Oklahoma State Football: Early game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane has a tall task to replace quarterback Dane Evans after leading them to a 10 win season in 2016. Tulsa still boasts a talented offense led by running back D’Angelo Brewer and wide receivers Brodrick Umbalance and Keenon Johnson.

Oklahoma State has not struggled with non-conference opponents in recent seasons, especially those from Group of Five conferences. We’ll see how ready Mason Rudolph, James Washington, and Justice Hill, and Co. are on the Cowboy roster. A Thursday night kickoff in Stillwater should be an exciting start to the season for Cowboy football fans at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Rudolph and redshirt freshman Tulsa quarterback Luke Skipper trade off touchdowns on the first two drives of the game. Yet, the Cowboys start to pull away after the initial drives for each team in the first quarter. Hill rushes for one touchdown and Rudolph throws for another. Oklahoma State ends the first quarterback on a 14-3 run and leads 21-10.

Brewer rushes for a Tulsa touchdown and freshman Cowboy running back Chuba Hubbard also rushes for his first career touchdown. The game is still at an 11-point lead for Oklahoma State at halftime.

The second half is a runaway for the Cowboys, as Rudolph throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns and freshman Keondre Wudtee adds another touchdown in the third and fourth quarters alone. Washington hauls in 12 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen McCleskey catches another seven passes for 90 yards and one touchdown.

Tulsa adds two more field goals but stalls out for most of the second half. Oklahoma State comes out of the gates strong to kick off 2017 with a huge 49-23 while also getting their younger players some quality playing time.

Final Score: Oklahoma State 49, Tulsa 23 (1-0)