STILLWATER — Going on the road and getting embarrassed by a national title contender is a punch in the gut. Looking like you can’t keep up with a Group of Five opponent is a punch, too, but a little lower.
Tulsa was in command much of the night and closed out a 19-12 win over Oklahoma State on Friday night at Boone Pickens Stadium.
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Coming off the 69-3 debacle in Oregon, the Cowboys had an extra week to recover, regroup and prepare for their lower-level in-state opposition, but Tulsa seemed to have the better game plan and the more physical fronts.
If OSU football coach Mike Gundy’s seat was hot after the loss at Oregon, it blew the top off the thermometer Friday night with OSU’s first loss to Tulsa since 1998 and first in Stillwater since 1951.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
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Oklahoma State rallies, but can’t finish
Tulsa scored on each of its first four possessions to take a 16-3 lead at the half, and didn’t punt until late in the third quarter. OSU rallied behind the rejuvenated run game of Rodney Fields Jr. and sharp passing of quarterback Zane Flores.
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But when Flores threw incomplete behind Fields on a fourth-and-5 pass that would’ve kept a potential game-tying drive alive late in the fourth quarter, it felt as though the Cowboys’ dream of a comeback had died.
From there, with the Cowboys out of timeouts, Tulsa ran all but 30 seconds off the clock.
Facing desperation mode, Flores connected with Sam Jackson V, who made an incredible catch that required an extended review to determine if Jackson had held onto the throw as he fell out of bounds.
After a throw to Fields and a spike to stop the clock, OSU stood 42 yards from the end zone with 12 seconds on the clock. A Hail Mary fell incomplete, and a short pass that set up a lateral play came up short when Gavin Freeman was tackled about 10 yards short of the end zone.
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More: Oklahoma State football vs Tulsa recap: TU earns first win in Stillwater since 1951
Zane Flores sharp, except for a couple throws
Flores had a mostly consistent performance in the first home start of his career, finishing 25 of 40 for 215 yards. He also rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts.
Flores misfired only a couple of times, but they were in crucial moments.
The two biggest ones were to Fields. Flores threw behind him when OSU had a screen pass set up in the second quarter that would have gone for significant yardage.
And with Fields running a wheel route to Flores’ left on the late fourth-and-5 play, Flores’ throw was behind his running back once again.
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Otherwise, Flores was fairly accurate, but hurt by some drops on well-placed throws.
Fields was strong in his first career start, going for 113 yards on 17 carries.
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Tulsa running back Braylin Presley (1) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and Tulsa at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Dominic Richardson, Braylin Presley succeed vs. former team
A pair of former Cowboys found success in their return to Boone Pickens Stadium.
Tulsa running back Dominic Richardson heard his number called several times, and surpassed the 100-yard mark on his first carry of the fourth quarter. Richardson finished with 146 yards on 31 carries, but also fumbled once late in the third quarter.
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Braylin Presley, who saw limited action in his lone season at OSU in 2022, put Tulsa’s first points on the board. He slipped into open space and caught a 19-yard pass from Baylor Hayes.
Presley rushed for 32 yards on three carries and caught two passes for 34 and a touchdown.
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OSU starts fast, fizzles in first half
The Oklahoma State offense looked primed for a big day on its opening drive of the game.
Flores completed 3 of 4 passes and Fields had 31 yards on three carries as OSU zipped into Tulsa territory.
The drive stalled and the Pokes settled for a field goal, but it felt like they were primed for a successful day.
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But the Cowboys’ next four possessions netted just 45 yards and four first downs.
The running lanes and passing pocket that had existed on the opening drive disappeared, with Flores facing consistent pressure and the run game hitting a wall.
By halftime, Tulsa had outgained OSU 266-117 and their 19 points proved enough to hold on for the victory.
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Markell Samuel absent again, Kalib Hicks doesn’t play
Oklahoma State remained without starting left tackle Markell Samuel, who suffered a foot injury the day before the Oregon game two weeks ago. Once again, redshirt freshman Nuku Mafi slotted in as the starter at left tackle.
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Two players injured at Oregon returned to action Friday in running back Trent Howland and tight end Quinton Stewart. Both players exited with lower-leg injuries at Oregon.
Though no official announcement was made regarding an injury to running back Kalib Hicks, he did not see the field.
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Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football suffers first home loss vs Tulsa since 1951