Eric Boggs 
Utah won their Big XII debut on the road in Stillwater, OK.
In a thrilling Big 12 debut, the No. 12 Utah Utes held off a late surge from the No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys to secure a 22-19 victory on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. Micah Bernard was the driving force for Utah, rushing for a career-high 182 yards and helping the Utes run out the clock after Oklahoma State’s frantic comeback attempt.
Utah (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) entered its first Big 12 game after leaving the Pac-12 and got off to a strong start. The Utes turned the ball over three times in the first half but still took a 10-3 lead into halftime. Freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson, filling in for injured starter Cam Rising, threw for 207 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 yards on the ground. Wilson’s ability to make plays under pressure helped keep Utah’s offense moving despite Cowboys safety Trey Rucker intercepting him twice in the first half.
Bernard, along with tight end Brant Kuithe, who scored two touchdowns, provided the offensive spark for Utah. Kuithe’s second score, a direct snap from the 1-yard line, gave Utah a comfortable 16-3 lead in the second half.
Oklahoma State (3-1, 0-1) struggled for much of the game, particularly on offense. Quarterback Alan Bowman, who started the game but was benched after an ineffective first half, returned midway through the fourth quarter to lead a furious comeback. Bowman passed for two touchdowns and two two-point conversions in the final minutes, cutting Utah’s lead to just three points. He finished with 206 passing yards but threw two costly interceptions in the first half.
The Cowboys’ star running back Ollie Gordon II, last year’s Doak Walker Award winner, was limited to just 42 rushing yards on the day, as Utah’s defense kept Oklahoma State in check. Gordon was a non-factor for most of the game, carrying the ball only six times for 16 yards in the first half.
Utah’s defense, missing starters Connor O’Toole and Karene Reid, still managed to stifle Oklahoma State, forcing eight punts and holding the Cowboys to 285 total yards. Despite allowing two late touchdowns, Utah made the critical play when they needed it most, recovering an onside kick with just under two minutes left to secure the win.
Oklahoma State’s offense struggled for most of the game, managing just seven three-and-outs and only getting key players involved late in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys came into the game averaging 42.7 points per game but were completely out of sync until Bowman’s return.
The Oklahoma State defense, however, played well enough to keep the team in the game. They pressured Wilson and forced three turnovers, but the offense’s inability to sustain drives ultimately led to the Cowboys’ first loss of the season. Defensive absences also plagued Oklahoma State, as starting right tackle Jake Springfield, along with linebackers Collin Oliver and Justin Wright, missed the game.
Injuries further compounded OSU’s problems, as star wide receiver Brennan Presley left the game late after helmet-to-helmet contact that was reviewed but not ruled targeting. Defensive back Trey Rucker and linebacker Jeff Roberson also left the game briefly due to hydration issues on a sweltering day, with temperatures soaring to 100 degrees at kickoff and 161 degrees on the turf.
For Utah, this victory marks a successful start to Big 12 conference play, with tougher challenges still ahead. Despite turnovers and missed opportunities, the Utes showed resilience, relying on a balanced attack to keep control of the game.
Up next, Utah hosts Arizona in another pivotal Big 12 matchup, while Oklahoma State looks to bounce back when they visit Kansas State.
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