Oklahoma State holds firm in double overtime to avoid victory over Arkansas

It's better to win ugly than to lose pretty, and that was certainly the case for Oklahoma State on Saturday.

While the No. 16 Cowboys defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 39-31, it took a second-half comeback and two overtimes to avoid the upset.

The Razorbacks got off the field quickly and took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cowboys' first points of the day came on a 73-yard interception by Kale Smith.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II celebrates a touchdown with Preston Wilson in double overtime against Arkansas at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (IMAGE)

Oklahoma State's first offensive points didn't come until nine minutes remained in the third quarter, when kicker Logan Ward kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 21-10.

The Cowboys got the opportunity they needed with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. They were down 21-13 and the offense was still sputtering when Razorbacks punt returner Isaiah Sategna fumbled and the Cowboys recovered it at the Arkansas 25-yard line.

Two plays later, quarterback Alan Bowman found wide receiver Brennan Presley for a seven-yard touchdown. Bowman then connected with De'Zhaun Stribling for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 21-21.

After stopping the defense, the Cowboys resorted to a trick play to get the offense going. On a quick pass, Bowman found Jake Schultz completely open to advance 63 yards to the red zone.

A few plays later, the Cowboys got creative by using Presley out of the backfield on a jet sweep for a three-yard touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 28-21 lead.

DEREK JETER GAVE A RUDE SPEECH IN THE LOCKER ROOM TO THE MICHIGAN FOOTBALL TEAM BEFORE THE BIG LOSS TO TEXAS

Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II, center, and Brennan Presley (80) celebrate with fans after the game. (IMAGE)

The Razorbacks responded quickly with a three-play, 75-yard drive capped by Luke Hasz's 43-yard touchdown reception from Taylen Green to tie the game 28-28 with just over four minutes remaining.

Bowman led the Cowboys 55 yards in three minutes to the Arkansas 20-yard line, setting up Ward for a 38-yard field goal to put the Cowboys back in front 31-28.

With no timeouts and 55 seconds left on the clock, Green went to work.

The Razorbacks quarterback, after passing underneath for marginal gains, threw and connected with Andrew Armstrong for 33 yards, bringing the offense to the Oklahoma State 27-yard line.

Arkansas kicker Kyle Ramsey drilled a 45-yard field goal attempt just inside the right upright, tying the game 31-31 as time expired and sending the game into overtime.

The Razorbacks started with the ball first, but fell back in overtime after a crucial 12-yard loss on a third-down sack of Green by Obi Ezeigbo, sending Arkansas back to Oklahoma's 28-yard line.

DUKE OVERCOMES NORTHWESTERN IN A THRILLING DOUBLE OVERTIME MATCH TO IMPROVE TO 2-0 ON THE SEASON

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green passes the ball during the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State. (Images by William Purnell-Imagn)

Ramsey was good from 45 yards out to send the game into overtime, but he was not good in overtime from 46 yards out, deflecting his kick wide left and giving Oklahoma State's offense a chance to win.

However, Oklahoma State's offense wasn't much better than Arkansas' offense in overtime.

They gained a total of one yard, and had to settle for a 41-yard field goal opportunity by Ward to win the game.

He missed on the right.

Both teams missed their shots and the score remained 31-31 going into double overtime.

The Razorbacks held off Heisman candidate Ollie Gordon II for most of the game. But the star running back found the end zone in double overtime with a 10-yard run and then caught the two-point conversion to put the Cowboys up 39-31.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP