Ossai’s huge game leads Longhorns past Cowboys
Joseph Ossai recorded one of the best individual performances in recent memory to help Texas upset then sixth-ranked Oklahoma State 41-34 in overtime on Friday in Stillwater, Okla.
Ossai recorded 12 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, forced a fumble and then recovered a fumble to help the Longhorns stay in contention for the Big 12 Championship Game. The Longhorns are one of six teams that are all within a game of the conference lead.
Texas (4-2, 3-2) is now ranked 22nd in the latest Associated Press College Football Poll while Oklahoma state (4-1, 3-1) fell to No. 14.
The former Conroe Oak Ridge star ended the game by running across the Oklahoma State backfield to chase down Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders (Denton Ryan) to make a shoestring sack on fourth down of Oklahoma State’s overtime possession.
Ossai had a strip-sack of Sanders late in the second quarter that was recovered by teammate Ta’Quan Graham (Temple) and returned 33 yards to set up a Texas field goal before halftime.
His fourth-quarter fumble return gave Texas possession on its own 41. The Longhorns then went on a 15-play, drive capped by a 12-yard Sam Ehlinger (Austin Westlake) touchdown pass to Jake Smith and a two-point conversion pass to Cade Brewer (Austin Lake Travis) to put Texas ahead 34-31 late in the final frame.
Ossai was a Texas Sports Writers Association All-State Honorable Mention during his time at Oak Ridge.
Texas looks for its third straight win on Saturday when it hosts the West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2, 3-2) at 11 a.m. on ABC.
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