Mistakes doom OSU in loss at Kansas State

BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Sunday, November 04, 2012
11/04/12 at 6:52 AM

For more OSU stories.Original Print Headline: Mistakes doom Cowboys

MANHATTAN, Kan. - It was said by just about everyone in the Oklahoma State program that the Cowboys would have to play mistake-free football in order to defeat a Kansas State team that rarely beats itself.

Put this game in the easier-said-than-done file.

Kansas State made OSU pay for big errors and scooted to a 44-30 nationally televised victory Saturday night at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

The Cowboys finished the game without starting quarterback Wes Lunt, who left the game in the third quarter with symptoms associated with a possible concussion. During a radio broadcast, OSU sideline reporter Robert Allen said Lunt was nauseated and was having difficulty seeing.

Kansas State, ranked second in the BCS standings and third in the Associated Press poll, improved to 9-0 for third time since 1998 and 6-0 in Big 12 games.

Road games at TCU and Baylor and a home finale against Texas are the only hurdles separating Bill Snyder's team and Heisman Trophy frontrunner Collin Klein from a conference title and a possible spot in the national championship game. But how healthy is Klein? Like Lunt, he left the game in the third quarter and did not return.

Oklahoma State, which had hoped to spoil K-State's dream season just like Iowa State sabotaged OSU's season last November, dropped to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in league games. The Cowboys will have to wait another week to try to clinch a seventh consecutive bowl trip.

The Cowboys knew there were things they could not afford to do if they were going to win in Manhattan for only the second time since Mike Gundy was a junior quarterback in 1988.

And they did them anyway.

OSU committed five turnovers (three in the first half) and Kansas State transformed them into 17 points. The turnover harvest included a pick-six by cornerback Allen Chapman, who intercepted Lunt twice.
The Cowboys committed penalties that aided Wildcat scoring drives.
And the Cowboys allowed Tyler Lockett to return a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

Yes, Desmond Roland neutralized the special teams touchdown when he returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a score.

But once OSU had permitted KSU to score defensive and special teams touchdowns, the Cowboys were - at least statistically - doomed.

Here's why: Since 1990, the Wildcats are 18-1 in games when they hit the daily double of scoring TDs on both defense and special teams.

Three of the turnovers came in the first half. The first was a Joseph Randle fumble. He was stripped by defensive tackle Travis Britz and the ball was recovered by free safety Ty Zimmerman at the OSU 29, setting up a five-play touchdown drive.

Lunt, who has thrown six interceptions (including two that were returned for TDs) in his two road starts, threw two interceptions in the first half.

OSU trailed 31-17 at halftime and opened the second half by moving the ball into KSU territory, but Lunt was intercepted a third time, this time by cornerback Nigel Malone. The Wildcats then zoomed 93 yards for a score and padded the margin to 38-17.

OSU backup quarterback Clint Chelf took over for Lunt with 9:43 remaining in the third quarter and directed three scoring drives - two that led field goals and one that resulted in a touchdown - before throwing a fourth-quarter interception.

Midway through the third quarter, Kansas State backup QB Daniel Sams replaced Klein, who rushed for 64 yards and hit 16-of-22 passes for 245 yards while improving to 20-4 as a starter. Sams directed two scoring drives (both resulted in field goals).

OSU controlled its destiny in the Big 12 race before visiting Kansas State. The Cowboys now are in fourth place in the league standings behind Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas.

KANSAS STATE 44, OKLAHOMA STATE 30

OSU	7	10	3	10	-	30
Kansas State	7	24	7	6	-	44

A: 50,781

First quarter

OSU: Hays 54 pass from Lunt (Sharp kick), 9:02

KSU: Hubert 1 run (Cantele kick), 5:58

Second quarter

KSU: Cantele 23 FG, 14:13

KSU: Hubert 5 run (Cantele kick), 10:51

OSU: Sharp 25 FG, 7:47

KSU: Lockett 100 KO return (Cantele kick), 7:35

OSU: Roland 80 KO return (Sharp kick), 7:24

KSU: Chapman 29 INT return (Cantele kick), 2:35

Third quarter

KSU: Klein 1 run (Cantele kick), (;47

OSU: Sharp 43 FG, 7:07

Fourth quarter

KSU: Cantele 37 FG, 14:50

OSU: Moore 13 pass from Chelf (Sharp kick), 13:06

KSU: Cantele 40 FG, 10:47

OSU: Sharp 28 FG, 8:32

Team statistics

	OSU	KSU
First downs	26	25
Rushing yards	87	191
Passing yards	417	290
Offensive plays	71	71
Total yards	504	481

Associated Images:

Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett, a Tulsa native, is tackled by OSU's Shaun Lewis on Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

OSU's Desmond Roland (right) celebrates with teammates after he returned a kickoff for a touchdown. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein (7) runs near the goal line against OSU. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World