Thanks in large part to an eventful finish, No. 16 Oklahoma State overcame a 14-point deficit to avoid an upset at the hands of dynamic RB Ja'Quinden Jackson and Arkansas.
After trailing 21-7 at halftime, the Cowboys scored 21 consecutive points to take a 28-21 lead with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. Then, things got interesting (and a little weird).
On the ensuing possession, the Razorbacks needed just 72 seconds to drive 75 yards and tie the game at 28 with 4:01 remaining. Over the last four minutes in regulation, the teams traded field goals, penalties and questionable decisions, resulting in extra football, where a few more questionable decisions were made.
Here is how the game played out.
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Arkansas-Oklahoma State ending, explained
As Oklahoma State looked to conduct a game-winning drive, it quickly moved down the field. After the two-minute timeout, Cowboys QB Alan Bowman completed a 36-yard pass to WR Brennan Parsley to set up first-and-goal from the six-yard line with 1:45 to play.
Just as it seemed Oklahoma State was poised to punch it in for six to avoid the upset scare, Bowman was whistled for an unsportsmanlike taunting penalty. His decision to point finger guns at Arkansas' sideline cost the Cowboys 15 yards and an opportunity to score six points.
With the ball on Arkansas' 21-yard line, Oklahoma State decided to play for three points. On fourth-and-four from the 15-yard line, the Cowboys attempted to draw an offsides penalty but instead were whistled for a false start, increasing the degree of difficulty for kicker Logan Ward, who still put his team ahead with a 38-yarder.
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Oklahoma State was back ahead with 57 seconds to play. That was all Arkansas needed.
After a touchback, the Razorbacks drove 48 yards and were able to tie the game with a 45-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.
As clutch as the kickers were to end regulation, they were not as accurate in the first extra period.
In overtime, Arkansas elected to take the ball first and lost three yards, setting up a 46-yard field goal for Kyle Ramsey, who could not connect. With Oklahoma State needing just a field goal to win, it centered the ball for Ward, who missed wide right from 41 yards out.
Onto double overtime.
To begin the second overtime period, Oklahoma State couldn't connect on its first pass attempt. On second down, Bowman connected on a one-yard pass to Presley, who was suplexed by Arkansas LB Xavian Sorey, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty that moved the Cowboys half the distance to the goal.
Instead of third-and-9 from the 24-yard line, the Cowboys had first-and-10 from the 12.
On the very next play, Heisman hopeful Ollie Gordon II showed why he is special, finding paydirt with a running touchdown. Oklahoma State also completed the two-point conversion by giving the ball to Gordon.
Arkansas got one first down as it looked to match Oklahoma State but the Razorbacks were stood up on fourth-and-1, ending a wild Saturday afternoon in Stillwater, Okla.
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