Gordon’s TD and 2-pt conversion lead No. 16 Oklahoma St. to 39-31 win over Arkansas

In a thrilling showdown, No. 16 Oklahoma State triumphed over Arkansas with a score of 39-31, thanks to Ollie Gordon II’s pivotal 12-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion catch in the second overtime. This exciting finish took place on Saturday in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Despite being the previous season’s Doak Walker Award winner and widely recognized as the top running back in the nation, Gordon faced a challenging day on the field. He was held to just 49 yards on 17 carries. Fortunately for the Cowboys, other players stepped up to fill the gap. Alan Bowman, the starting quarterback, threw for an impressive 326 yards, while Brennan Presley contributed significantly with 91 receiving yards, a touchdown catch, and a rushing score.

The Razorbacks, however, outperformed Oklahoma State in overall yardage, racking up 648 total yards compared to the Cowboys’ 385. Despite this advantage, Arkansas was hampered by inefficiency, missing two of three field goal attempts and committing three turnovers. In contrast, Oklahoma State managed only one turnover throughout the game.

On the other side, Arkansas’s Taylen Green delivered a strong performance, passing for 416 yards and adding 61 rushing yards. Ja’Quinden Jackson shone with a career-best performance, rushing for 149 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Additionally, Andrew Armstrong set personal bests with 10 receptions for 164 yards for the Razorbacks.

The game took a dramatic turn as Oklahoma State rallied from a 21-7 deficit at halftime. Early in the fourth quarter, Presley caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Bowman, followed by a successful two-point conversion reception by De’Zhaun Stribling, tying the score at 21.

Building on this momentum, Oklahoma State executed a daring play. After making a critical fourth-down stop, they used a reverse flea flicker, with Bowman connecting on a 63-yard pass to fullback Jake Schultz, getting them into the red zone. Presley then executed a 3-yard touchdown run, putting the Cowboys ahead 28-21 with only 5:13 left in regulation.

Arkansas swiftly responded with Green’s 43-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Hasz, leveling the game at 28 with just over four minutes remaining.

As the game drew to a close, Oklahoma State’s Logan Ward successfully kicked a 38-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining, giving his team a 31-28 lead. However, with no timeouts, Arkansas rushed down the field, covering 48 yards in eight plays, culminating in Kyle Ramsey’s 44-yard field goal that tied the game as time expired, forcing overtime.

In the first overtime period, both teams struggled, with Ward and Ramsey each missing field goal attempts—Ramsey from 46 yards and Ward from 41 yards. Moving into the second overtime, Oklahoma State scored first, seizing the lead. Ultimately, they halted the Razorbacks on a crucial fourth-and-short, clinching the game.

The outcome raises questions on both sides. Arkansas must reflect on their missed opportunities, particularly the critical penalties that disrupted their late-game efforts. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State demonstrated resilience, proving they could secure a win even when Gordon struggled to make his usual impact on the ground. Their adjustments at halftime, especially on offense, played a significant role in this victory.

As for future implications, Oklahoma State is expected to maintain a similar ranking after defeating an SEC team that has shown improved talent. Arkansas, now looking ahead, will host UAB next Saturday, while Oklahoma State prepares for a matchup against Tulsa.

Source: AP News