AMES, Iowa — Oklahoma State got the victory it needed, just not the style points.
Backup quarterback J.W. Walsh threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Carr with 3:06 left Saturday, giving No. 5 Oklahoma State a 35-31 victory over Iowa State and keeping the unbeaten Cowboys in playoff contention.
Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) trailed 24-7 and 31-21 before rallying for a victory that might not look impressive but was still critical in jockeying for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff.
It was the fifth time in five road games this season that the Cowboys pulled it out after trailing in the second half.
“I’m sure TV loves us,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “It’s a good win by the team. As we all know, coming up here and playing is never really easy.”
Walsh drew the Cowboys to within 31-28 with a 16-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and Oklahoma State drove 84 yards in 11 plays for the winning score after forcing a punt.
Starter Mason Rudolph got Oklahoma State to the Iowa State 7 and Walsh, usually the team’s running quarterback, took it from there. He hit Carr with a swing pass on the left side and two blocks sprung the freshman to the end zone.
“You don’t win without having some maturity and a relentless football team,” Walsh said, “and we’ve been able to attain those things very well. There was not a doubt in anyone’s mind.”
