Oklahoma State football stunned by BYU late to extend losing streak

PROVO, Utah — On a night when it felt like all had gone wrong for Oklahoma State, something finally went right.

But the joy of Cowboy receiver Brennan Presley’s go-ahead touchdown had a short life.

One minute, three seconds, to be exact.

That’s how long it took BYU to go 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown in a 38-35 Cougar victory that crushed OSU’s soul.  

OSU quarterback Alan Bowman, playing only because starter Garret Rangel was lost to injury, guided one of the best drives of his career, taking the Pokes 76 yards in 17 plays, hitting Presley for the TD that put OSU on top 35-31 with 1:13 to play.

But BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff wasn’t to be outdone.

He responded with a 75-yard, eight-play drive that needed a fourth-down conversion and a 27-yard scramble by Retzlaff before he threw to Darius Lassiter for a 35-yard touchdown — zipping past three would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone.

OSU is now 0-4 in Big 12 play and has lost four games in a row for the first time since 2014.

Here are four more takeaways from the game: 

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Oklahoma State football QB Garret Rangel looks solid before injury

Making his first start of the season, Garret Rangel badly missed on his first pass attempt of the game, but his day went up from there.

The redshirt sophomore led two touchdown drives and set up a third score on the play that ended his night — and maybe his season.

Rangel broke free down the middle of the field for a 54-yard rush, but he was tackled from behind and pulled hard to the ground. 

He left the field immediately, going to the locker room to have his shoulder and collarbone examined. He did not return to the game.

Rangel finished 6 of 9 passing for 51 yards with a touchdown and an interception, rushing for 77 yards on five carries.

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OSU’s Parker Robertson has huge day

Safety Parker Robertson, who is primarily a special teams player, made his first career start and reached his career high in tackles before the first quarter ended.

With the Cowboys pounded by injuries in the secondary, Robertson was tabbed as a starter. His best tackle game was four earlier this season, but he had six in the first quarter and finished the game with 11.

He also came up with an interception late in the first quarter, the first of his career.

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New faces see playing time

One of the developments of OSU’s bye week was the opportunity to get a few players from deeper down the depth chart in the rotation.

The most notable such player was backup running back Rodney Fields Jr., the true freshman from Del City. He rushed eight times for 38 yards, including a key fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter. 

Additionally, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Austin Kawecki rotated in at both guard positions on multiple drives. Receiver Ayo Shotomide-King saw a bump in snaps, as did Da’Wain Lofton.

Defensively, Landon Dean saw his most significant action of the season at defensive end. And Poasa Utu, a redshirt freshman, also saw time in pass rush situations.

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Multiple Cowboy defenders miss game

The injury list grew before OSU got to Utah, but got even longer as the night wore on.

Starting safeties Trey Rucker and Dylan Smith did not travel with the team, nor did backup defensive end Jaleel Johnson. Backup quarterback Zane Flores underwent season-ending surgery earlier in the week and did not travel.

Rangel’s injury was the most impactful during the game, but not the only one for OSU.

Left tackle Dalton Cooper did not play in the second half, and was in a walking boot, according to a report from OSU radio sideline reporter Robert Allen.

Safety Cameron Epps had to be helped off the field in the third quarter, going immediately to the locker room as well.