Oklahoma State is shut out by Colorado in embarrassing season finale

Oklahoma State’s disastrous 2024 season is finally over.

OSU lost its season finale to No. 25 Colorado 52-0 on Friday at Folsom Field in Boulder. In a season of poor performances, OSU saved the worst for last. Thanks to a final drive with more yards than the rest of the game combined, OSU finished the game with 147 total yards, its fewest in a game since a 109-yard performance at Bedlam in 2009.

With the game already out of reach in the fourth quarter, Maealiuaki Smith threw a pick six to former OSU player DJ McKinney, whose celebration in the end zone resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct. McKinney’s game is one of many he’s played against OSU this season, but it perfectly sums up not just Friday’s game, but the entire season.

After stepping up and holding the Buffaloes scoreless in the second quarter to escape the first half with three touchdowns, OSU’s defense quickly let go of the ropes after halftime. A 69-yard pass from Shedeur Sanders to LaJohntay Wester extended the Buffaloes’ lead less than a minute into the third quarter. After another bad OSU possession, Travis Hunter reached the end zone for the second time with an 8-yard catch.

Hunter stepped up his Heisman campaign early, singled off Maealiuaki Smith on the first drive of the game. Colorado quickly capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown and took a 7-0 lead. Things never got much better for the Cowboys.

OSU’s ensuing drive stalled and the next drive ended early after Brennan Presley botched a catch in his own territory. Shedeur Sanders threw a pair of touchdowns, including one to Hunter, to take a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.

OSU’s offense never came into its own in the first half, but the defense did just enough to get out of the first half without any more damage being done. However, without any consistency or rhythm on offense, it was nearly impossible for OSU to beat a ranked team on the road.

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