Oklahoma State made the trip out to Eugene, Oregon on Saturday and the game, unfortunately, went the way Ducks fans expected and hoped it would in a blowout 69-3 win over the Cowboys. It was the first-ever regular season meeting between the two programs and only the second time in history the teams have met. In the 2008 Holiday Bowl, it was the Ducks earning a 42-31 victory. As for this game, it felt like it was over the from start, as Oregon scored a touchdown on its second play from scrimmage and never looked back. Here are the top three takeaways on the game.
Dan Lanning Wasn’t Screwing Around
Well, Dan Lanning didn’t seem to happy earlier in the week when he got wrapped into a war of words over NIL spending. And then, Lanning took it out on Gundy as soon as the game started. Oregon went up 7-0 on their second play of the opening drive on a Noah Whittington 59-yard run. And after forcing a three-and-out on the Pokes, on the first play of their second drive, Dante Moore found Dakorien Moore on a 65-yard touchdown strike to go up 13-0. Then, Lanning just went for the jugular with a two-point conversion attempt which came up short, but didn’t matter.
Even on the third Oregon drive of the game, Oregon went for it on a 4th and 4 at the OSU 44-yard line, showing no respect for the Cowboys on defense or offense. Despite missing it, Oregon’s defense forced a quick punt, and then it was Oregon scoring a touchdown four plays later on a Dierre Hill Jr. 19-yard run. It was 20-0 after the first quarter and it was clear the Pokes were never going to have a chance in this game.
Oklahoma State Looked Small Up Front
Granted, OSU was going up against a team with College Football Playoff aspirations, but it doesn’t matter. Oklahoma State looked like an FCS team out there at times, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. And this played out all afternoon in Eugene. Oklahoma State finished the game with only 144 rushing yards on 42 carries, good for 3.4 YPC. Meantime, the Ducks were rolling on the ground. Oregon finished the game with 312 rushing yards on 37 carries and five touchdowns.
What Does All This Mean for Mike Gundy?
I don’t want to react overly emotionally to a game like this. But it was hideous for Gundy and the Cowboys. And this game shows you how far the Pokes are from competing at a national level. They aren’t even close. And it’s not clear they will be at all close to compete at a high-end Big 12 level any time soon. Mike Gundy has done amazing things for Oklahoma State football. He, along with investments from T. Boone Pickens, put them on the map. He is forever a legend in Stillwater, no matter what happens from here on out.
Nothing is happening in the short-term, but if this season goes how it looks like it might in Stillwater, a long-term conversation needs to happen. But right now, emotions are running high. Just like this story with Mike Gundy’s son ripping an OSU reporter.
