Aug 31, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back J.D. King (27) runs the ball for a touchdown, defended by Tulsa Golden Hurricane cornerback Kerwin Thomas (2) during the first half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Photo Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
STILLWATER, Okla. — For openers, Oklahoma State sought a statement.
It was delivered, immediate and decisive, as the No. 10-ranked Cowboys routed Tulsa 59-24 on Thursday night.
Oklahoma State, before a sellout crowd of 56,790 at Boone Pickens Stadium, confirmed its big-play offense and its early high placement in the polls.
The Golden Hurricane, coming off a 10-win season, entered the game with questions at quarterback and exited without any revelations at the position.
Tulsa was looking to make a statement, too, facing a Power 5 opponent and in-state opponent that commands more of the spotlight. Instead, the Golden Hurricane lost their 24th straight game against a top 10 opponent.
The Cowboys totaled 640 yards and averaged 10.2 yards per play. Of their eight touchdowns, five covered 40 yards or more, including a defensive score.
Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph opened a possible Heisman Trophy campaign with a big night, completing 20-of-24 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
James Washington, the headliner of a touted receiver group, caught six passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard bomb in the second quarter.
Tailback Justice Hill ran for 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State nearly produced three 100-yard rushers. Freshman tailback J.D. King added 95 yards and a touchdown, and redshirt freshman LD Brown finished with 92 yards and a score.
Even the defense got in on the big-play scoring, with linebacker Kenneth Edison-McGruder romping 82 yards with a fumble return.
Tulsa used both quarterbacks competing to replace record-setter Dane Evans, with Chad President drawing the start, with relief from Luke Skipper.
President played the most, finishing 18-of-35 passing for 178 yards. Tailback Corey Taylor II ran for 111 yards and two scores.
The Cowboys led 21-0 after three possessions — and three big plays.
On the game’s opening possession, Rudolph took Oklahoma State 74 yards, completing 4 of 5 passes (with the incompletion a drop). The final connection covered 44 yards to receiver Tyron Johnson, who scored his first touchdown for the Cowboys.
Rudolph was firing again soon, sending Oklahoma State in front 14-0 with a 40-yard strike to Washington.
Then it was Hill on a 3-yard scoring run after a 49-yard catch and run by receiver Marcell Ateman.
After failing to reach Oklahoma State territory in the first quarter, Tulsa found some life in an Oklahoma State mistake.
Jalen McCleskey, back on a punt return, chased a bounding ball inside his own 5, retrieved it, then fumbled, leaving Golden Hurricane long snapper Adam Higuera to pounce on it for a Tulsa touchdown.
King almost immediately restored the three-touchdown lead, romping 71 yards on a run up the middle for a score. But Tulsa responded with its first sustained drive, marching 75 yards with running back Taylor scoring on a 3-yard run.
Oklahoma State added a field goal and another Washington deep strike, a 77-yard touchdown reception from Rudolph to lead 38-17 at the half.
NOTES: Oklahoma State and Tulsa, separated by 69 miles of turnpike, have played 72 times. The Cowboys own a 40-27-5 edge in the series and are 25-6-3 in games played in Stillwater. OSU has won six straight dating to 1999. The only school Oklahoma State has faced more than Tulsa is Oklahoma. For Tulsa, Oklahoma State and Arkansas are tied for its longest series. … The game was officially ruled a sellout at 56,790. … Oklahoma State nearly had as many first downs (16) as Tulsa had points (17) in the opening half.
