Tipping points for Houston

STILLWATER, OKLA —  . -- Quarterback Case Keenum was listening in on a conversation in the Houston locker room when someone suggested that the Cougars had worked hard enough that they didn’t need any luck to upset No. 5 Oklahoma State.

Keenum had to interject. He turned to running back Bryce Beall and said: “I wouldn’t mind some luck.”

Hours later, the two teamed up on a connection Cougars fans will remember for a long time. On fourth down, Beall went after a six-yard pass from Keenum that got batted into the air and came down with it for the go-ahead score in Houston’s 45-35 upset of Oklahoma State on Saturday.

“It’s football. If you keep playing, plays like that are going to happen,” Beall said. “Everything’s not going to come out perfect.”

The Cougars (2-0) took advantage of a series of favorable bounces to give second-year Coach Kevin Sumlin his first marquee win with the program’s first victory over a top-five team since an upset of third-ranked Texas in 1984.

Jamal Robinson sealed the win with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:14 remaining, also off a pass that tipped off an Oklahoma State player first.

“For us as a program, this is a big win because it legitimizes our university. It legitimizes our program,” said Sumlin, who had gone 5-0 against OSU as an assistant coach at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State (1-1) was coming off of perhaps the biggest opening win in the program’s history last week against Georgia, earning a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated and a top-five ranking for the first time since 1985.

“We didn’t overlook them at all. We practiced like we practiced for Georgia and any other team,” said Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, who had five catches for 85 yards. “We just made too many mistakes and they took advantage and made plays.”

After overcoming a 17-point halftime lead, the Cowboys squandered their final chances for a win.

Quarterback Zac Robinson fumbled a snap to end one OSU drive in the fourth quarter, then threw his only interception to end the next. He finished 18 for 31 for 240 yards and one touchdown.

Keenum threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns.