In a dramatic college football contest that went down to the wire, the Oklahoma State Cowboys secured a nail-biting victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, winning 34-31 in double overtime. The highly anticipated matchup showcased the grit and determination of both teams, as they fought tooth and nail for every yard. This thrilling contest had fans on the edge of their seats, with big plays, key turnovers, and clutch performances on both sides.
Here’s a full recap of the game, including the top moments that led to Oklahoma State’s double-overtime triumph over Arkansas.
1. A Defensive Battle Early On
The first half of the game was defined by solid defensive play from both teams. Oklahoma State’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage early, preventing Arkansas from establishing a consistent ground game. Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson struggled to find his rhythm in the passing game, facing constant pressure from the Cowboys’ defense.
Similarly, Arkansas’s defense held strong, with linebacker Chris Paul Jr. leading the charge. The Razorbacks’ pass rush disrupted Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman, forcing several early incompletions and limiting the Cowboys to just one field goal in the first quarter. Both teams exchanged defensive blows, with neither offense able to break through for a major score.
2. Arkansas Strikes First
Despite offensive struggles in the first quarter, Arkansas eventually broke the deadlock midway through the second. Jefferson found his footing and connected with wide receiver Isaiah Sategna on a beautiful 40-yard touchdown pass. Sategna burned past Oklahoma State’s secondary, giving the Razorbacks a 7-3 lead and injecting some life into the offense.
The touchdown was a wake-up call for Oklahoma State’s defense, which stiffened after the score, preventing Arkansas from capitalizing further before halftime.
3. Oklahoma State Responds with a Key Drive
Just when it seemed like Arkansas was starting to take control, the Cowboys responded late in the second quarter with a crucial drive of their own. Alan Bowman found his rhythm and connected on a series of short passes, moving the ball methodically down the field. The drive culminated in a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Ollie Gordon, who powered through the Arkansas defensive line to give Oklahoma State a 10-7 lead just before the half.
Gordon’s touchdown was pivotal, as it gave the Cowboys much-needed momentum heading into the locker room.
4. Back-and-Forth Second Half
The third quarter saw both offenses come to life, as the Cowboys and Razorbacks traded scores in what became a thrilling back-and-forth battle. Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders scored on a 25-yard run, reclaiming the lead for the Razorbacks at 14-10. Sanders’ ability to find open lanes gave Arkansas renewed confidence, but the Cowboys refused to back down.
Oklahoma State answered with another impressive drive, as Bowman connected with wide receiver Brennan Presley for a 30-yard touchdown, putting the Cowboys back on top 17-14. The remainder of the third quarter featured several defensive stops, with both teams adjusting to the newfound offensive tempo.
5. Clutch Play from KJ Jefferson
As the game entered the fourth quarter, KJ Jefferson proved why he’s one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the SEC. Facing a critical third-and-long situation, Jefferson evaded pressure and launched a deep pass to tight end Luke Hasz, who hauled in a 45-yard catch. The clutch play set up Arkansas in the red zone, and Jefferson finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Hasz, giving the Razorbacks a 21-17 lead with just five minutes remaining.
6. Oklahoma State’s Last-Minute Heroics
With the game on the line, Oklahoma State mounted a final drive that will be remembered by fans for years. Bowman calmly led the Cowboys down the field, hitting Presley and Gordon on crucial passes. Inside the final minute, the Cowboys found themselves in the red zone, but Arkansas’s defense held firm. Facing fourth down and with no timeouts left, Bowman lobbed a perfectly placed pass to Presley, who made an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone, giving Oklahoma State a 24-21 lead with just 20 seconds remaining.
However, Arkansas wasn’t done yet.
7. Razorbacks Force Overtime
In an incredible turn of events, Jefferson quickly led Arkansas into field goal range in the final seconds of regulation. Kicker Cam Little nailed a 45-yard field goal as time expired, sending the game into overtime tied at 24-24.
8. Double Overtime Drama
Both teams scored in the first overtime, with Jefferson running in a touchdown for Arkansas and Bowman finding Presley again for Oklahoma State. Tied 31-31 going into the second overtime, the Cowboys’ defense finally made the decisive play of the game. On Arkansas’s first possession of the second OT, defensive end Collin Oliver sacked Jefferson on third down, forcing a long field goal attempt. Little’s kick sailed wide right, giving the Cowboys a golden opportunity to win.
Oklahoma State kicker Alex Hale calmly nailed a 35-yard field goal, sealing the 34-31 win for the Cowboys and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Conclusion
Oklahoma State’s 34-31 victory over Arkansas in double overtime was a thrilling game that featured clutch performances, game-changing plays, and late-game heroics. Both teams showed incredible resilience, but in the end, the Cowboys made the plays when it mattered most to hold off the Razorbacks. Alan Bowman and Brennan Presley were the stars for Oklahoma State, while KJ Jefferson’s efforts kept Arkansas in the game until the final moments. This contest will be remembered as one of the highlights of the season for both programs.