Cowboys Blast Kansas In Record-Setting Fashion

Gerald Goodridge, News9.com

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys had all but secured a win in the first half, pulling their starters with four minutes left to play in the second quarter, and cruising to a 70-28 win Saturday over the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Cowboys' 70 points ties the record for most points scored in the modern era, a record set in 1973 in a 70-7 win over the Southern Illinois Salukis. Additionally, this marks the first time the Cowboys opened back to back seasons 5-0 since the 1944-1945 seasons. 

Kansas looked strong early, going 80 yards on 10 plays, capped off by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Webb to Tim Biere, but the wheels essentially fell off at that point.

Oklahoma State was methodical and efficient on its next drive in an attempt to take the momentum from the Jayhawks. Quarterback Brandon Weeden completed seven of his eight pass attempts, capped off by a 12-yard strike to Josh Cooper to tie the game.

On KU's next drive, Markelle Martine forced a Tony Pierson fumble, and Jamie Blatnick recovered and returned it five yards to take over at the Kansas 33-yard line. On the ensuing drive, Weeden completed two passes, the second a 24-yard touchdown to Justin Blackmon to take a 14-7 lead.

The Cowboys' first two scores came in a 55-second window.

Oklahoma State forced the Jayhawks into another three-and-out, but the punt was poor and went out at the 40-yard line. On the second play of the next drive, Weeden hooked up with Hubert Anyiam for a 56-yard pass and again two plays later for a score to put the Cowboys ahead 21-7 in just 50 seconds after taking the lead.

After forcing yet another Jayhawk punt, Oklahoma State moved to its ground game, and Jeremy Smith took a handoff up the middle for a 38 yards for a touchdown, with the game still in the first quarter. That marks the ninth straight game with at touchdown for the sophomore from Union High School.

On the third play of the next drive, Webb threw his first interception of the game, which Broderick Brown returned to the 25-yard line. Three plays later, Weeden connected with Anyiam yet again, this time a three-yard touchdown to take a 35-7 lead with 12 seconds left to play in the first quarter.

OSU's 35 first-quarter points ties a school record, set in the Cowboys 2002 win over the Baylor Bears.

Weeden finished the first quarter with a 16-of-18 passing performance for 223 yards and four touchdowns, accounting for all but 43 yards of Oklahoma State's first-quarter offense.

Kansas tried to sustain a drive in the early moments of the second quarter, coming away with its first, first down since the opening drive, but were forced to punt just three plays later.

The Cowboys were once-again efficient on the next drive, with Weeden going five-of-eight – even adding in an 11-yard rush – to set up a two-yard touchdown run by Joseph Randle to go ahead 42-7 with 7:19 left in the second quarter.

OSU forced yet another Webb turnover on the ensuing Kansas drive, a strip sack by Richetti Jones recovered by Shaun Lewis to take over at the Kansas 19-yard line. Weeden connected with Blackmon twice on the next drive, the second a back-corner fade to take a 49-7 lead with 4:02 left to play in the half.

At that point, Oklahoma State pulled its starters, essentially signaling the end of the game.

OSU's second-string offense picked up where the starters left off, and Clint Chelf connected with Isaiah Anderson for a 24-yard score, putting the Cowboys ahead 56-7, a score that held until halftime.

The 56 first-half points ties another team scoring record, set in the same 1973 win over Southern Illinois.

Weeden finished the game passing for 288 yards on a 24-of-28 passing performance, along with five touchdowns that puts him one behind head coach Mike Gundy for third on the school's all-time touchdown pass list. Blackmon finished the game with eight receptions for 84 yards and two scores, with Anyiam turning in 85 and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma State will now head to Austin for the second consecutive year, looking to make it back-to-back wins against the Longhorns for the first time in school history.