Oklahoma State football vs. Central Arkansas: Score, live updates from OSU's season opener

Scott Wright, The Oklahoman

September 2, 2023 at 4:00 PM·6 min read

The Oklahoma State Cowboys host the Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday in Week 1 of the college football season. Here's everything you need to know:

How to watch Oklahoma State vs. Central Arkansas football

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater

TV: ESPN+ (subscription required)

Radio: 96.1 FM

More: Four Downs: Will Oklahoma State football's work to improve run game show in opener?

Final: Oklahoma State 27, Central Arkansas 13

If the season opener was a competition for Oklahoma State’s starting quarterback job, anoint Gunnar Gundy now.

He was the third quarterback to come into the game for the Cowboys, but led two fourth-quarter scoring drives as they messed around with Football Championship Subdivision opponent Central Arkansas before pulling away for a 27-13 win Saturday night at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Read the full takeaways HERE.

Third quarter: Bears rally within one possession

The Cowboy offense mostly stalled, and the staff turned to its third quarterback of the night, Gunnar Gundy.

But Central Arkansas’ touchdown drive cut the Cowboy edge to 13-7 late in the quarter.

OSU’s yards-per-carry average dipped to 3.1 with 52 yards on 17 attempts.

All the offseason talk about the offensive line seems deflated now, with the group struggling to open running lanes and protect the passers.

Halftime: Alan Bowman makes Cowboy debut

Former Texas Tech and Michigan quarterback Alan Bowman saw the field for the first time in his Cowboy career early in the second quarter.

Redshirt freshman Garret Rangel handled the first four OSU possessions. Bowman, a super-senior, completed four of seven passes on his first series, which stalled and resulted in a 26-yard field goal by Alex Hale that left the Cowboys with a 10-0 lead.

Hale ended the half with a 45-yarder that put the Pokes up 13-0 at the half.

Bowman finished his three series 9-of-20 for 55 yards, but was hurt by three dropped throws — one by Blaine Green that would’ve gone for a big gain late in the half on a series that ultimately ended with a punt.

Central Arkansas’ offense had gone mostly quiet since the early first quarter drive that ended with a blocked field goal, but the Bears moved into OSU territory in the final minutes of the half. But OSU cornerback Korie Black forced a fumble that was recovered by Kendal Daniels and returned to the UCA 28-yard line.

After three incompletions, the Cowboys turned to Hale for the aforementioned 45-yard field goal.

While the quarterbacks had their uneven moments, the bigger concern for the OSU offense was the flat rushing attack. OSU rushed 14 times for 45 yards in the half and Rangel was the leading rusher with 18 on three carries.

More: How will Oklahoma State football fare in 2023? Here are our game-by-game predictions

Sep 2, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State's Alan Bowman (7) throws the ball in the second quarter during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and Central Arkansas at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports

First quarter: Garret Rangel gets start at QB

In the most anticipated moment of the day, it was redshirt freshman Garret Rangel who trotted onto the field for the first snap of the game at quarterback. In fact, he played every series of the first quarter.

He finished 10-of-15 for 118 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He guided the Cowboys promptly down the field on the opening drive, but was hit as he threw a fourth-down pass and it was intercepted.

Central Arkansas moved quickly down the field, appearing to score a touchdown on back-to-back plays, both of which were wiped out by penalties. In all, the series included four penalties in a five-play span and ended when OSU blocked a Central Arkansas field goal attempt.

Rangel and the Pokes charged back down the field on an 80-yard scoring drive, the first TD of the season going to Brennan Presley on an 11-yard reception from a swing pass. Presley slipped between two approaching defenders and scored easily.

Transfer receiver De’Zhaun Stribling was perhaps the biggest first-quarter bright spot for OSU, catching three passes for 52 yards.

Quarterback Alan Bowman was throwing on occasion to stay loose, but did not enter the game in the first quarter. Coach Mike Gundy said last week he expected to play multiple quarterbacks in this game.

More: Could Oklahoma State football's Sesi Vailahi land important role as freshman running back?

Sep 2, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State's Jaden Nixon (3) warms up before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and Central Arkansas at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports

Pregame: New uniforms debut with classic look

Oklahoma State will debut its new uniforms with classic style in the season opener against Central Arkansas, set to kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.

The new threads are highlighted by a throwback touch, so it seems fitting to bring them out with the combination of an orange jersey and white pants. To top it off, the Cowboys will wear a white helmet with the traditional OSU Brand logo.

The new jerseys have Oklahoma State in block lettering across the chest with stripes similar to what OSU stars Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas wore in the 1980s.

The uniform, of course, offered little drama compared to the more intriguing questions about the Cowboys as they lift the lid on the 2023 season.

Who will start at quarterback? And how many of them will play? What will the defense look like?

All those questions will have to wait.

As for player absences, redshirt senior offensive lineman Preston Wilson was not in uniform for unknown reasons and redshirt junior receiver Cale Cabbiness did not dress, wearing a sling on his right arm.

More: After 'good little test' for Oklahoma State football, Kasey Dunn eyes redemption tour