OSU hangs on to defeat Texas A&M, 36-31

The Oklahoma State Cowboys used a tough running game and a defense that came through at crucial times to beat Texas A&M 36-31 at Kyle Field

It was the Aggies first loss in Big 12 South Division competition and the second straight loss for the season. The Aggies (3-2, 0-1 Big 12) missed their chance of making a definite statement after finishing last in 2008. Hopes of getting out of the Big 12 South cellar most likely will hinge on the Baylor game in November.

The Aggies had a chance to beat the Cowboys (4-1, 1-0 Big 12). They led early in the second quarter. However, they fell behind in the third. It looked like the momentum had turned at the end of the third, but Cowboy linebacker Donald Booker sacked Aggie quarterback Johnson for a nine-yard loss on fourth and five at the OSU 33. That forced kicker Bullock to kick a 50-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.

OSU responded with a drive that utilized 16 rushing plays. The drive used up more than seven minutes. That put the Cowboys up 36-25. That clinched the victory for the Cowboys.

OSU quarterback Zack Robinson got the Cowboys on the scoreboard first in the first quarter. He rushed for three yards for a TD. Then Johnson threw a 28-yard TD to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu for a TD. Momentum seemed to swing to the Aggies when Jaime McCoy scooped in a 15-yard TD from Johnson. The Aggies led at that point 15-7.

However, the Cowboys came back with 28-yard scoring strike from Robinson to wide receiver Hubert Anyiam to make the score 15-14. That stood until the third quarter when Traci Moore took a 51-yard pass from Robinson. The score stood at 21-15. The Cowboys never relinquished that lead.

After Bullock’s 50-yard field goal at the beginning the fourth quarter, the two teams traded touchdowns. But the Cowboys tough offensive line repeatedly pushed the Aggies defenders off the ball and kept the clock turning. The Cowboys had 171 yards running. OSU running back Keith Toston accounted for 131 of those yards on 26 carries. Quarterback Robinson threw for 278 yards on 14 completions and 25 attempts.

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Johnson completed 22 passes for 272 yards. He threw one TD. Freshman receiver Nwachukwu led the Aggie receivers with eight catches for 140 yards and one TD. Receiver Howard Morrow got one touchdown on four catches that accounted for 47 yards.

Next week the Aggies face the Kansas State University Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

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