Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/instacap-cowboys-pull-away-from-ucf-late-win-42-28/
Support PFB with a PFB+ membership — $8 a month or $50 for a year. STILLWATER — After arguably its worst first half of the entire year, Oklahoma State’s defense came through with the game-breaking play in the fourth quarter when safety Evan Jackson sprinted 28 yards into the end zone after scooping up a backward pass that hit the turf. scoop, there it is 
: ESPN2 | @TheEvanJackson https://twitter.com/CowboyFB/status/2108993164761514224/video/1 — OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 10, 2026 That touchdown and quarterback Drew Mestemaker’s successful 2-point run gave the Cowboys a 14-point lead with 10:32 to play. That forced UCF’s slower, more methodical offense to kick things into high gear, which prompted the Knights to go for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 34-yard line. After giving up the first three fourth-down attempts of the day, the Cowboy defense delivered again when Luke Webb grabbed hold of UCF running back Landen Chamber’s leg and wrestled him down for no gain. Oklahoma State’s 42-28 victory over UCF was a lot less stressful after that. Mestemaker completed 19-of-28 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Most of the QB’s attention (16 targets to be precise) was split between his favorite targets as receiver Justin Bowick…
Defensive discipline and effort wasn’t great today. I’m hopeful they were just shaking off some bye week cobwebs.
The Scoop and Score was the game changer that decided the game. Glad we won, but much to work on.
We need to get our first half defensive woes under control. We can’t keep giving up 21 points in the first half and then expect the defense to always hold up in the second half.
There is going to be a game where that’s not going to happen consistently. I’m glad we outscored them 21-7 in the second and the defense actually got a scoop and score. However, what happens if we have an extremely poor offensive performance in the first half?
Couldn’t agree more. Can’t rely on the offense to bail us out everytime. Defense needs to good all four quarters.
These slow starts are gonna be too much to overcome in a game eventually. The offense is kinda turnover-prone as well. I think it’s been at least one, usually multiple, in every game except FCS Murray St.
::EDIT:: Actually I just checked and Mestemaker had a fumble against Murray St. OSU has turned the ball over in every game, averaging 1.8 per game. That’s kind of depressing, but honestly, clean that up and we just might start housing everybody.
On a positive note, we’ve now match our win total (4) from the last two year combined.
Yeah, the defense can’t seem to stop anyone in the first half of games and the UCF offense was not some impressive machine. It was a lot of dinking and dunking and running the ball. Poor positioning and poor tackling, some overpursuing.
On a personal note, though, I’ve had a hard time warming up to this new team even though they’re looking good and exciting, it’s not really about the team, though, more the general state of college football that’s turned me off. However, going to a game and making the UCF fans sitting next to me regret their life choices has really rejuvenated my fandom.