The theme was pounded into the minds of Oklahoma State players all spring and summer as they prepared for the 2007 season.

Six minutes.

OSU coaches estimated that a brief period separated the Cowboys from a 7-6 season in 2006 to a possible nine- or 10-win season. Late defensive breakdowns cost OSU against Kansas State and Texas A&M. The inability to get into the end zone in the final seconds prevented wins against Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

"That was drilled into our heads, whether it was in the weight room or in meetings," running back Dantrell Savage said. "Six minutes killed us last year. That why we have the motto of 'Finish' this year."

Saturday's game against Texas Tech was the first time the motto was put to the test. The visiting Red Raiders took a 45-42 lead with 4:49 left. OSU went out and demonstrated it had learned its lesson.

Both the offense and defense exorcised those past demons. Sandwiched between Zac Robinson's go-ahead 54-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew were two huge defensive stands.

First, the defense held the potent Red Raiders without a first down and forced a punt with less than two minutes left. Robinson promptly responded with the touchdown pass to give OSU the lead with 1:37 left.

Still, the defense knew it had to accept the challenge of stopping Tech one more time.

Surviving a barrage of three passes intended for the end zone in the final minute proved OSU is indeed capable of finishing.

"It feels a lot better when things go your way," defensive end Nathan Peterson said. "We've been on the other end of that deal plenty of times."

It remains uncertain if the result proves to be a turning point. But winning a game decided in the final seconds shows, for now, that the Cowboys season is far from finished.