Cowboys survive scare, 15-10

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) Donovan Woods threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as Oklahoma State gave new coach Mike Gundy his first win, 15-10, over Montana State Saturday night.

The Cowboys (1-0) struggled with the spread offense Gundy has implemented since taking over Les Miles this year but used a two-quarterback system to win their 10th straight home opener.

Woods started and played a majority of snaps, completing 10 of 20 passes for 117 yards and rushing for 61 yards on nine carries. Redshirt freshman Bobby Reid rushed for 82 yards on six attempts in reserve.

Woods’ 23-yard lob to brother D’Juan Woods on Oklahoma State’s first possession of the second half erased the Bobcats’ 10-8 halftime lead. Montana State (0-1) threatened late in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma State forced a punt when defensive tackle Darnell Smith tackled Justin Domineck for a 6-yard loss on third down on the Cowboys’ 39. The Bobcats never got the ball back.

Tyler Lulay led the Division I-AA Bobcats with 205 yards on 22-of-34 passing. But his fumble at the Cowboys’ 21 late in the third quarter ended Montana State’s only other scoring threat in the second half.

The Cowboys, coming off three bowl appearances, mustered 378 total yards, including 244 yards on the ground, but had difficulty turning that into points. They lost 67 yards on eight penalties and converted only three of 12 third downs.

Donovan Woods’ 11-yard run on the Cowboys’ first possession of the game gave Oklahoma State an 8-0 lead. The Bobcats, helped by Lulay’s 37-yard pass on a fake punt, took a 10-8 lead when Michael Bass scored from the 3 in the second quarter.

Oklahoma State used just 10 players on its first kickoff to honor defensive back and special teams star Vernon Grant, who died in a car accident in May.

Grant’s father was given a framed drawing of his son before the game.