Around the Big 12: Week 9 (Football)
In Week 8, the Big 12 provided some entertaining football.
No. 6 Oklahoma State (4-0) knocked off number No. 23 Iowa State (3-2) 24-21. Neither team's offense stood out, but Oklahoma State’s quarterback Spencer Sanders and running back Chuba Hubbard played an instrumental part in the victory.
Sanders looked rusty in his first game, throwing two interceptions since sustaining a high ankle sprain on Sept. 19 vs Tulsa. Nevertheless, the talented quarterback completed 20 of 29 pass attempts for 235 yards and one touchdown. Hubbard continued his dominance on the ground, rushing for 139 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries.
On the other side, missed field goals killed Iowa State. Kicker Connor Assalley missed a 48-yard attempt in the first quarter and hit the upright on a 33-yard attempt in the second quarter.
Despite the missed opportunities, Iowa State remained in the game as running back Breece Hall averaged 9.3 yards per rush attempt on his 185 yard performance. Along with quarterback Brock Purdy connecting with wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson eight times for 68 yards and one touchdown, the Cyclones were within seven points late in the fourth quarter. But a failed onside kick would seal the win for Oklahoma State.
No. 16 Kansas State (4-1) demolished Kansas (0-5) in the Sunflower Showdown, 55-14. Kansas State dominated on both sides of the field. Freshman quarterback Will Howard led the way on offense, completing 17 of 24 pass attempts for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition, special teams played a pivotal role for Kansas State. Phillip Brooks returned four punts for a school-record of 189 yards with two touchdowns.
Kansas struggled to muster any momentum throughout the game. The Kansas State defense gave a warm welcome to freshman quarterback Jalon Daniels, limiting him to 207 yards on 22 of 39 pass attempts. Not to mention sacking Daniels four times and Keyon Mozee taking an interception to the house.
No. 24 Oklahoma (3-2) capped off its seventh straight win versus TCU (1-3) by a final score of 33-14. Oklahoma cruised to victory, led by its tandem of quarterback Spencer Rattler and stellar defense.
Rattler continued his dominance through the air, completing 13 of 22 pass attempts and two touchdowns in a 332 yard performance. Rattler enjoyed connecting with his wide receiver Marvin Mims.
Mims recorded two touchdowns and 132 yards on four receptions. On the ground, T.J. Pledger assisted nicely, rushing for 122 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. But kicker Gabe Brkic gets some love too for drilling 4-5 field goals and converting on all three extra point kicks.
For TCU, its offense could be best described as lackluster. Quarterback Max Duggan felt pressure from the Oklahoma defense throughout the game, resulting in him being sacked four times. Duggan completed 25 of 35 pass attempts for 276 yards and one touchdown.
Besides that, the only other points TCU’s offense produced was a Daimarqua Foster rushing touchdown out of the wildcat formation.
Texas (3-2) defeated Baylor (1-2), 27-16. The Bears hadn't played in twenty one days due to COVID-19 troubles, and Sam Ehlinger and the rest of his Texas teammates took advantage of an unprepared Baylor squad.
The Longhorns offense produced 429 offensive yards and limited the Baylor offense to five third down conversions on 14 attempts. Give the Bears credit for hanging around in the game, but ultimately the time off had an impact on their performance.
Staying in the state of Texas, Texas State (2-3) defeated West Virginia (3-2), 34-27. Throughout the game it was a back and forth contest, whether it was the two quarterbacks Henry Colombi (Texas State) and Jarret Doege (West Virginia) or the defensive units for both schools.
However, West Virginia’s fortunes plummeted on a late fourth quarter drive with the game knotted at 27. Texas Tech defensive back Zech McPhearson scooped up a fumble and took it to the house for the eventual game winning play.
Enjoy this week's slate of Big 12 action on Halloween day.
Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hessionjordan@gmail.com.
