Four Immediate Takeaways: Oklahoma State Football’s 66-28 Kansas State Rout

A commanding win and bowl berth

The result secured Oklahoma State’s first bowl berth since 2023. The program went 4-20 in 2024-25 before hiring head coach Eric Morris.

Defense responds after one breakdown

Oklahoma State held Kansas State to 183 total yards in the first half, forced two turnovers and stopped the Wildcats on downs twice. A 75-yard touchdown pass from Blake Barnett to Derek Salley Jr. accounted for much of that yardage.

The pass came after a coverage breakdown left Salley without a defender trailing him, while differing coverage on the two sides left a safety out of position. Afterward, the Cowboys stuck to their assignments, limited the Wildcats’ running game and pressured Barnett into mistakes. Dillon Duff later replaced Barnett, who appeared to be banged up.

Kansas State converted 3 of 9 third downs and none of its two fourth-down attempts. Its longest drive lasted six plays, and it averaged 4.9 yards per play. Morris said the coaching staff had reviewed its own performance and simplified defensive assignments during the week.

Hawkins powers the offense

Caleb Hawkins finished with 175 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus six catches for 71 yards and another score. Oklahoma State held him out after three quarters, though he had fallen short of 200 rushing yards.

Hawkins passed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, reaching that mark for the second time in his career. Across his last four games, he has 557 rushing yards and 349 receiving yards, with eight total touchdowns.

Fields intercepts former teammate

Kansas State quarterback Blake Barnett threw two interceptions. On his second, LaDainian Fields intercepted a deep pass intended for Rodney Fields Jr. and returned it 27 yards to the Kansas State 17.