Five Oklahoma State football takeaways after wild turnaround vs Colorado, Deion Sanders

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Five Oklahoma State football takeaways after wild turnaround vs Colorado, Deion Sanders

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos — Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback LaDainian Fields (9) celebrates an interception during a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Oklahoma State won 57-24.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Ben Hutchens, The Oklahoman

Sun, October 25, 2026 at 3:14 AM UTC ·

4 min read

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STILLWATER — LaDainian Fields intercepted a pass and then moved like he had a plan.

The sophomore corner beelined toward the field-level suites in the east end zone. Instead of going for high fives, and a beer shower celebration like tight end Carson Kolb experienced in a win against Murray State, Fields stood solid 5 yards into the end zone, staring down the fans while his teammates surrounded him.

In a 57-24 OSU win against Colorado , Fields' statue-like pose reflected a defense in control of its surroundings. That was the story of the Cowboy defense's second half. OSU forced three turnovers in a second-half shutout, including two interceptions from Fields.

It was a reversal from the first half, where the Cowboy defense looked out of sorts. OSU allowed 24 points and 279 yards in the first half. Colorado scored points on four of its first five meaningful drives and didn't score again.

More: Oklahoma State football rallies in second half to rout Deion Sanders, Colorado

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State Cowboys wide reciever Braylin Presley (83) war up before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris stands on the field before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Colorado coach Deion Sanders stands on the field as the team warms up before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker walks with the team to the stadium before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State coach Eric morris walks with the team to the stadium before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker greets fans before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

A young Oklahoma State fan waits outside the stadium for the team to arrive before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

An Oklahoma State helment is pictured in the field before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State fans wait for the team to arrive before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

The Oklahoma State band marches to the stadium before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State pom member arrive before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State fans cheer as OSU quarterback Drew Mestemaker walks with the team to the stadium before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Oklahoma State fans cheer as the team walks to stadium before a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Colorado Buffaloes at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Third down hardest part for OSU's defense

Colorado was 5 for 8 on third down conversions in the first half. The Buffaloes finished 5 of 13.

Colorado's second scoring drive featured two crushing third-down conversions.

At the OSU 25-yard line, Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson ran up the middle for 13 yards a third-and-10.

Two negative plays forced the Buffaloes into third-and-13 and Wilson fit a touchdown pass into a tight window to receiver DeAndre Moore. Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown.

Drew Mestemaker makes up for a lot

With 46 seconds left in the first half, OSU quarterback Drew Mestemaker spun out of a sack and located receiver Wyatt Young on the sideline. Young made a leaping catch to move the chains on a third-and-6 that was breaking down.

It was another masterful day for Mestemaker, and the Cowboys needed it. On that drive at the end of the first half, the Cowboys made a field goal to cut Colorado's lead down to 24-23.

Mestemaker finished with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns. It's his sixth consecutive game throwing for more than 300 yards, the nation's second-longest streak behind Oregon State's Braden Atkinson (seven).

Cowboy defense exposes Colorado turnover problem in second half

Colorado entered Saturday ranked No. 130 in the country of 138 FBS football teams in turnovers. The Buffaloes had turned the ball over 13 times in six games.

Buffalo quarterback Isaac Wilson initially kept a clean sheet. He started 9-for-9 passing and threw his first incompletion with 3:23 left in the first quarter. It was a turnover-free first half for Colorado.

It took one half for Colorado's colors to show.

On the first offensive play of the second half, Cowboy defensive lineman Jerry Lawson ripped the ball away from Wilson on a sack. Safety Quinton Hammonds recovered the fumble and returned it 9 yards to the 13-yard line.

With 4:32 left in the third quarter, an unblocked Ethan Wesloski blitzed from Wilson's right side and the pressure forced an overthrow that Fields intercepted.

Fields grabbed another interception with 8:11 remaining in the fourth quarter and nearly returned it for a touchdown, stepping out at the 9.

Wilson was benched with 7:01 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Cowboys took a 50-24 lead.

Numbers say Sam Keltner is best kicker in country

Sophomore Cowboy kicker Sam Keltner made field goals from 47, 31, 41, 21 and 30 yards. He has made all 18 field goals he has attempted this season.

Entering Saturday, 10 kickers were perfect this season on field goal and extra point attempts. Of that group, Keltner has the most made field goals.

Those numbers say Keltner is the best college kicker in America.

Keltner's 47-yard make in the first quarter Saturday ties his season-long make. He hasn't been asked to kick a 50-yarder this season.

Ben Hutchens covers OSU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ben? He can be reached at bhutchens@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ben_hutchens_ . Sign up for OSU Sports Minute newsletter to access more coverage of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Support Ben's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Five Oklahoma State football takeaways after wild turnaround vs Colorado, Deion Sanders

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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Colorado Buffaloes in Week 8 college football game, see photos

Third down hardest part for OSU's defense

Drew Mestemaker makes up for a lot

Cowboy defense exposes Colorado turnover problem in second half

Numbers say Sam Keltner is best kicker in country