STILLWATER — A one-win Oklahoma State football season mercilessly came to an end Saturday in a blustery Boone Pickens Stadium, the Cowboys suffering a 20-13 loss to Iowa State.
The final result was a 1-11 season and a 19th straight loss against Big 12 competition.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut as the next era of Cowboy football takes the stage, let’s look at the grades for the 2025 season finale:
More: Oklahoma State football fights to finish, but falls short vs Iowa State to cap 1-11 season
Fan turnout: C
Was it an average crowd? By no means. Best estimates put the total attendance south of 20,000. Maybe south of 15,000. Given the continued fight shown by these Cowboys in a meaningless situation, they (particularly the seniors) deserved better support in their finale.
However, a brutally cold wind blew through Boone Pickens Stadium and colder weather moved through as the game progressed.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith that weather report for the final game of a 1-11 season, the lackluster turnout could’ve been worse. And even a couple dozen shirtless — crazy, but shirtless — fans of all ages held their ground in the now-famous Section 231.
Special teams contributions: A
The specialists have been a quietly reliable crew this season, and continued that way again Saturday.
Logan Ward hit field goals of 28 and 41 yards to finish his senior season hitting 15 of the 20 field goals he attempted. Wes Pahl was right on his season average of 46.5 yards per punt in six attempts with a long of 69 and three downed inside the 20.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrue freshman Kobi Foreman showed some juice on kickoff returns with an average of 21.0 yards on four attempts, including a long of 28.
And one of the day’s biggest plays was made by longsnapper Aiden Davenport, who gobbled up a punt that had bounced off the back of an Iowa State blocker that set up one of Ward’s field goals.
More: How Oklahoma State football hiring Eric Morris has boosted energy for Cowboys fans
Oklahoma State's Zane Flores (6) throws a pass in the second half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Iowa State Cyclones at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday Nov. 29, 2025.Pass defense: A
For the third time in four weeks, OSU gave up less than 200 passing yards. Iowa State’s Rocco Becht completed 9 of 19 passes for 113 yards, with the longest pass play a 24-yarder on fourth-and-1.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe OSU secondary was one of the most susceptible pieces of the defense for much of the season, but helped key the unit’s turnaround.
Run defense: D
Iowa State was content keeping the ball on the ground, and though it averaged just 4.9 yards per carry, it felt much more impactful.
From the 40-yard TD sprint by Abu Sama III to the grinding 104-yard performance of Carson Hanson, it felt like the Cowboys were always a step away from stopping the Cyclone running backs. Together, Hanson and Sama combined for 196 yards on 35 carries.
More: North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker mum on future, potential move to Oklahoma State football
Oklahoma State's Ike Esonwune (25) and Parker Robertson (8) celebrates a play in the second half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Iowa State Cyclones at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday Nov. 29, 2025.Offensive consistency: C
In what has been the story of the season for the OSU offense, consistency was hard to find. Of the Cowboys’ first six possessions, five lasted four or fewer plays and took less than 1:50 off the clock. The other was a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that lasted for 6:46.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYet the Cowboys couldn’t replicate it. In the second half, their longest drive was nine plays and covered just 33 yards, ending in a field goal.
QB Zane Flores’ overall numbers were solid, completing 23 of 34 passes (67.6%) for 202 yards, but the offense couldn’t piece enough good plays together to extend drives. And Flores’ lone turnover was costly, with Iowa State turning into a quick field goal that made it a two-score game at the time.
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football grades vs Iowa State reflect inconsistency
AdvertisementAdvertisement