Four Immediate Takeaways: Oklahoma State Football’s 52-27 Loss to Texas Tech

A disastrous opening quarter

Texas Tech struck immediately when Malcolm Simmons returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. J’Koby Williams added a 34-yard scoring run, and after Drew Mestemaker threw an interception, Terrence Carter Jr. caught another touchdown pass.

With 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Red Raiders led 21-0. Mestemaker was playing with a shoulder injury, while Oklahoma State’s early mistakes left it facing a steep deficit.

Oklahoma State’s brief rally

The Cowboys responded with points on four of their five second-half possessions, according to the report, while their defense forced four punts and a fumble. The article also says Oklahoma State was down 28-20 at halftime, making the second quarter a significant rebound from its start.

Texas Tech disrupted the offense

Texas Tech contained Oklahoma State’s outside zone-read running game, making most of Caleb Hawkins’ gains difficult. Hawkins led the Cowboys in receptions as the wide receivers struggled to get open.

The Red Raiders’ pass rush also kept Mestemaker under pressure from the edge and inside. He appeared uncomfortable in the pocket throughout the game, even after regaining some arm strength following an early hit.

Momentum faded after halftime

Oklahoma State received the ball to open the third quarter, but its first drive ended with failed attempts on third and fourth down. Texas Tech answered with a 45-yard touchdown pass on the next play, extending its lead to 35-20.

On a later possession, the Cowboys reached the Texas Tech 25-yard line but came up short on fourth-and-3 when Mestemaker ran for the first down. The report describes that as another missed chance to build on the halftime rally.