The Cowboys (1-2) trailed 19-3 early in the third quarter but clawed to within seven points on Logan Ward's 49-yard field goal with 5:49 left. Oklahoma State got the ball back at its own 32-yard line with 26 seconds to play and no time outs but could not produce the needed magic. The Cowboys scored on the game's opening possession, moving 57 yards in nine plays to a 35-yard field goal from Ward and a 3-0 lead. The Golden Hurricane dominated the first half, outgaining Oklahoma State 266-117 with the majority of the advantage coming from outpassing the Cowboys 182-45. Morgan botted another 47-yard field goal to cap a 10-play, 46-yard drive on Tulsa's first possession of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 19-3.