OSU returns to the TOP 25

Tuesday, October 14th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Stillwater-AP) -- Four straight routs of overmatched foes didn't mean much to Oklahoma State or A-P poll voters. The fifth win mattered most, though, and the Cowboys finally admitted it.

Oklahoma State's 38-to-34 win over Kansas State on Saturday meant a lot at a school that usually plays second-fiddle to rival Oklahoma and hasn't garnered much national attention since Barry Sanders was juking his way to the Heisman Trophy.

The victory over Kansas State vaulted the Cowboys back into the Top 25, proved they could beat a formidable opponent and smoothed over lingering feelings of disappointment after a season-opening loss at Nebraska.

It took five straight wins by a combined score of 236-to-70 for Oklahoma State to reclaim the Top 25 ranking it lost after a 17-to-7 defeat to the Cornhuskers.