Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III could only do so much.
Drive after drive, the Baylor Bears (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) could not close, leading to a 59-24 defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-0, 5-0 Big 12).
When your quarterback is responsible for 452 total yards and leads your team to 622 total yards, you expect a more competitive game. The problem for Baylor is that there were 1223 yards and 83 points between the two teams – only 24 of them belonged to the Bears.
RG3 is one player. On the other side, there was Joseph Randle, Brandon Weeden and then some guy named Justin Blackmon.
Oklahoma State moved it with ease all day long. Randle set a career-high rushing total for 152 yards and four scores Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 13 of his 24 passes to Blackmon for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, also a career high.
Looking at the scoreboard alone is a bit misleading. On Baylor’s opening drive the Bears were stuffed on fourth-and-goal. Later in the first half, the Bears were stopped again on fourth-and-one.
Take a look at Baylor’s first four drives of the game: 16 plays 69 yards, 7 plays 49 yards, 13 plays 63 yards and 11 plays 40 yards. The result: zero points.
After Oklahoma State’s fourth drive, it was 21-0. The Cowboys would never look back.
Oklahoma State gave up yards. The Pokes also forced five turnovers, which is a great sign moving forward if the Cowboys hope to play for a national championship.
“I love it. We gave up a bunch of yards, but at the same time we won and those five turnovers are a big statistic,” said Bill Young, Oklahoma State defensive Coordinator.
Bottom line: The Cowboys make the most of what they are given. If Kansas State, Texas Tech, Iowa State or Oklahoma hope to defeat the Cowboys, they better not make any mistakes. The Pokes will make you pay.
