Oklahoma State Hosts Kansas State in Big 12 Opener

Complete Notes Available Here

The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (3-0 overall; 0-0 Big 12) returns to Stillwater this week to face Kansas State (3-0 overall; 0-0 Big 12) in both teams' first Big 12 conference game of the 2021 season. The Cowboys and Wildcats square off on Saturday, September 25, at Boone Pickens Stadium with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT.

On the Air
The game will stream live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Shawn Kenney, Ryan Leaf and Shane Sparks on the call. It will also be carried live on the Cowboy Radio Network, with Dave Hunziker handling play-by-play, John Holcomb providing analysis and Robert Allen reporting from the sideline. Fans outside of the Cowboy Radio Network can listen to the OSU broadcast for free through The Varsity Network app.

In the Rankings
Oklahoma State held steady at No. 22 in the Week 4 edition of the 2021 USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. The Cowboys have been included in the coaches poll in each week of the 2021 season. OSU has also received votes in every week of the 2021 AP Top 25. OSU has reached the top 15 of the AP poll at some point in 11 of the past 13 seasons and has seen a top 10 ranking in the AP poll at some point in nine of those 13 years. Although the first 2021 College Football Playoff rankings won't be released until November 2, it's worth noting that OSU has been part of the CFP rankings in five of the past six seasons entering 2021. Kansas State is ranked No. 25 in AP Top 25 and represents the first AP-ranked opponent that OSU has faced since last season's Cheez-It Bowl matchup against No. 18 Miami. The Wildcats are not ranked in this week's coaches poll, but are receiving votes.

The Series
Saturday's game marks the 68th overall meeting between Oklahoma State and Kansas State in a series that dates to 1908. The 2021 season also marks the 12th consecutive year the teams have played. OSU holds a 41-26 all-time advantage in the series, including a 22-9 edge in games played in Stillwater. The Cowboys have won eight of the past 12 meetings in the series, including each of the past two, and have won six of the past seven games played in Stillwater. Coach Mike Gundy is 8-5 in his career against K-State, while KSU coach Chris Klieman is 0-2 against the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State from a Distance
Oklahoma State football has established itself as a top-tier program in the nation in recent history, becoming one of just 10 Power Five programs with more than 100 wins since 2010. The Cowboys have won 72% of their games (104-40) during that timeframe and have school-record streaks of 15 consecutive bowl bids and 15 consecutive winning seasons. In 2021, the Cowboys are 3-0 for a fifth consecutive year and for the 12th time in the Mike Gundy era. Each of the first three games has been hard-fought and decided by just one possession, but the Cowboys have found ways to win. The most recent victory came on the road at Boise State, which entered with a 29-2 record in non-conference home games game since the start of the 2006 season and a 126-10 record at home since 2000. The Cowboys were down six starters, including three at wide receiver, and still found a way to win. Offensively, OSU found a dangerous new weapon in running back Jaylen Warren, who finished with a career-high 218 rushing yards in his first start as a Cowboy. He led the way for the re-emergence of an OSU ground attack that finished the night with 246 total yards, which is more than it rushed for in its first two games of the season combined. OSU also got an important play when it needed it most from walk-on wide receiver Cale Cabbiness, who made a spectacular grab for a 24-yard gain on third-and-seven with about 1:30 remaining in the game to seal the win. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez continued to make his early case for All-America and national award honors as he led the Cowboys in total tackles yet again and made a game-changing play with a forced fumble right before halftime that led to OSU's go-ahead touchdown. The defense as a whole held Boise State to 64 yards of total offense and zero points in the second half to secure the result and made several late plays in the fourth quarter that included a Kolby Harvell-Peel interception and field goal block from Jason Taylor II to lock up the win. The Cowboys finished the night with four sacks, despite Boise State entering the game with only one sack allowed on the season. The 21-20 final score was a picture of the resiliency the Cowboys have displayed of late, winning each of their past four games by seven points or less. The win also marked OSU's seventh consecutive win in non-conference road games and made it 18-1 in its past 19 overall non-conference games.

An Oklahoma State Win Would...
• Make it 4-0 for the second straight season and for the sixth time in the Mike Gundy era.
• Mark its sixth straight win, securing its longest winning streak since OSU won seven straight in 2016. OSU's five-game winning streak entering the game is tied for the seventh-longest active streak in the FBS.
• Make the Cowboys 42-26 all-time vs. Kansas State and 23-9 vs. Kansas State in Stillwater.
• Give it three straight wins vs. Kansas State, marking the longest streak for either team in the series since OSU won three straight in 2007, 2010 and 2011.
• Make it 9-4 in its past 13 games against Kansas State.
• Make it 7-1 in its past eight home games against Kansas State.
• Improve Mike Gundy's career record vs. Kansas State to 9-5.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record in Big 12 games to 84-55
• Improve it to 12-3 in its past 15 games, 21-8 in its past 29 games, 45-18 in its past 63 games and 59-24 in its past 83 games.
• Make it 13-2 in its past 15 games played when not ranked by the AP.
• Make it 11-5 in its past 16 games and 15-8 in its past 23 games vs. AP Top 25 teams.
• Make it 9-3 in its past 12 games when playing as a team outside of the AP Top 25 against a team ranked in the AP Top 25.
• Improve it to 26-22 vs. AP ranked teams since the beginning of the 2011 season.
• Mark Mike Gundy's 32nd career win vs. AP Top 25 opponents. Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are the only other active coaches with more wins over AP Top 25 teams at their current schools.

Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
• OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 17 of the past 20 games and six of the last seven.
• OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50 percent third down conversion rate in 14 straight games.
• OSU has held 12 of its past 14 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
• Malcolm Rodriguez has recorded at least eight tackles in eight straight games.
• Rodriguez has led OSU in tackles in every game this season.
• Jaylen Warren has scored a rushing touchdown in each of his past four games played.
• OSU has won 74 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
• OSU is 29-10 in its past 39 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
• OSU is 33-5 in its past 38 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
• Dating back to 2005, OSU is 41-3 when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, OSU is 65-8 when winning the turnover battle.
• OSU has won three of its last four overtime games.
• OSU has forced 14 turnovers in its last seven games.
• OSU has had a 100-yard rusher in eight of its last 13 games.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Cale Cabbiness

Kolby Harvell-Peel

Malcolm Rodriguez

Jason Taylor II

Jaylen Warren

Oklahoma State University Athletics