The streak is finally over.
Oklahoma State snapped an 18-game Big 12 losing streak on Saturday night, rallying from an eight-point second-half deficit to beat West Virginia 41-24 in Morgantown. The Cowboys entered Saturday as underdogs in a matchup we highlighted as one of the most intriguing Big 12 games of Week 4.
It marked the Cowboys’ first conference victory since Nov. 25, 2023, ending a nearly three-year stretch without a Big 12 win.
And Oklahoma State didn’t exactly sneak out of Morgantown with this one. Oklahoma State opened Big 12 play with an impressive road victory, pulling away from West Virginia for a 41-24 win on Saturday night in Morgantown.
West Virginia appeared to be in control early in the second half after Michael Hawkins Jr. scored his third rushing touchdown of the night to give the Mountaineers a 21-13 lead.
From there, it was all Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys responded with 28 of the game’s final 31 points, including 13 unanswered in the fourth quarter, to turn an eight-point deficit into a comfortable 17-point victory.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker delivered a huge performance for Oklahoma State, completing 20 of 27 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. His biggest target was Wyatt Young, who finished with eight catches for 192 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys also got it done on the ground. Caleb Hawkins rushed 31 times for 180 yards and a touchdown as Oklahoma State piled up 609 total yards and averaged nearly nine yards per play.
West Virginia had plenty of success running the football, finishing with 326 rushing yards. Cam Cook led the way with 193 yards on 29 carries, while Michael Hawkins Jr. added 102 yards and three touchdowns.
But the Mountaineers couldn’t keep pace once Oklahoma State’s offense got rolling.
The Cowboys tied the game at 21 midway through the third quarter before Caleb Hawkins’ 22-yard touchdown run put Oklahoma State ahead for good.
Oklahoma State added a field goal early in the fourth before Mestemaker connected with Young for a six-yard touchdown that effectively put the game away.
After an ugly season-opening loss at Tulsa, Oklahoma State has now responded with three straight victories, including wins over Oregon and West Virginia, and opens Big 12 play at 1-0.
West Virginia falls to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
