Strong Second Half Lifts Oklahoma State to Win

Louisiana-Lafayette surged in the second quarter and took a lead into halftime, but Oklahoma State rebounded in the second half.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:58 am

By: News On 6

Strong Second Half Lifts Oklahoma State to Win

Originally Published: Oct 8, 2010 10:10 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana -- Oklahoma State struggled early and trailed 21-17 at halftime, but a 24-pointthird quarter propelled the Cowboys to a 54-28 win over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

Three plays into the second half, Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden connected with Justin Blackmon for a 43-yard pass to put the Cowboys deep in Louisiana-Lafayette territory. Four plays later, Kendall Hunter punched it in from two yards out to take a 24-21 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Cowboys attempted an onside kick, but Louisiana-Lafayette recovered at the Oklahoma State 37-yard line. However, Chris Mason’s first pass of the next drive was picked off by Andrew McGee and returned to the Oklahoma State 36-yard line.

Five plays later, Weeden connected with Michael Harrison for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 31-21.

After forcing a Ragin’ Cajuns punt on the next drive, the Cowboys strung together a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive punctuated by a 22-yard touchdown strike from Weeden to Hubert Anyiam to take a 38-21 lead.

Darryl Surgent returned the following kickoff 97 yards for a score to close the gap to 38-28, but Oklahoma State moved to reclaim the momentum, but was unable to put seven on the board.

Oklahoma State would connect on three consecutive field goals – from 25 yards, 52 yards and 47 yards out – to take a 47-28 lead.

Weeden capped off his scoring for the night with a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end turned defensive end Wilson Youman to take a 54-28 lead.

Blackmon had a career night for the Cowboys, setting personal bests with his 13 receptions and 191 yards, in addition to his two touchdown catches. Hunter continued to provide a solid ground game for Oklahoma State, racking up 126 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. Weeden, who struggled in the first half, finished the night 29-of-46 for 353 yards and five touchdowns. Both of his two interceptions came in the second half of the game.

Oklahoma State’s first score of the night came on a career-long 52-yard field goal by Dan Bailey to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead in the opening minutes.

Weeden then connected with Blackmon on an 11-yard touchdown to take a 10-point lead. That touchdown catch marked the fifth consecutive game with a touchdown pass for Blackmon, the first receiver to do that since Rashaun Woods in 2003.

The Ragin’ Cajuns offense responded with an 18-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Blaine Gautier to cut the lead to 10-7.

Weeden connected with Blackmon once again for a score – the second a 37-yard touchdown pass – to extend the lead to 17-7, but Louisiana-Lafayette closed the half strong.

Two drives later, Mason connected on four consecutive passes to James Butler – the final a 35-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 17-14. On the next drive, the Ragin’ Cajuns went 39 yards in 12 plays, and Mason finished it with a seven-yard touchdown to Aaron Spikes to take the 21-17 lead at halftime.