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Oklahoma State's Late Comeback Falls Short as Iowa State Wins on Walk-Off Field Goal
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- Oklahoma State's Late Comeback Falls Short as Iowa State Wins on Walk-Off Field Goal
(Reese Strickland-Imagn Images)
AMES, Iowa — Oklahoma State was 53 seconds away from completing a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and earning its sixth victory of the season.
Instead, Iowa State delivered the final blow. Kyle Konrardy connected on a 34-yard field goal as time expired Saturday night, lifting the Cyclones to a 51–49 victory over the No. 24 Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium.
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The loss dropped Oklahoma State to 5–3 overall and 3–2 in Big 12 play, while Iowa State improved to 4–4 and 2–3. It also marked the Cowboys' third consecutive loss in Ames.
A Dramatic Final Minute
Oklahoma State trailed 45–35 early in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback behind quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins. Hawkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with eight minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to 45–42.
Iowa State appeared to seize control when Beau Goodwin intercepted Mestemaker with 4:35 remaining, giving the Cyclones possession at the Oklahoma State 29-yard line. The Cowboys' defense limited the damage, forcing Iowa State to settle for Konrardy's 29-yard field goal and a 48–42 advantage with 2:56 left.
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Mestemaker responded by directing Oklahoma State down the field, aided by consecutive runs of nine and 11 yards from Hawkins. With 53 seconds remaining, Mestemaker found Wyatt Young for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point gave Oklahoma State a 49–48 lead. But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Young after the touchdown pushed Oklahoma State's ensuing kickoff back 15 yards.
Iowa State took over at its own 37, and quarterback Jaylen Raynor immediately connected with Jamal Polite for a 33-yard gain to the Oklahoma State 30. The Cyclones moved into field-goal range, setting up Konrardy's game-winning kick.
Explosive Plays Define Offensive Shootout
Both offenses moved the ball throughout the night, combining for 1,114 total yards. Mestemaker completed 27 of 42 passes for 323 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, tying his career high in touchdown passes.
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Hawkins delivered another standout performance, rushing for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Justin Bowick led Oklahoma State's receivers with seven catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Young added seven receptions for 74 yards and two scores.
The Cowboys finished with 533 total yards, including 210 on the ground. Iowa State countered with 581 yards, led by a dominant performance from Aiden Flora.
Flora rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter that answered Oklahoma State's 41-yard touchdown pass from Mestemaker to Bowick just 11 seconds earlier.
Raynor completed 18 of 28 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns while adding 48 rushing yards and another score. Polite was his primary target, finishing with six receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown.
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Cowboys Left Searching for Bowl-Clinching Victory
Oklahoma State showed its offensive firepower and resilience, overcoming a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to briefly take the lead. But Iowa State's explosive plays, combined with the costly late penalty, proved decisive.
The Cowboys remain one victory away from bowl eligibility after a game in which their offense produced seven touchdowns but could not secure the final result.
