Oklahoma State running back Jaylen Warren carried for 125 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as No. 12 OSU (5-0, 2-0 in the Big 12) defeated then-No. 21 Baylor 24-14 in Stillwater.

OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders passed for 182 yards and ran for 76 yards but his three interceptions made the score closer than it should have been. Tay Martin caught seven passes for 108 yards.

“We got away with another one,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “We were minus three in turnovers and it’s extremely difficult to win a game when you’re minus two. To be minus three in the turnovers and to still win is pretty fortunate.”

OSU rushed the ball 55 times.

“I think we might have gotten concerned with (Spencer Sanders) over firing some throws,” Gundy said. “We didn’t plan on rushing 55 times if that’s what you’re asking. I think sometimes when you’re calling plays you see some things that scare you and then you’re in the game and the defense is playing good, so let’s just make them win the game and not lose it. I’ve been in that position as a play caller.”

The Cowboy defense held Baylor to 280 yards of total offense. The Bears entered the game averaging 42.8 points and 490.8 yards of total offense per game.

“They had their backs against the wall again,” Gundy said of his defense. “That has happened several times this year. We talk a lot about their discipline and toughness, but also their attitude and focus and body language. We have a lot of super seniors out there and are getting great leadership from Tyler Lacy and Devin Harper, among others. I’m naming guys that are giving us leadership and there’s like eight of them on the field at once, and that’s why they’re playing good.”

The OSU defense forced Baylor to punt on each of its first eight drives. The Bears were 0-for-6 on third down in the first half and had only six rushing yards before halftime.

“I thought our game plan was good,” said OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. “Their quarterback ran around and made some plays. I felt like he was difficult to play with. He started to take some deep shots on us, which we responded to, but we want to do better in that area.

“Short yard plays, I blame myself there on not putting the guys in the best position on that play. Kind of a cheap one that I’m sure will keep me up. But we just have some great leadership, we have guys flying around. The one play that really exemplifies the thing we’re doing here is Evers making that play on the running back on fourth down.”

The Cowboys just keep winning.

“Number five, that was good,” said OSU defensive coordinator Kasey Dunn. “It was the first time in a while that we lined up with the same eleven guys, so that was a good thing going into the game. It was unfortunate we missed a couple opportunities early. I thought our defense played outstanding, and we found a way to go out there and win. That’s what we’ve done now for a long time, and we knocked off two top-25 teams back-to-back, both undefeated. So, life is good.”

The Cowboy offense is building momentum.

“It’s fantastic,” Dunn said. “But at the same time, we want to try and get a larger margin of victory. But, whether it’s 24-14 or 44-34, it’s the same thing. So, for us, tonight, to have to go out there and not rely on it so much. We haven’t been able to the past few weeks. The last two weeks, here, we have. We’ve seen some guys make some plays, we feel better about where we’re heading, and the direction of what we’re doing.”

OSU is 5-0 for the first time since 2015 and the fifth time with Gundy as head coach. The Pokes have won seven in a row – the longest winning streak since 2016. OSU is 22-18 all-time against Baylor while Gundy is 10-7 against the Bears.

The Cowboys are off this week and travel to play at Texas on October 16.

“I don’t want to jinx them, but they keep playing good,” Gundy said of his team. “I hope they will continue on like that and I think the challenge for them will be greater every week. Texas seems to be moving the ball and putting up points, so that will be a good challenge for them on the road. Overall, we need a break. We have been at it for eight weeks and guys are tired, beat up and sore. It’s good to be 5-0. I’m proud of the guys and the way they competed. We’ll just keep moving forward.”