| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UCF | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
OKST | 7 | 14 | 3 | 18 | 42 |
UCF Knights @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
No. 18 Oklahoma State surges past UCF 42-28 after a fumble-return turning point
STILLWATER, Okla. -- — Drew Mestemaker threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, Evan Jackson returned a fumble 28 yards for another score, and No. 18 Oklahoma State pulled away from UCF in the second half for a 42-28 win Saturday.
Mestemaker added a rushing touchdown and 2-point conversion for Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12 Conference), which outscored the Knights 21-7 after halftime. Sam Keltner kicked two field goals to give the Cowboys a 27-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Keyone Jenkins threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns and was driving the Knights (3-3, 1-2) toward a possible go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. But his backwards pass was knocked down by Oklahoma State's Christian Bodnar and returned for a touchdown by Jackson. Mestemaker's conversion run gave the Cowboys a 35-21 cushion with 10:32 left.
“Super close play," Morris said. “He didn't hesitate. He saw the ball on the ground, he picked it up, scooped it and went and made a play with it. I thought that was kind of where we were able to capture the momentum.”
Jenkins was nearly perfect in the first half, completing 15 of 18 passes for 118 yards and three scores. His 3-yard pass to Tyren Hornes with 13 seconds left before halftime drew the Knights even at 21.
Mestemaker was efficient as well, connecting on 12 of 16 throws for 165 yards and a score in the first half.
Oklahoma State's defense bowed up in the third quarter, limiting UCF's offense to 65 total yards and holding Jenkins to 43 through the air.
“First of all, they're a good team,” UCF coach Scott Frost said. “I think their quarterback, I'd be surprised if he's in college next year, some of the plays and throws that he made. I thought it was two pretty evenly matched teams. I think they executed and made a few more plays than we did. We can't have a catastrophic play like that ... against a good team.”
UCF: The Knights lost a lead for the second straight week and have dropped 12 straight games on the road.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys have a high-powered offense but defense is a big reason they've won four in a row.
A fumble by sophomore running back Caleb Hawkins on Oklahoma State's second play was his first in 314 college carries. Isaiah Nixon punched the ball loose from Hawkins and fell on it, giving UCF the ball on the Cowboys' 42-yard line. Nine plays later, Jenkins threw a 1-yard pass to tight end Grayson Brousseau to take a 7-0 lead. The miscue didn't hinder Morris' belief in Hawkins, who handled the ball four straight times on the Cowboys' next possession. “I told him, 'hey, I’m coming right back to you. Like, you’re getting the ball and a lot this next drive,” Morris said.
Mestemaker's favorite target was 6-foot-5 receiver Justin Bowick, who caught six passes for 98 yards and a touchdown that went for 18 yards. His best catch of the day was a one-hander good for 12 yards with time winding down in the first quarter.
UCF: Hosts No. 8 BYU on Oct. 24.
Oklahoma State: Plays at Houston next Saturday.
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