Oklahoma State Postgame Notes vs. Houston

Oklahoma State vs. Houston
October 11, 2025 | Stillwater, Okla. (Boone Pickens Stadium) | Attendance: 44,941
Final Score: Houston 39, Oklahoma State 17
Updated Records: Oklahoma State 1-5 overall, 0-3 Big 12; Houston 5-1 overall, 2-1 Big 12

Game Flow

After Oklahoma State scored a touchdown on its opening possession, Houston did not allow another touchdown until late in the fourth quarter. The Cougars led, 10-7, after the first quarter, and grew their lead to 24-10 by halftime.
The Cougars outgained the Cowboys, 485-225, including a 166-45 advantage on the ground, and had 25 first downs compared to OSU's 10.

Postgame Notes

Saturday's game was the third for Oklahoma State interim head coach Doug Meacham, who stepped into the role after OSU and 21-year head coach Mike Gundy parted ways on September 23.
Sam Jackson V, who has featured primarily as a wide receiver this season, made his first OSU start at quarterback. It marked his fourth career start at quarterback, with his previous three coming during his time at California. Jackson's last start at quarterback was against Arizona State on September 30, 2023.
Quarterback Noah Walters made his first appearance for Oklahoma State, entering midway through the fourth quarter. Walters transferred in following the second game of the season after attending UCF as a non-football-playing student. He played quarterback for North Alabama from 2022-23. At North Alabama, he was named the Phil Steele ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year in 2022.
Walters led OSU to its longest drive of the day with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Gavin Freeman 33-yard touchdown reception with 3:54 left in the fourth quarter. It was the first touchdown of the season for Walters and the second of the season for Freeman.
Oklahoma State took the lead on its opening possession with a trick play after wide receiver Shamar Rigby connected with running back Rodney Fields Jr. for a 62-yard passing touchdown. It was the longest passing touchdown for the Pokes since September 28, 2024, at Kansas State, and the longest passing play of the season. It was Rigby's first career touchdown and Fields' first career receiving touchdown. The 62-yard gain marked the longest play of their respective careers.
Safety Landyn Cleveland blocked the first punt of his career with 12:52 left in the second quarter. It marked the first blocked punt for OSU since Kam Franklin blocked a punt against No. 23 Kansas on October 14, 2023.
Wes Pahl launched a 71-yard punt early in the third quarter, which is the first punt over 70 yards for OSU since Pahl sent one 73 yards against South Dakota State on August 31, 2024.
On the day, Freeman finished with three receptions for a career-high 59 yards.
Saturday's contest marked the first career starts for defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim, linebacker Jacobi Oliphant Jr and safety Landyn Cleveland.
Oklahoma State's game captains were Sam Jackson V, Aden Kelly, Brandon Rawls and Quinton Stewart.