heart Sheridan Wilson got here out of the locker room to affix his brother, OSU beginning proper guard Preston Wilson and their household for Preston’s recognition.
The Cowboys acknowledged 20 gamers who will exhaust their eligibility after the season, and honored 15 extra seniors or graduating juniors who’ve eligibility remaining.
Extra:Mike Gundy plans to be Oklahoma State soccer coach in 2025. Can he repair Cowboys’ mess?
OSU at Colorado
KICKOFF: 11 a.m. Friday at Folsom Area in Boulder, Colo. (ABC)