Oklahoma State Football: 3 takeaways from clutch win over Kansas State

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Eli Huggins #92 of the Kansas State Wildcats and defensive back Ross Elder #19 tackle running back LD Brown #0 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Eli Huggins #92 of the Kansas State Wildcats and defensive back Ross Elder #19 tackle running back LD Brown #0 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys catches an 11-yard touchdown pass against defensive back Josh Thompson #9 of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys catches an 11-yard touchdown pass against defensive back Josh Thompson #9 of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

1. Absence of Tylan Wallace makes offense one-dimensional

Not having Tylan Wallace on Saturday was going to be an issue for a guy like Spencer Sanders who uses that All-American wide receiver talent often. He’s not afraid to put all of his trust in Wallace and target him 10-plus times per game but that safety blanket was gone with Wallace out.

Oklahoma State still has weapons in the receiving corps like Dillon Stoner and Landon Woods along with tight end Jelani Woods, but those guys weren’t enough to make this passing attack lethal.

With Wallace, Sanders gains momentum at a high clip but without him, he doesn’t look like his usual self and he chooses to run more than he should. It makes Oklahoma State’s offense far too one-dimensional and I think the coaching staff also realizes that.

Sanders rushed 12 times for just nine yards as he was contained nicely, but he wasn’t looking downfield as much as he’d like to.

If Wallace is out for more than just this one, Oklahoma State could be in trouble.

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