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Five Takeaways From Oklahoma State's Homecoming Victory Over Colorado
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- Five Takeaways From Oklahoma State's Homecoming Victory Over Colorado
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State delivered a memorable performance during America's Greatest Homecoming, defeating Colorado 57-24 Saturday night at Boone Pickens Stadium. But the final score doesn't tell the entire story.
The Cowboys trailed 24-23 at halftime before scoring 34 unanswered points in the second half, improving to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play. The victory also helped Oklahoma State return to the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 24.
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From another slow start to an impressive defensive turnaround, here are five takeaways from the Cowboys' victory.
1. Another Slow Start, but This Time Oklahoma State Overcame It
One of Oklahoma State's recurring issues this season has been its inability to put together complete performances from the opening kickoff.
That trend continued against Colorado. Despite entering Saturday as a significant favorite, the Cowboys found themselves trailing 24-23 at halftime against a Buffaloes team still searching for its first Big 12 victory.
The first-half performance was particularly concerning after head coach Eric Morris emphasized the importance of eliminating slow starts following Oklahoma State's 35-32 loss at Houston.
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Against the Cougars, the Cowboys were unable to overcome their early struggles. This time, however, Oklahoma State responded.
The Cowboys outscored Colorado 34-0 in the second half, turning a one-point deficit into a convincing 33-point victory. That response demonstrated the team's ability to make adjustments and regain control of a game.
However, the Cowboys cannot continue relying on dominant second halves to overcome inconsistent starts, particularly with more challenging Big 12 matchups ahead.
2. Turnovers and Improved Communication Sparked the Defense
Oklahoma State's defensive turnaround was one of the biggest developments of Saturday's victory. After allowing 24 points in the first half, the Cowboys shut out Colorado over the final two quarters.
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The momentum shifted almost immediately after halftime. On Colorado's opening offensive play of the third quarter, quarterback Isaac Wilson lost a fumble that Oklahoma State safety Quinton Hammonds recovered. Two plays later, Drew Mestemaker connected with tight end Morgan McPhaul for a three-yard touchdown, putting Oklahoma State back in front. It was the kind of game-changing defensive play the Cowboys needed.
Oklahoma State's defense also generated additional takeaways in the second half, helping the offense build a comfortable lead. But the improvement wasn't simply about forcing turnovers.
Cowboys defenders pointed to better communication after halftime as a major reason for their improved execution. That allowed Oklahoma State to play more cohesively, limit explosive opportunities and prevent Colorado from finding the same offensive rhythm it enjoyed earlier in the game.
The Buffaloes managed only 120 yards of total offense after halftime. For a defense that has struggled with consistency, the second-half performance offered an encouraging example of what improved communication and timely takeaways can accomplish.
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3. Oklahoma State's Secondary Remains a Concern
Despite the second-half shutout, Oklahoma State still has questions to answer in its secondary. Colorado entered Saturday averaging approximately 19 points per game, yet the Buffaloes scored 24 points in the first half alone.
The Cowboys also surrendered 222 first-half passing yards to a Colorado offense that had been averaging roughly 250 passing yards per game. Those numbers highlight the defensive issues that have continued to surface throughout the season.
Oklahoma State was already dealing with the absence of veteran safety Mose Phillips III, who missed his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury suffered against UCF. Without Phillips, the Cowboys have been forced to adjust their secondary rotation while facing Big 12 passing attacks capable of exploiting coverage breakdowns.
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The concerns were evident against Houston, when quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Colorado's first-half production reinforced that the Cowboys still have work to do in pass coverage.
Although Oklahoma State made significant improvements after halftime, the secondary must find a way to sustain that level of execution throughout an entire game. With Iowa State awaiting next weekend, defensive consistency remains one of the Cowboys' most important priorities.
4. Oklahoma State's Offense Showed Off Its Many Weapons
Oklahoma State's offensive production continues to be one of the team's biggest strengths. Against Colorado, the Cowboys demonstrated just how difficult they can be to defend when multiple playmakers are involved.
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Mestemaker threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns, continuing his impressive stretch of performances. Running back Caleb Hawkins added 120 rushing yards, providing balance to the Cowboys' passing attack. Wide receiver Justin Bowick also delivered a standout performance, finishing with 138 receiving yards.
For the third time this season, Oklahoma State featured a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver in the same game. The Cowboys finished with 598 yards of total offense and 28 first downs.
What makes Oklahoma State particularly dangerous is its ability to generate production from several different positions. Mestemaker has continued to distribute the football effectively, while Hawkins provides a threat both on the ground and as a receiver. Bowick's performance offered another reminder that opposing defenses cannot focus exclusively on one Oklahoma State playmaker.
When the Cowboys establish that kind of offensive balance, they have the potential to put significant pressure on any defense in the Big 12.
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5. Sam Keltner Continues to Deliver on Special Teams
While Oklahoma State's offense and defense received plenty of attention, kicker Sam Keltner quietly delivered one of the most impressive performances of the night. Keltner converted all five of his field-goal attempts, setting an Oklahoma State single-game school record.
His reliability proved particularly important during a first half when the Cowboys struggled to consistently finish drives with touchdowns. Rather than coming away empty-handed, Oklahoma State was able to continue putting points on the scoreboard.
Morris praised Keltner's professionalism and preparation following the victory.
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"He's a professional in everything he does," Morris said. "The way he prepares."
Mestemaker also emphasized the value of having a dependable kicker when the offense isn't operating at its best.
"I'm glad we can even get points when we aren't playing as well as an offense that we'll still get points on the board," Mestemaker said.
He explained that Keltner's ability to finish drives with points provides another layer of confidence for the offense.
"Two of those basically add up to a touchdown, and whenever we are rolling, we can get down the field well and then to have someone that can end the drive in points, that's big," Mestemaker said.
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For a team with an explosive offense, Keltner's consistency gives Oklahoma State another valuable weapon. And in closer conference matchups, that reliability could make the difference between winning and losing.
