Oklahoma State suffered a loss to Utah on Saturday that was due to an astonishing performance from its offense and coaching staff, as well as an overall respectable performance from its defense.

Let’s take an unconventional look at this week’s superlatives.

Best offensive player: Dorian Singer

As far as I can remember, this is the first time I’ve picked an MVP from a Cowboys opponent, but I just couldn’t justify calling a single offensive player from OSU’s roster more influential than Singer. In fact, I think two Utes would be at the top of my list.

Utah’s veteran wide receiver made one bone-crushing play after another against OSU’s defense, constantly moving the chains. Four of his seven catches were first-down conversions, two of which were key third-and-long plays. He finished the game with 95 yards.

Honorable Mentions: Micah Bernard, Brennan Presley

Best Defensive Player: Trey Rucker

Rucker led the nation in tackles this week and improved his average with 14 more of the Utes’ takedowns. He totaled four interceptions in his first four years, including two in the first half against Utah. It’s unfortunate that such an outstanding individual performance came in what would otherwise be a forgettable game for OSU fans.

Honorable Mentions: Obi Ezeigbo, Kendal Daniels

Statistics of the game: The 50 and under club

I have no idea how one would ever explore this, and I’m too exhausted to undertake such a frustrating and depressing endeavor, but I wonder if this has happened before in the same game.

• Both OSU quarterbacks finished with a completion percentage of less than 50%.
• No OSU receiver recorded more than 50 yards.
• No OSU runner reached 50 yards.

It was an overall ugly performance from an offense that hasn’t lived up to expectations all year, aside from the one-dimensional loss to a bad Tulsa team. And it could have been even uglier if it weren’t for those final two TD drives.

Outstanding Performance: Isaac Wilson

He wasn’t perfect, but he was good enough. Utah’s freshman backup completed 59% of his passes and threw one touchdown and two interceptions, but he was the best quarterback on the field Saturday.

Play of the game: Trey Ruckers tip

We’ll end on a positive note for OSU fans. This was back when the mood at BPS was much better. Awesome play to come out of nowhere and chase that ball.

Trey Rucker came out of NOWHERE for this interception 🔥@CowboyFB takes the ball back immediately 🔒 pic.twitter.com/07d3K8VJQR

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) 21 September 2024

Honorable Mentions: Trey Rucker’s other interception