STILLWATER, Okla. — Shaun Lewis intercepted Jerrod Johnson in the final seconds and Dan Bailey kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift Oklahoma State to a 38-35 victory over Texas A&M on Thursday night.
Johnson turned the ball over five times, including a key fumble that led to a Cowboys touchdown in the fourth quarter and his fourth interception that Lewis returned 28 yards to set up the game-winner.
Brandon Weeden also had turnover problems early, but shrugged them off to throw for 284 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) rallied from a 14-point deficit, only to let Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1) do the same.
Johnson threw for 409 yards and a career-best five touchdowns but ended up making one mistake too many in a meeting of Big 12 South rivals who were previously unbeaten.
Hokies’ Williams out.
Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams will miss his second game with a hamstring injury when the Hokies play at No. 23 North Carolina State on Saturday.
The school had Williams on the list of five players who will not be available for the Atlantic Coast Conference game in Raleigh, N.C. The others are defensive tackle Kwamaine Battle, tight end Eric Martin and linebackers Barquell Rivers and Lorenzo Williams.
Footnotes.
Attorneys for former North Carolina assistant coach John Blake say their client received loans from longtime friend and sports agent Gary Wichard, but there was never an arrangement to direct players to Wichard once they left for the NFL.
Florida-based attorney William H. Beaver II said Wichard was trying to help Blake as the coach encountered financial trouble after being fired as the coach at Oklahoma a dozen years ago. Beaver wouldn’t specify exactly how much money was provided.
• Boston College coach Frank Spaziani is still mum on his starting quarterback for Saturday night’s game against Notre Dame.
Spaziani said “We will have to determine soon” whether Chase Rettig or Mike Marscovetra will start.
• Purdue junior quarterback Robert Marve will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Saturday’s loss to Toledo.
• Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith could earn as much as $1.2 million annually — making him one of the highest-paid ADs in the country — after signing a new contract addendum this summer.
• Former Clemson coach Danny Ford will be honored with the Palmetto Patriot award before the Tigers play Miami on Saturday.
• North Carolina safety Da’Norris Searcy has been cleared to return this weekend against East Carolina, after missing three games amid an ongoing NCAA investigation.
• The University of Washington will play the 2012 football season at Qwest Field in Seattle while Husky Stadium undergoes renovations.
The Associated Press
