Backup QB leads Oklahoma State over Colorado

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the second half, leading No. 12 Oklahoma State back from an 11-point deficit for a 31-28 win against Colorado on Thursday night.

With starter Zac Robinson injured and backup Alex Cate ineffective, Weeden took over in the second half and got the offense going for the Cowboys (9-2, 6-1 Big 12).

His 28-yard touchdown pass to Justin Blackmon with 8:11 remaining proved to be the winner.

Colorado got out to a 21-10 lead against the one-dimensional Cowboys before Weeden finally provided a viable passing threat. He went 10 for 15 and threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Keith Toston.

The Buffaloes (3-8, 2-5) had one final chance to go for the win after stuffing OSU on fourth-and-short for the third time in the game with 3:14 remaining but decided to punt after Tyler Hansen threw three straight incomplete passes. The Cowboys, the Big 12’s top rushing team, ran the final 2:45 off the clock.

Cate, who had attempted only five passes in his career, started in Robinson’s place but went 0-for-9 with an interception in the first half.

Weeden, a 26-year-old, came on in relief and connected on his first pass before throwing three straight incompletions for a three-and-out. When he completed back-to-back passes on OSU’s third drive of the third quarter, the crowd of 50,080 let out Bronx cheers.

Two plays later, Toston finished that drive with a 45-yard touchdown run through a huge hole on the right side of the line to cut the deficit to 21-17.

Colorado had a chance to stretch its lead, but Aric Goodman’s 50-yard field goal try caromed off the right upright.

Oklahoma State came right back on its next possession to take the lead on Toston’s 47-yard touchdown catch. Toston released out of the backfield, ran between two blitzing defenders and caught a short pass from Weeden before racing into the end zone for the go-ahead score.