For Immediate Release | September 11, 2023 | Contact: Sean Maguire (sean.maguire@okstate.edu)
Game Notes: Oklahoma State Returns Home to Face South Alabama
The Basics
The Oklahoma State football team (2-0 overall; 0-0 Big 12) returns home this week to face South Alabama (1-1 overall; 0-0 Sun Belt) in the Cowboys' final regular season non-conference game at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, September 16, at Boone Pickens Stadium.
On the Air
The game will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Drew Carter and Dustin Fox on the call. It will also be carried live on the Cowboy Radio Network, with Dave Hunziker handling play-by-play, John Holcomb providing analysis and Robert Allen reporting from the sideline. Fans outside of the Cowboy Radio Network can listen to the OSU broadcast for free through The Varsity Network app. The broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM channel 83.
Sold Out on Family Weekend
Tickets to Saturday's game against South Alabama sold out on August 22, marking a sellout for both of the Cowboys' home games so far this season. OSU's season tickets also sold out during the second week of August. It marked the first time since 2013 that season tickets have sold out, although the 2013 sellout occurred after the start of the season. While the entire allotment of 49,555 season tickets has been sold - including suites, club, seating bowl and student tickets - there are still options to get into the 53,855-seat stadium through limited single game tickets to some games. There is also a waitlist for 2024 season tickets that fans can join now. There are some single-game tickets remaining for other games available at okstate.com/tickets or by calling or texting the OSU ticket office at 877-255-4678. Tickets for this week may still be found on SeatGeek, the official resale market of Oklahoma State Athletics. The theme of this week's game is "Family Weekend," and includes several events on campus to celebrate the occasion. The game will be bolstered by a performance from a live DJ at the pregame block party on Hall of Fame Avenue, and fans are encouraged to wear a "Sea of Orange."
Honoring Justin Blackmon and Other OSU Legends
On Friday evening six prominent OSU figures will be inducted into the Oklahoma State University Athletics Hall of Honor as part of the 2023 Class, including David "Buddy" Arndt (wrestling), Justin Blackmon (football), Rickie Fowler (men's golf), Yolanda Odenyo (soccer), coach Ann Pitts (women's golf) and Legends division honoree Shelby Wilson (wrestling). Blackmon was a member of the Cowboy football team from 2009-11 and was a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner, two-time unanimous All-American, the 2010 FBS leader in receiving yards per game and receiving touchdowns, the 2010 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was unquestionably the best receiver in America in both 2010 and 2011, and he is one of only two players ever to win the Biletnikoff Award twice. The event takes place on September 15 in Gallagher-Iba Arena, with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the event starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are no longer available, but the event will be streamed live on OSU Max for subscribers. Information about the other inductees can be found at okstate.com.
In the Rankings
The Oklahoma State football team is receiving votes in both the AP Top 25 and the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. Through the 2022 season, Oklahoma State has been ranked in the top 15 of the Associated Press poll in 13 of the past 15 seasons and has reached the top 10 in 11 of those 15 years. Although the first College Football Playoff rankings won't be released until November 1, it's worth noting that OSU has been part of the CFP rankings in seven of the past eight seasons entering 2023. South Alabama is not ranked, but was receiving votes in both major polls before its loss at No. 24/23 Tulane.
The Series
Saturday's game marks the third meeting between Oklahoma State and South Alabama, with the Cowboys winning the first two by a combined score of 99-20. The first matchup came in Mobile in 2017 as OSU won, 44-7, and the second took place in Stillwater in 2018 with the Cowboys winning, 55-13. Oklahoma State is also 18-3 overall in its history against teams in the Sun Belt, with the two South Alabama matchups representing the two most recent games. Coach Mike Gundy is 2-0 against South Alabama and is 9-1 in his career against current members of the Sun Belt. USA coach Kane Wommack is in his third season and has never faced Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State from a Distance
The Oklahoma State football program is in the midst of the longest sustained stretch of success in its history, as well as in college football today. Although the Cowboys closed 2022 on a downward stretch after 17 different Cowboy starters missed time to injury, OSU still finished the year by extending its school record streaks of winning seasons and bowl appearances to 17 straight years – an active run that only one other school can claim. Over the past three seasons, OSU has the most wins and best winning percentage of any of Big 12 team who competed in the conference during that timeframe. It is also the only one of those 10 teams to post a winning record in each of those three years. The Cowboys have reached the top 10 of the AP poll in 11 of the past 15 seasons and have seen a top 15 ranking in the AP poll in 13 of those 15 seasons. On top of that, OSU ranks among the top 10 FBS teams in total wins over the past 10 seasons. It’s safe to say that Oklahoma State is home to a top-10 football program in the country today.
An Oklahoma State Win Would ...
• Improve its non-conference home winning streak to 14 games, improving the third-longest streak in school history and the longest since the 15-game streak from Sept. 19, 2009 - Sept. 3, 2016.
• Make it 3-0 for the seventh consecutive season.
• Give it 13 straight wins in September games, dating to 2019.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record in September games to 57-12.
• Improve its all-time record against South Alabama to 3-0 and its record vs. USA in Stillwater to 2-0.
• Improve its all-time record against Sun Belt teams to 19-3 overall, with eight straight wins.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record against Sun Belt teams to 10-1.
• Improve Mike Gundy's record in non-conference games to 64-14.
• Make it 25-3 in its past 28 non-conference games and 47-9 in its past 55 non-conference games.
• Make it 24-8 in its past 32 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
• Make it 89-21 in its past 110 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
• The Cowboy defense has produced a shutout half in each game this season
• OSU has held 30 of its past 33 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
• OSU has won 83 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
• OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 32 of its past 46 games.
• OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 39 of its past 40 games.
• OSU is 34-15 in its past 49 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
• OSU is 45-8 in its past 53 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
• Dating back to 2005, OSU is 46-4 when not committing a turnover.
• Dating back to 2008, OSU is 75-8 when winning the turnover battle.
• OSU has won three of its past five overtime games.
• Over the past 39 games, OSU has held opponents to 169-for-601 (28.1%) on third down.
