The Oklahoma State Cowboys badly needed a Big 12 Conference win as the Arizona State Sun Devils traveled to Stillwater on Saturday for an orange and black OSU Homecoming celebration. After a nearly three-hour weather delay, Oklahoma State’s hopes of victory were all but gone, as was Saturday night’s storm front.

The lure of “America’s Greatest Homecoming” had the Cowboys rolling from the opening and with 20 seconds left in the second quarter, Oklahoma State faced only a 21-14 deficit . The lights came on and play was delayed before resuming hours later.

The long delay seemed to dismantle O-State’s momentum and the Sun Devils took full advantage. Arizona exploded for 21 straight points in the second half and cruised to a comfortable 42-21 victory.

With its sixth straight loss Saturday, Oklahoma State dropped to 3-6 on the season. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from the Cowboys’ loss to the Sun Devils.

Oklahoma State’s defense has been non-existent in Big 12 Conference games this season and Saturday was no different. The defensive unit gave up 529 total yards of offense to Arizona State. Sun Devil starting quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for a game-high 304 yards and three touchdowns.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo feasted on the Oklahoma State defense. He carried the rock 23 times for 153 yards to go along with the rushing score. He added another 121 receiving yards, including two touchdowns. Skattebo made 10 tackles and totaled over 80 yards rushing after contact.

Cowboys wideout Brennan Presley had five catches for 25 yards and a score against Arizona State. Presley is now seven catches away from Oklahoma State’s all-time receiving record. Reshaun Woods remains OSU’s career receiving record with 293 receptions. Presley remained one of the bright lights of a dark 2024 football season.

With the football game well in hand for Arizona State midway through the fourth quarter, Oklahoma State went to its bench. Smith has been the quarterback Cowboy Nation has been waiting to see and he has not disappointed. He earned his first career varsity pass. The freshman gunslinger’s role may have been limited, but just seeing Smith on the field breathed life into the future.

Junior running back Trent Howland is a true bruiser on the football field. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound back averaged more than seven yards per carry in the fourth quarter. This season, Howland has shown he can be a viable option for the Cowboys out of the backfield.

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