Drew Mestemaker fuels Oklahoma State football past WVU to end Big 12 drought | 5 takeaways

Morgantown, WV — After a drought of 1,036 days and 19 games without a Big 12 victory, Oklahoma State football emerged victorious against West Virginia in a 41-24 win. Sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker broke the losing streak, throwing for 389 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 10 passes for 20 or more yards, including five to fellow transfer Wyatt Young.

The era of quarterbacks Zane Flores, Garret Rangel, Sam Jackson V, Maealiuaki Smith, and Hauss Hejny had come to an end. Here are key takeaways from Oklahoma State's win against West Virginia:

1. Junior defensive end Keviyan Huddleston played a crucial role in the defense by tipping a pass and intercepting it late in the second quarter, leading to a touchdown.

2. Sophomore Caleb Hawkins had an exceptional performance, rushing for 180 yards and a touchdown on 31 attempts (5.8 average), showcasing his potential as the top running back for the Cowboys.

3. Oklahoma State's defense struggled on third downs, which was exploited by West Virginia. The Mountaineers converted 9 of 17 third downs, converting nine of ten in a row at one point.

4. Junior linebacker Ben Hutchens highlighted the Cowboys' ability to match West Virginia's speed, allowing them to make crucial tackles and ultimately secure the win.

5. The downfield blocking by West Virginia's receivers was impressive, as they were able to block without holding. This contributed to the Mountaineers' elusive nature and limited tackles for the Cowboys.