In an unexpectedly wild Week 2 matchup, No. 16-ranked Oklahoma State outlasted Arkansas to win 39-31 in double overtime. The Razorbacks started strong, but the Cowboys marched back to take the lead in the fourth quarter and eventually win after multiple overtime periods.
Arkansas, which was expected to finish near the bottom of the SEC, looked like a live underdog on Saturday and led 21-7 at halftime.
A second-half charge by Oklahoma State left the game knotted at 28-28 with the Cowboys driving for the win late. But several penalties and bad decisions forced them into a fourth-and-4 while they tried to burn the remaining time off the clock — much to OSU coach Mike Gundy’s visible frustration — and they settled for a 38-yard field goal kicker Logan Ward to lead 31-28 with 59 seconds left.
Arkansas marched down the field with and kicker Kyle Ramsey made a 45-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime.
Arkansas started with the ball in the first overtime but was stopped by the Cowboys’ defense and Ramsey missed the 46-yard field goal.
OSU’s overtime drive didn’t go much better, as the Razorbacks stopped the Cowboys and forced them to go for a field goal on fourth-and-9. Ward, who had been so clutch earlier in the game, missed the 41-yard attempt to send the game to double overtime.
The Cowboys got the ball first in the second overtime and initially struggled to move the ball, but an unnecessary roughness penalty on Arkansas moved Oklahoma State into the red zone. Running back Ollie Gordon II scored twice — once on 12-yard touchdown run, and once on a catch from Alan Bowman for the two-point conversion — to take the lead. Arkansas got close to returning the favor, but couldn’t get the final yard on a fourth-and-1 to end the game.
It made for some of the best action of the morning to kick off Week 2 of the college football season.
The Razorbacks got off to a fast start, getting two touchdowns in the first quarter off of running back Ja’Quinden Jackson.
Oklahoma State followed it up with a pick-six from cornerback Kale Smith to put points on the board. But it didn’t take long for Arkansas to respond again, with Jackson getting his third touchdown of the day.
In the third quarter, a key Arkansas fumble was recovered by Oklahoma State, opening the door, but the Cowboys had to settle for another field goal, bringing the score to 21-13.
Arkansas’ missed field goal attempt and muffed punt return gave Oklahoma State a lucky break as the Cowboys were able to recover their own punt. With the ball suddenly back in their hands — and with great field possession — Bowman was able to get an easy pass for the touchdown. A successful two-point conversion tied the game, 21-21.
The Cowboys then got a huge stop on defense, forcing Arkansas to turn over on downs. From there, Bowman threw a massive 64-yard flea flicker to fullback Jake Schultz to get OSU in scoring range. Receiver Brennan Presley ran in for another touchdown to take the 28-21 lead.
But the Razorbacks fought back, getting a touchdown in less than two minutes off a wide-open pass to tight end Luke Hasz, tying things up at 28-28 and setting the stage for the final moments.
Despite the loss, Arkansas’ first two games have been a strong showing, particularly for disgraced former head coach and current offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Under Petrino, the Razorbacks have been an efficient offense, buoyed by Jackson, who finished with 24 carries for 149 yards. However, there are certainly some wrinkles to iron out, with a handful of messy fumbles and mistakes threatening Arkansas’ success as the game went on.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, survives by the skin of its teeth. Although the Cowboys did not end up with the loss, the game was initially reminiscent of last year, when OSU suffered a humiliating 33-7 loss to Southern Alabama in Week 2. Luckily for the Cowboys, though, they stay 2-0 heading into Week 3.