Chuba Hubbard scored on a 23-yard run with 1:17 remaining to salvage a difficult afternoon and help No. 15 Oklahoma State beat West Virginia 27-13 on Saturday.
Sidelined for a number of key plays after fumbling on consecutive second-half possessions, Hubbard ended up with 101 yards on 22 rushes for his 12th 100-yard performance in his last 13 games. With the additional action, Hubbard's backup, L.D. Brown, gained 103 yards on 11 carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run, for Oklahoma State (2-0, 1-0 Big 12).
True freshman backup quarterback Shane Illingworth, in his first collegiate start, completed 15 of 21 passes for 139 yards, but also had an interception, for the Cowboys.
Jarret Doege threw for 285 yards and a touchdown for West Virginia (1-1, 0-1), which actually outgained Oklahoma State 353-342. Winston Wright had four catches for 103 yards, including a 70-yard score late in the second quarter.
West Virginia was hurt by several costly penalties, getting flagged 12 times for 106 yards.
Oklahoma State came through with a key turnover early in the second quarter. After defensive end Trace Ford forced a fumble by hitting Doege's arm while he was about to pass, Tyren Irby scooped up the loose ball in the backfield and raced 56 yards for the touchdown that made it 14-0.
TAKEAWAY
West Virginia: The Mountaineers moved the ball well throughout the first half and really appeared to be controlling the game, but they still trailed 20-7 at halftime despite holding significant advantages in yardage and total offensive plays. With five minutes left in the half, trailing 17-0, West Virginia had an edge in offensive plays of 39-21. Overall for the half, they led in total offense, 270-213, and that edge persisted throughout the entire game.
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Oklahoma State: It was a game-time decision, but starting quarterback Spencer Sanders ultimately did not play, due to a right foot injury suffered during the first quarter last week. Illingworth, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 74 yards to spark the comeback 16-7 victory over Tulsa, played the entire game and looked pretty good, managing the offense well. He was 10-for-15 for 102 yards in the first half, but outside of a 32-yard completion to Wallace in the first quarter, most of his passes were checked down underneath.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Oklahoma State will remain in the Top 20, but will likely drop a couple of spots after another unimpressive victory. West Virginia, which received votes and was just outside the Top 25, will probably drop further and not be back up for consideration for at least a couple more weeks.
UP NEXT
West Virginia returns home to take on Baylor next Saturday.
Oklahoma State heads out on the road next Saturday, visiting Kansas.
