Colorado vs. Oklahoma State: Drew Mestemaker throws for 386 yards as Cowboys score 34 straight to rout Buffaloes 57-24

Colorado went into halftime in Stillwater with the lead. It didn’t score again. Oklahoma State outscored the Buffaloes 34-0 after the break, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns in a 57-24 homecoming win on Saturday night, Oct. 24, at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Kicker Sam Keltner added five field goals, and the Cowboys’ defense held Colorado to 120 yards of offense in the second half, according to the Associated Press.

Colorado vs. Oklahoma State final score

Oklahoma State improved to 5-2 (3-1 Big 12). Colorado fell to 2-5 (0-4 Big 12).

The turning point: a fumble on the first play of the third quarter

The first half was a shootout. Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score, and the Buffaloes led 24-23 at the half. Mestemaker had 264 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, but the Cowboys stalled in scoring range and settled for Keltner field goals of 47, 30 and 41 yards.

Everything changed on the first snap of the second half. Wilson fumbled on a keeper, and safety Quinton Hammonds recovered at the Colorado 24. Two plays later, Mestemaker found tight end Morgan McPhaul for a 3-yard touchdown, and Oklahoma State never trailed again.

The Cowboys then forced a punt and drove 78 yards to make it 37-24, with running back Caleb Hawkins setting it up with a 39-yard run and a 17-yard catch. William Mason ran in from 3 yards out, Wyatt Young caught a 28-yard touchdown from Mestemaker, and Tre Page III added an 18-yard touchdown run, according to Oklahoma State’s scoring summary.

Colorado punted four times and committed three turnovers after halftime, the AP reported. SI reported that the Cowboys scored on six of their last seven possessions.

Key stats

Team totals per Oklahoma State’s box score. The Cowboys finished with 598 yards of offense.

Standouts: - Drew Mestemaker, OSU: 21 of 36, 386 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT - Caleb Hawkins, OSU: 120 rushing yards - Sam Keltner, OSU: 5 field goals, giving him 18 in a row, which ties Matt Ammendola for the longest streak in program history. Oklahoma State’s site called the five field goals a school record, while the AP said he matched the program record. - Isaac Wilson, CU: 222 first-half passing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 rushing TD

Deion Sanders: “This stuff hurts”

Colorado coach Deion Sanders didn’t hide his frustration after the game, according to Sports Illustrated.

“This stuff hurts, man. I’m going to try to mask it as much as possible,” Sanders said. “11 penalties for 84 yards…just totally undisciplined.”

He praised his quarterback, saying, “Isaac played his butt off. He really did,” but added that the defense “blew some coverages” and that Oklahoma State tested Colorado’s cornerbacks more than any opponent had. “We didn’t score. We couldn’t score in the second half. And we couldn’t stop them from scoring in the second half. That’s the difference in the game,” he said.

What’s next

Colorado hosts Kansas State on Saturday. Oklahoma State plays at Iowa State on Saturday, Oct. 31.

FAQ