Trick or Treat! Here are my top 5 spookiest, scariest, most frightening Cowboy Football games in the last 15 years. 

Unfortunately, I was in attendance for four of these five matchups and, therefore, have suffered days or maybe months off of my expected lifespan.

Lock the doors, turn your night light on, and maybe crack a beer, because here we go. 

Number #5: September 29, 2012 – Texas 41, Oklahoma State 36

The 2011 football season saw Oklahoma State get as close to a national championship game appearance as they’ve ever been. 2012, while not as good record-wise, still showed some promise. For the record, I don’t claim the 1945 natty. 

Continuing on – The Texas Longhorns traveled into Stillwater, in what I can remember as nice Fall evening and transpired into a decently chilly night. 

Oklahoma State had begun conference play and was sitting at 2-1, after a second game loss against Arizona. The Longhorns were ranked 12th in the nation, but Oklahoma State, with speedy quarterback, J.W. Walsh, afforded the Pokes some hope going into this.

Texas QB in that game in 2012? David Ash. Remember that name? Me neither. 

35 points were scored in the first quarter of that game, Texas leading 21-14. Oklahoma State great, kicker, Quinn Sharp, would add a field goal in the 2nd quarter and Oklahoma State was down 21-17 going into half. 

At the end of the 3rd quarter, Oklahoma State was down 28-26, and had a very real shot to win the game. With a little over nine minutes left in the 4th, the Cowboys would take the lead 33-28, but the Longhorns would retake the lead roughly four minutes later with a touchdown of their own. With 2:34 left to go in the game, Oklahoma State kicker, Quinn Sharp, would make a field goal to make it a 36-34 game in the Pokes’ favor. Texas QB, David Ash, then led the Longhorns on an eight play, 75-yard game winning touchdown drive, with just 29 seconds to play. That was all she wrote. 

Number #4: September 10, 2016 – Central Michigan 30, Oklahoma State 27

For the last 9 years, I’ve tried to erase this game from my memory. Oklahoma State should’ve never let Central Michigan get as close to decide it with a final play and referee error, but it did happen. Oklahoma State wide receiver, Dillon Stoner, connected on a two yard WR pass to Poke wideout, James Washington, with 5:12 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Cooper Rush, infamous NFL backup QB, attempted to lead the Central Michigan Chippewas on a game winning drive. A misinterpreted rule extended the game when it should have been over and allowed the Chippewas to score a wild, winning touchdown on a Hail Mary and lateral. 

I left Boone Pickens Stadium, got in my car, and drove the two hours home in complete silence. 

Number #3: December 7, 2013 – Oklahoma 33, Oklahoma State 24

Bedlam. An early morning Bedlam. A cold Bedlam. The coldest Bedlam I have ever attended. A thin sheet of white snow laid at my feet for the entirety of the 2013 annual Sooner/Poke matchup. 

Former NFL first round pick, corner, Justin Gilbert, had been a stud for Oklahoma State all season. Blake Bell, listed as a tight end, was starting for OU at quarterback. Oklahoma State fans felt they had a solid shot at this one, and they did…until they didn’t. 

This Bedlam was tied at the end of each of the first three quarters. The Sooners flipped that script in the fourth quarter, as frostbite set in on my toes. Oklahoma State running back, Desmond Roland, bursted into the endzone with 1:46 to play, giving the Pokes a 24-20 lead.

Despite being almost frozen, Boone Pickens Stadium came to life. Blake Bell wasn’t going to lead a game winning drive in place of Landry Jones, right? 

Wrong. Bell and the Sooners drove down the field to score a touchdown after an eight play, 66 yard drive. OU led 27-24 with less than 30 seconds to play. That drive saw Oklahoma State corner, Justin Gilbert, drop a surefire interception that would’ve ended it. The added six points for the Sooners? A desperation Cowboys Hail Mary that led to a Sooner defensive score to end the game. 

Again, silence until I got home. 

Number #2: December 4, 2021 – Baylor 21, Oklahoma State 16

I’ll be cut and dry here, because this one hurt. More so than any prior game but one. But let me set the scene. 

Big 12 Championship game against Baylor, in Jerry’s World. If Oklahoma State wins this game, they likely get into the College Football Playoff. Spencer Sanders throws multiple picks but Oklahoma State has a shot at the end of the game to win it. I’m five beers deep.

My friend, Billy Locke, and I join in a bro-hug as Baylor gets called for pass interference on Baylor’s own six-yard line. There is 1:27 to go in the game and Oklahoma State is now at Baylor’s two-yard line. State is down 21-16. A touchdown wins it. Four tries to punch in from the two-yard line makes Oklahoma State College Football Playoff bound. 

Four tries from the two-yard line. One yard gained. One pass attempt, on 3rd down, from QB Spencer Sanders to an Oklahoma State defensive player, Tyler Lacy. Zero points. Zero trophies lifted that day. 

Locke and I, with dreams of partying at Texas Live! that night, didn’t watch a single minute of football the rest of the day. We did, however, demolish many margaritas at some trash Arlington, Texas Mexican restaurant. 

Number #1: November 18, 2011 – Oklahoma State 31, Iowa State 37 – 2OT

If you’re still reading, you know how this one went. Friday night game in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma State is undefeated, but a plane crash, prior in the week, decimated several members of the Oklahoma State Women’s College Basketball program and the vibes were off. It was the next biggest Oklahoma State tragedy since Remember The Ten. 

A missed Quinn Sharp field goal changed the course, though Sharp’s field goal looked good to me. Oklahoma State falls in double over-time and their chance at playing for the BCS National Championship is gone forever.

Oklahoma State would’ve dog walked either Alabama or LSU that year and, instead, we got a Bama/LSU rematch that ended up being one of the worst games to watch in college football history. I’m still salty. I still don’t like Iowa State. 

If you’re a Cowboys fan and made it this far, I apologize for bringing up games and memories you’d rather forget.

Stay tuned tomorrow, as it’ll be no tricks, all treats. We’ll break down Cardiac Cowboy games where they’ve been on the right side of the scoreboard.