BIG 12/CONFERENCE USA

Late TD pass helps Oklahoma State dodge defeat

STILLWATER, Okla. - Mike Gundy was just as baffled as everyone else watching Oklahoma State’s offensive struggles for much of the second half against Kansas State.

The Cowboys’ coach, however, wasn’t about to complain about the late burst that led to a 33-29 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday.

Led by J.W. Walsh’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Moore with 4:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, No. 21 Oklahoma State (4-1, 1-1) narrowly avoided its second consecutive loss and remained in the thick of the Big 12 Conference race.

The Cowboys fell behind 29-23 late in the fourth quarter. A six-play, 75-yard scoring drive - engineered by Walsh - came only after the Cowboys had fallen behind and watched as several scoring opportunities resulted in only field goals.

Afterward, Gundy had one wish looking back on the go-ahead drive.

“Whoever flipped the switch, I wish they’d flip it earlier,” Gundy said. “I don’t know what to say. It was very well executed; guys made plays.”

While Oklahoma State breathed a sigh of relief, Kansas State was left to again ponder what might have been despite the emergence of Daniel Sams at quarterback.

Sams, who had attempted only four passes entering the game, accounted for 299 yards of total offense and three touchdowns for the Wildcats (2-3, 0-2), but he also threw three interceptions - two of which came on Kansas State’s last two drives - and lost a fumble as the Wildcats lost their second consecutive game.

Sams entered the game having shared time with Jake Waters at quarterback this season. The sophomore played the majority of the game Saturday, finishing 15 of 21 passing for 181 yards with 2 touchdowns, and he had 118 yards rushing on 27 carries.

The effort was nearly enough to help the Wildcats overcome 12 penalties for 92 yards.

“We started him because we were trying to do some things that we knew he could do and get him invested collectively in the ballgame,”Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder said. “As you can see, he came in and threw the ball just fine. I certainly don’t like the interceptions.”

In other games involving Big 12 teams, freshman Baker Mayfield passed for 368 yards but was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury in the third quarter of No. 20 Texas Tech’s (5-0, 2-0) 54-16 victory over Kansas (2-2, 0-1) in Lawrence, Kan. ... Bryce Petty threw for 347 yards with two touchdowns and had one of Baylor’s eight rushing touchdowns as the No. 17 Bears (4-0, 1-0) kept up their big-scoring ways, beating West Virginia (3-3, 1-2) 73-42 in Waco, Texas.

CONFERENCE USA Carden leads E. Carolina

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Shane Carden had 365 yards passing and accounted for two touchdowns to help East Carolina edge Middle Tennessee 24-17 in a Conference USA matchup Saturday.

The Pirates (4-1, 2-0) scored the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Carden found Justin Hardy for a 21-yard strike.

The Blue Raiders (3-3, 1-1) got the ball with 5:16 remaining following a missed field goal by Warren Harvey, but Logan Kilgore was intercepted by Damon Magazu on the next play.

East Carolina milked the remaining five minutes during the ensuing series, driving 42 yards on 11 plays and converting three times on third down.

Carden was 43-for-57 passing and also rushed for a score in the second quarter for the Pirates.

Kilgore was 28-for-37 with 245 yards and two interceptions. He connected with Tavarres Jefferson for a 26-yard touchdown to tie the game late in the third.

In other games involving Conference USA teams, Rakeem Cato threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns and Marshall (3-2, 1-0) intercepted three passes in a 34-10 victory over UTSA (2-4, 1-1) in Huntington, W.Va. … Taylor McHargue threw for two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, as visiting Rice (3-2, 2-0) withstood a Tulsa (1-4, 0-1) comeback to win 30-27. … Cairo Santos kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to lift Tulane (4-2, 2-0) over North Texas (2-3, 0-1) 24-21. … Jaquez Johnson piled up a career-high 404 yards of total offense and accounted for three touchdowns to lead Florida Atlantic (2-4, 1-3) to a 37-23 victory over UAB (1-4, 0-1). … Freshman Silas Spearman III rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns and Austin Taylor kicked a 27-yard field goal with 6:53 left in the game to give Florida International (1-4, 1-0) a 24-23 victory over Southern Miss (0-5, 0-1) in Hattiesburg, Miss. ... Kenneth Dixon (Strong) rushed for 200 yards to lead Louisiana Tech (2-4, 1-1) to a 38-35 victory over host Texas-El Paso (1-4, 0-2).

Sports, Pages 36 on 10/06/2013

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