Three Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 33-7 Loss to South Alabama
The Oklahoma State Cowboys lost their first game of the season to South Alabama on Saturday night for their first non-Power 5 loss since 2016. I won’t add insult to injury here for Pokes fans by talking about that 2016 loss.
After starting 2-0, the Cowboys struggled in all three phases of the game in an ugly 33-7 loss. The game was never really close as the Cowboys were dominated on their own field. Here are three thoughts on the loss.
Drops
Jayden Bray dropped the fourth pass attempt of the game from Alan Bowman, which looked like an easy opening drive touchdown. Had that pass been caught, Bowman would have started the game 4-4 with a touchdown, instead he went three for his next eight with an interception. On the very next play, after the dropped would-be touchdown, Oklahoma State’s best WR De’Zhaun Stribling got hurt and missed the rest of the game.
Later in the first half, on the only other drive that had any rhythm early, Talyn Shettron dropped a pass on the sideline, killing that drive’s momentum. In the second half, Oklahoma State finally got on the board cutting the Jaguars lead to 23-7. The defense held the USA offense to a three-and-out and forced them to punt, but Brennan Presley dropped the punt and South Alabama recovered. The Jags would effectively put the game away with a 42-yard field goal to make it 26-7 with nine minutes remaining in the game.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Who is Oklahoma State’s quarterback this fall? Is it Alan Bowman, Gunnar Gundy or Garret Rangel? I don’t think Mike Gundy knows, I don’t know and I don’t think the majority of the fans know.
Bowman got the start and in his four drives was 6-12 for 42 yards and an interception. Gundy would replace him to finish out the half. Gundy got the most playing time of the three, going 9-18 for 64 yards and led the only scoring drive of the night. He also added 27 yards on the ground on 10 carries. Rangel got the short end of the stick, only getting two drives at the end of the game. He was 1-5 for eight yards. When looking at all three games, no one in this group sticks out, but if I had to pick one, I’d roll with Gundy. He at least adds the threat to run when a play breaks down.
Where to go from here?
You start the season 2-1, you don’t have a QB and now you’re heading into Big 12 play. The team has no identity and doesn’t look like any team we’ve ever seen Mike Gundy coach. The defense has yet to start a game firing on all cylinders, which has put the team in some early holes. When you’re switching quarterbacks constantly, it’s not a recipe for success.
Now you’re getting ready to head to Ames, which has not been kind to the Cowboys in the past. Thankfully after the Iowa State game, the team gets a week off. If Gundy hasn’t figured out the quarterback situation by then, the season is in trouble with K-State and KU in back-to-back match ups.
The saving grace is that at least Iowa State is reeling after starting the season 1-2 with two-straight losses. The Cyclones are coming off a 10-7 loss to Ohio after a field goal that went over the upright was called no good (now ISU fans know how OSU fans feel). Onto Week 4.
