No. 11 Oklahoma State defeated West Virginia 24-3 on Saturday. The Cowboys defense was dominant throughout and Spencer Sanders and the offense performed well enough against a tough Mountaineers defense to coast to a comfortable win.

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Oklahoma State’s defense was suffocating, holding West Virginia to just 2-of-14 on third down and forcing six three-and-outs. The Mountaineers mustered just 133 total yards, the lowest allowed by OSU since allowing just 139 against Savannah State in 2012. OSU has held offenses below their scoring average in 18 of the last 20 games.

The Mountaineers did strike first, kicking a field goal on the game’s opening drive and then forced the Cowboys into a three-and-out on their first drive and forced a turnover on the next. It was a completely different game after that.

After giving up three on the first possession, the Cowboys defense didn’t allow another point. Jim Knowles’ group clamped down on West Virginia’s second drive and forced three-straight three-and-outs and then what was essential a fourth when Brock Martin’s sack took the will out of the Mountaineers who decided to take a need on third-down to end the half.

Spencer Sanders started out the game 14-of-19 in the for 116 yards and a touchdown, but a tipped pass/interception marred his otherwise efficient first half.

But directly following that turnover, the Cowboys almost forced another. Jason Taylor II is a football magnet. Devin Harper’s eyes got big and he was thinking scoop-and-score, which allowed WVU to recover the ball — after losing 27 yards on the play.

In the second half, Sanders added a handful of huge plays, including a pair of TDs to Tay Martin. Sanders finished 21-of-31 for 182 yards, two TDs and an interception. His top target was Martin, the first-down machine, hauled in seven catches for 63 yards and those two scores.

Long live the corner fade.

West Virginia’s Jarrett Doege might have nightmares that feature Devin Harper, Tyler Lacy and friends. Oklahoma State recorded a season-high eight sacks (the most since at least 2008) and Doege went just 15-of-22 for 109 yards, no scores and a pick. The Cowboys won the turnover battle 2-1.

Special Teams plays were significant. Twice West Virginia punter Tyler Sumpter pinned OSU within its own 5-yard line and both possessions ended in a punt. But another punt led to OSU start at the Mountaineers’ 26-yard line. This possession would end in the Cowboys’ second TD.

Next up, the Cowboys return home for a matchup with TCU on Saturday.

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