Winning the turnover battle is crucial in every game. Oklahoma State did just that on its way to handing West Virginia its first loss of the season by a score of 37-20.

The Cowboy’s defense forced three turnovers in Saturday’s contest, the most the Mountaineers have had in a single game since their opening game against Missouri. The Mountaineers had not turned the ball over in its previous two games against Texas Tech and TCU but mistakes doomed them on the road.

Oklahoma State’s defense came into Saturday’s game having forced 16 turnovers throughout the season, the most in the Big 12.

Oklahoma State’s offense led by junior quarterback Mason Rudolph, capitalized on all three of West Virginia’s turnovers leading to head coach Mike Gundy’s 100th career victory and turning those mistakes into 17-points.

“They made three plays in the game that flat out affected the game, it’s as simple as that,” West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen said. “They were better than us today.”

West Virginia’s first turnover came when Oklahoma State defensive lineman Vincent Taylor strip-sacked Skyler Howard deep inside West Virginia’s own territory. It only took the Cowboys two plays to capitalize as Rudolph connected with Chris Lacy for a five-yard touchdown to regain the lead 13-10. The Cowboys never trailed for the rest of the game.

Howard was then intercepted twice by the Oklahoma State secondary in the second half. The first came late in the third quarter when Howard’s pass was bounced off the hands of Ka’Raun White right into the hands of Ramon Richards who returned it down to West Virginia’s nine-yard line. The Cowboys added to their lead in only three plays when Rudolph punched it in himself from two yards out to make it 27-10.

The Cowboys intercepted Howard for the second time late in the 4th quarter when the Mountaineers were facing a third and long. Oklahoma State’s Kevin Henry stepped in front of Howard’s pass intended for Daikiel Shorts and returned it to down to the West Virginia 10-yard line. Four plays later, the Cowboys added a field goal, settling the score at 37-20.

All three of West Virginia’s turnovers occurred inside their own territory and the Cowboys started each of their three offensive possessions following each turnover inside West Virginia’s 15-yard line. The Cowboy’s offense took only four plays or less to capitalize on each turnover and scored 17 points off of these West Virginia turnovers which was the difference in the game.

“(Oklahoma State’s) as good as anybody in the country at taking advantage of turnovers and converting them with points,” Holgorsen said.

West Virginia has only won the turnover battle three times this season, and have lost the turnover battle in two out of their six victories. In their previous two victories against TCU and Texas Tech, the offense committed zero turnovers and the defense forced four turnovers combined.

A key for the Mountaineers to have any chance at the Big 12 title is to win the turnover battle in each of their final five games, especially against teams like Baylor and Oklahoma. Baylor ranks first in the Big 12 in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense. The Bears also has the top rushing offense in the conference. Oklahoma ranks second in the Big 12 in pass offense, total offense and rushing defense.

These are teams that can create turnovers against their opponent and have shown that they are capable of capitalizing off turnovers. Saturday’s game may have served as a wakeup call for the Mountaineers as they look to bounce back next week at home against Kansas.