Sep 10, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Jesse Kroll (88) passes the ball to Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (8) during the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Central Michigan won 30-27. Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
STILLWATER, Okla. — Central Michigan, literally out of time, stunned No. 22-ranked Oklahoma State on the final play of the game Saturday, completing a wild 30-27 upset at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The Cowboys were penalized for intentional grounding on a play designed to run out the clock. On fourth down with four seconds left from the Central Michigan 41, Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph let time run, then fired deep incomplete as time expired.
But the Cowboys were called for the penalty, giving the Chippewas one play and an untimed down from their own 49.
Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush fired deep to Jesse Kroll, who then lateraled to receiver Corey Willis, with Willis outracing Cowboys cornerback Ashton Lampkin into the end zone.
The wild ending wiped out an Oklahoma State rally, as the Cowboys went ahead on a touchdown with 5:12 remaining, then intercepted Rush’s pass with 3:10 remaining.
Rush passed for 361 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cowboys jumped to a 14-0 Rudolph’s two touchdown passes by Randolph.
Rudolph hit on three straight passes to jump-start the first scoring drive, the last to slot receiver Jalen McCleskey, who took a short pass and raced 26 yards down the sideline, putting the Cowboys up 7-0.
On its next possession, Oklahoma State drove 63 yards -– all through the air -– for another score. Rudolph fired 18 yards to tight end Zac Veatch to cover the final 18 for the touchdown, and the Cowboys were out to a strong start.
Rush and the Chippewas, however, finally got going.
After managing no first downs and 15 total yards on its first three possessions, Central Michigan marched 79 yards to its first touchdown.
Rush went 7-for-9 passing on the drive, completing with a 24-yard touchdown toss to Conklin on third-and-20. Rush rolled out, buying time and allowing Conklin to work free.
Both teams kicked second-quarter field goals and Oklahoma State led 17-10 at halftime.
Up next for Oklahoma State is a visit from Pittsburgh to Stillwater on Saturday. Central Michigan returns home to face UNLV.
NOTES: Oklahoma State backup kicker Matt Ammendola, getting an opportunity to utilize his big leg, booted a 53-yard field goal in the first half. The kick was three yards shy of the school record of 56 yards, set by Larry Roach against Kansas in 1981. … The teams rosters were constituted in far different ways. While Oklahoma State leans heavily on recruiting the state of Texas for its talent and lists only 19 players from Oklahoma, Central Michigan has built its team mostly in state, with 83 players from Michigan representing 79 percent of the roster. … The Cowboys last for the first time in six games against teams from the Mid-American Conference.
