Oklahoma State Postgame Notes vs Missouri State

Game Flow
Oklahoma State got out to a 20-0 lead after scoring touchdowns on three of its first four drives. From there, Missouri State settled in defensively and trimmed the deficit to 23-16 after a Tyrone Scott touchdown catch with 3:06 left. A muffed return by OSU on the ensuing kickoff set the Bears up with possession on the Cowboys' 16-yard line. On what became the most crucial possession of the game, the OSU defense turned Missouri State over on downs to get the ball back. The Cowboys went three-and-out on the following possession and punted back to Missouri State with 1:34 remaining. The Bears got to the OSU 26-yard line with 28 seconds left, but sacks on third and fourth down sealed the Cowboy victory.

Oklahoma State Notes

The Oklahoma State defense limited Missouri State to five-of-17 on third down conversions (29.4 pct). The Cowboys led the nation in that same category in 2020 by limiting their opponents to 33.1 percent on third down a season ago.
Oklahoma State forced two turnovers in the game; a fumble recovery by linebacker Devin Harper in the second quarter and Korie Black's muffed punt recovery in the fourth quarter. Though they don't count as turnovers, the OSU defense turned Missouri State over on downs on the two most critical possessions of the game late in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboy defense held Missouri State to 4.0 yards per play.
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez set a career highs with 15 tackles and three quarterback hurries, marking the 11th double-digit tackle game of his career.
With quarterback Spencer Sanders out due to COVID protocols, Shane Illingworth made his third career start. He completed 22-of-40 passes for 315 yards. In doing so, he set career highs for completions, attempts and passing yards.
In his first start as a Cowboy, receiver Tay Martin enjoyed his finest day for OSU, making six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Three Oklahoma State players made their first career start in the game – defensive tackle Sione Asi, offensive lineman Taylor Miterko and receiver Bryson Green. Additionally, transfers Danny Godlevske and Tay Martin both made their first OSU starts. Bryson Green became the first OSU true freshman to start a season opener since Wes Lunt in 2012. He became the first OSU true freshman to start at receiver since Ricky Price in 2006.
Joining Bryson Green as true freshmen to see action in the game were defensive end Collin Oliver, defensive tackle Aden Kelley, receiver Jaden Bray.
Among the players making his Oklahoma State debut was running back Jaylen Warren, who powered his way up the middle for a one-yard touchdown rush early in the second quarter.
Game Captains for Oklahoma State were LD Brown, Malcolm Rodriguez, Christian Holmes and Matt Hembrough.
OSU safety Tre Sterling was flagged for targeting with 3:06 remaining in the game. He will miss the first half of next week's game against Tulsa.

The Oklahoma State Win…
•          Made it 9-0 all-time vs. Missouri State and 14-0 against teams in the MVFC.
•          Made it 16-1 in its past 17 non-conference games and 38-6 in its past 44 non-conference games.
•          Improved Mike Gundy's record vs. FCS teams to 13-0.
•          Improved Mike Gundy's record in non-conference games to 55-12.
•          Made it 10-2 in its past 12 games played when not ranked by the AP.
•          Improved it to 42-18 in its past 60 games and 56-24 in its past 80 games.
•          Made it 75-16 in its past 91 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating back to 2010.
•          Improved its record in season openers to 76-40-6 and its record in home season openers to 53-5-5.
•          Made it 87-29-5 in home openers.
•          Gave it wins in 13 of its past 14, 16 of its past 18 and 33 of its past 41 season openers.
•          Improved Mike Gundy's record in season openers to 15-2 and his record in home openers to 17-0.
•          Improved Mike Gundy's record vs. non-Power Five opponents to 37-4.
•          Gave it 26 consecutive wins in home openers, increasing the longest streak in school history.
•          Gave it wins in 46 of its past 52 home openers.

All About Openers
            Saturday's game marked the fifth time in the past six years that Oklahoma State has opened the season in Stillwater. It also marked the 63rd time OSU has opened its season at home. OSU's overall record in season openers is 76-40-6, while its overall record in home openers is 87-29-5 and its overall record in season openers at home is 53-5-5.
            Oklahoma State has won 26 consecutive home openers for the longest such streak in school history, and the Cowboys have won 46 of their past 52 home openers. When it comes to season openers overall, OSU has won each of its past seven and 16 of its past 18.
            Saturday's game also marks the 11th time during Mike Gundy's tenure that the Cowboys have opened with a home game, and the Cowboys are undefeated in those 11. Gundy is 15-2 overall in season openers, with his only setbacks at No. 13 Georgia in 2007 and vs. No. 1 Florida State in 2014.

The Series
            Saturday's game marked the ninth meeting between Oklahoma State and Missouri State, with the Cowboys going 9-0 in a series that dates back to 1993. Every series meeting has been played in Stillwater. The win improved OSU to 14-0 all time against teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference and improved Mike Gundy to 13-0 all-time against FCS opposition.

Notable Streaks and Trends
•          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 27-10 in its past 36 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
•          OSU is 32-5 in its past 36 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
•          OSU has forced a total of 12 turnovers in its past five games, dating back to last season.
•          OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50 percent third down conversion rate in 12 straight games.

Up Next
            Oklahoma State hosts Tulsa at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 11 in Boone Pickens Stadium.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Sione Asi

Korie Black

Jaden Bray

LD Brown

Danny Godlevske

Bryson Green

Devin Harper

Matt Hembrough

Christian Holmes

Shane Illingworth

Aden Kelley

Tay Martin

Taylor Miterko

Collin Oliver

Malcolm Rodriguez

Spencer Sanders

Tre Sterling

Jaylen Warren

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