No. 22 Oklahoma State defeated Texas A&M 31-23 in the Texas Bowl on Wednesday night. Rashod Owens had a career-high 164 yards receiving with two touchdowns, and Brennan Presley tied a school record with 16 receptions and 152 yards receiving.
The Doak Walker Award winner, Ollie Gordon II, added 118 yards of rushing to finish with 2,062 yards of offense to lead Oklahoma State (10-4) to double digit victories for the second time in three seasons following a 12-2 campaign in 2021. Alan Bowman completed his pass route with 402 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
The Aggies were up 31-23 with roughly five minutes remaining after a 51-yard field goal by Randy Bond cut Oklahoma State’s lead to 18 at the half. The Aggies (7-6) had another opportunity to score when the Cowboys missed a 47-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining. However, in the final play of the game, Kendal Daniels intercepted a pass intended for Marcel Reed close to the end zone.
During the opening play of the game, Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson was hurt and had to leave. After throwing a short pass, he was tackled and had his legs taken out from under him.
Taking over, Reed, a rookie who had only completed three passes this season, went on to throw for 361 yards and one interception.
Jimbo Fisher was fired with two games remaining in the regular season, and Texas A&M hired former Duke coach Mike Elko late last month to take his place. However, Elijah Robinson, the acting coach, handled the bowl game on Wednesday night instead of him, as he was leaving to take a position as Syracuse’s defensive coordinator.
Nonetheless, Elko was present in the building and participated in a brief interview that aired during the first half of the show.
After over a dozen players entered the transfer portal and several others—including standout receiver Ainias Smith—went down with injuries, the Aggies were operating with a depleted roster.
Dalton Brooks intercepted Bowman’s pass during the opening drive of the second half. Daniels’ 2-yard run to tie the score at 24-13 allowed the Aggies to capitalize on the mistake.
Owens’ second touchdown reception came on an 18-yard catch later in the third quarter, bringing the score to 31–13.
On the Aggies’ next possession, Reed raced 20 yards for a touchdown to bring the team within 31-20.
Amari Daniels lost a fumble on the 1-yard line following a 34-yard reception early in the fourth quarter while A&M was in driving position.
However, a few plays later, Bowman’s pass was intercepted by Sam Mathews, giving the Cowboys the lead back.
Following early field goals by both teams, the score was tied until Owens’ 13-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter put Oklahoma State ahead 10-3.
With roughly 9 1/2 minutes remaining in the second, the Aggies kicked another field goal, and then Gunnar Gundy scrambled 10 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 17-6. Receivers Presley and Owens connected for a 34-yard pass to set up that score.
Just before halftime, Gordon scored on a 1-yard run to put Oklahoma State ahead 24-6.