Oklahoma State vs. TCU football: Five takeaways from Cowboys' 2OT loss to Horned Frogs
FORT WORTH, Texas — The push wasn’t enough.
Oklahoma State’s defensive line appeared to have forced its way into the TCU backfield, but Kendre Miller evaded the push, found a running lane and burst into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, spoiling the eighth-ranked Cowboys’ undefeated season with a 43-40 double-overtime victory on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
It ignited a wild celebration as fans of 13th-ranked TCU stormed the field once Miller had crossed the goal line.
OSU led 30-16 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter, but saw the lead slowly slip away with the offense going flat and the defense losing its bite.
OSU had just 32 yards of offense in the fourth quarter with a chance to put the game away. It was the first time the Cowboys had lost when leading by at least 14 points since the 2016 Central Michigan game.
TCU scored touchdowns on four of its last six possessions, including both overtime periods to stay unbeaten at 6-0.
Here are four more takeaways from the double-OT thriller:
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‘Bend but don’t break’ finally breaks
A defense that had been strong with its back against the wall finally showed some cracks.
TCU drove into OSU territory twice and came away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to tie the game, then scored TDs on both possessions in overtime.
It was a stark contrast from the first three quarters of the game when the Cowboy defense was guarding its own territory well.
Through the first three quarters, though the Cowboys gave up some yardage, they stiffened deep in their own territory. Placekicker Griffin Kell kept the Frogs afloat with a trio of field goals.
Prior to the fourth quarter, TCU moved inside the OSU 20 four times, getting a touchdown, two field goals and a turnover on downs. The Frogs had another drive that reached the OSU 30 and stalled for a 47-yard field goal by Kell.
Sanders plays after injury speculation
OSU head coach Mike Gundy confirmed to the ABC broadcast crew that quarterback Spencer Sanders did not practice all week after suffering a shoulder injury last week against Texas Tech.
Speculation had run rampant in the days prior to the game regarding Sanders’ availability, with rumors suggesting he might not play.
However, Sanders played every offensive snap, finishing 16-of-36 for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed 11 times for 68 yards and two TDs, both in the first quarter.
Injury update
While all the pregame attention on injuries had focused on the rumors surrounding Sanders’ shoulder, the Cowboys were without two starters and a key reserve on Saturday.
Sanders did not show any obvious effects from a shoulder injury. But the offensive line was without starting center Preston Wilson, who missed the second half of last week’s game with a lower leg injury.
Backup center Eli Russ missed multiple series in the second half, being replaced by Joe Michalski. But Russ returned late in the fourth quarter
Starting receiver Jaden Bray and backup cornerback/special teams regular Demarco Jones boht missed the game as well.
Grass kicking
Coming into the game, Tanner Brown had missed just four field goals in 29 attempts since taking over as the Cowboys’ starting placekicker last October.
Three of those misses had been on natural grass surfaces, which is what TCU has at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Brown made all four attempts on Saturday, from 35, 34, 32 and 52 yards, the last in the second overtime.
He is now 12-for-12 on the season.
Oklahoma State vs. TCU live updates
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU vs. TCU football: Horned Frogs beat Cowboys in double overtime
