Oklahoma State Football: Winners and Losers from Cowboys' Win vs. Texas A&M

Oklahoma State’s win on Saturday over Texas A&M was one for the ages, and now it’s time to decide who was helped and who was hurt by the 30-29 outcome.

In the first half, Oklahoma State collapsed in on itself like a dying star, while Texas A&M did whatever it wanted to the Cowboys.

The second half was the exact opposite.

It was one of the most tumultuous games you’ll ever watch, and it produced definitive winners and losers.

Here are the biggest of each.

Winner: Brandon Weeden

The senior quarterback completed 47 of 60 passes for 438 yards and two scores against the Aggies.

The 438 yards is a school record, and the efficiency (78 percent completion rate), when compared with the sheer number of passes thrown, is remarkable.

Weeden also broke his bad habit of throwing interceptions this season, rebounding from a less-than-good first half with an extremely proficient second-half showing.

Weeden has increased his chances as a dark-horse Heisman contender, improving his career road record to 8-0.

It also helps that it was on national network television.

Loser: Ryan Tannehill

I can’t help but feel sorry for this kid.

Ryan Tannehill is an extremely efficient quarterback (67 percent completion rate this season), which showed in the first half, as he led his team to a 20-3 halftime lead with one touchdown pass and one touchdown run.

The second half was a different story.

Tannehill threw three interceptions, and, although he did throw another touchdown pass, was unable to get Texas A&M’s offense going.

He looked frustrated, and he should be. If he’d won this one, he would have received some Heisman talk himself.

Instead, he must now overcome one of the most emotionally-draining losses in school history.

Winner: Big 12

Not only did the Big 12 avoid destruction this week, but it also showed that the team it’s losing isn’t its best.

The Big 12 looks much better, now that Texas A&M is 0-1 in conference play.

It would not have reflected well upon the conference if A&M had come anywhere near winning it. It now appears they won’t.

The game also made the conference’s loyal-ish child Oklahoma State look good, and, hey, the actions of children reflect the parent, right?

Loser: Cyrus Gray

Cyrus Gray has been considered one of the best, if not the best, running backs in the Big 12 this season. 

In his first two games, he rushed for over 230 yards and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma State’s defense had other ideas, holding Gray to just 13 carries for 35 yards (a 2.7 yards per carry average).

They also hemmed in Gray’s receiving abilities (three receptions for just nine yards).

It will take awhile for Gray to gain back the attention he would have received from a better showing in this game.

But, he is the real deal, so he will bounce back.

Winner: Oklahoma State Defense

After giving up more than 300 yards of total offense in just one half, Oklahoma State’s defense had apparently had enough.

They forced four Texas A&M turnovers, shutting out the Aggies completely in the third quarter and allowing just seven points in the entire second half.

They also forced A&M to march down the field for their lone second-half touchdown, which was a key in getting the clock down to where it needed to be for OkState’s offense to run it out.

This is a unit that gets ragged on a lot, and, many times, for good reason.

But, this week they can hold their heads high from a job very well done.

Loser: Oklahoma State’s Team Rushing Stats

This might be trivial, but it’s true. It was necessary to get the safety on the final play, to run out the clock and keep the ball secure.

But it was a 39-yard loss on the play.

Oklahoma State rushed for a mere 46 yards, thanks to that play. Take out that play, and a couple of sacks, and you’ve got over 100 yards rushing.

But that’s life.

Sorry, OkState rushing stats, but it had to be you to take the hit on this one. But, I think you’d agree that it was worth it.