The Arizona Wildcats pulled off a gritty victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday afternoon, handing the visitors a tough 28-24 loss in Tucson. It was one of those games that had everything—turnovers, big plays, and a crowd roaring from start to finish at Arizona Stadium. Kicking off at noon MST on TNT Sports, the matchup lived up to the Big 12 hype, even if both teams entered with questions hanging over their seasons.
Oklahoma State, coming off a shaky stretch, leaned heavily on their ground game early. Quarterback Alan Bowman connected on 18 of 25 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, but interceptions at key moments proved costly. Indeed, the Cowboys' defense struggled to contain Arizona's speedy receivers, allowing 320 passing yards. Arizona's Noah Fifita threw for three scores, including a dagger 45-yard bomb in the fourth quarter that sealed the deal. The Wildcats' rushing attack added 145 yards, with running back Justice Haywood grinding out tough yards when it mattered most.
However, it wasn't all smooth for Arizona. Penalties piled up—nine for 85 yards—and they coughed up the ball twice in the red zone. Oklahoma State clawed back from a 21-10 halftime deficit, tying it late in the third with a field goal drive that showed their resilience. Moreover, the heat in Tucson played a factor, sapping energy from both sides as the clock ticked down. Fifita's poise under pressure, though, tipped the scales.
This win boosts Arizona to 4-1 overall, keeping their conference dreams alive amid a tough schedule ahead. Oklahoma State drops to 2-3, and whispers about coaching adjustments are already starting. The Cowboys' skid raises eyebrows in Stillwater, where expectations run high. Yet, in college football's chaos, one game rarely defines a season.
What does this mean for the Big 12 race as October rolls on?