BIG 12
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OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
A little luck helps Cougars pull off upset
By Jeff Latzke Associated Press
STILLWATER, Okla. — Quarterback Case Keenum was listening in on a conversation in the Houston locker room before the game when someone suggested that the Cougars had worked hard enough that they didn't need any luck to upset No. 5 Oklahoma State.
Keenum had to interject. He turned to running back Bryce Beall to say, "I wouldn't mind some luck."
"It's football. If you keep playing, plays like that are going to happen," Beall said.
"Everything's not going to come out perfect."
Hours later, the two teamed up on a connection Cougars fans will remember for a long time. On fourth down, Beall went after a 6-yard pass from Keenum that got batted up into the air and came down with it for the go-ahead score in Houston's 45-35 upset of Oklahoma State on Saturday.
The Cougars (2-0) took advantage of a series of favorable bounces to give second-year coach Kevin Sumlin his first marquee win with the program's first victory over a
Top 5 team since an upset of third-ranked Texas in 1984.
Oklahoma State (1-1) was coming off of perhaps the biggest opening win in the program's history last week against Georgia, earning a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated and a Top 5 ranking for the first time since 1985.
"We didn't overlook them at all. We practiced like we practiced for Georgia and any other team," said Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, who had five catches for 85 yards.
After overcoming a 17-point halftime lead, the Cowboys squandered their final chances for a win.
Quarterback Zac Robinson fumbled a snap to end one OSU drive in the fourth quarter, then threw his only interception to end the next. He finished with 240 yards on 18 for 31 passing with one touchdown.
Bryant returned a punt for a touchdown against Houston for the second straight year as Oklahoma State reeled off 21 straight third-quarter points to surge ahead 28-21. It looked like a repeat of last year's game, when Houston led 16-7 before OSU's offense came alive for a 56-37 win.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston defensive end Zeke Riser, right, forces a fumble by Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson during the second half of the Cougars. 45-35 upset of the Cowboys in Stillwater, Okla. The hall went out of bounds, and Oklahoma State retained possession. Oklahoma State is preparing to play Rice on Saturday.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 18,2009