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American college football season
The 1986 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University in the Big Eight Conference during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their third season under head coach Pat Jones , the Cowboys compiled a 6–5 record (4–3 against conference opponents), finished in fourth place in the conference, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 191 to 181.[ 1] [ 2]
The team's statistical leaders included Thurman Thomas with 741 rushing yards, Mike Gundy with 1,525 passing yards, and Hart Lee Dykes with 814 receiving yards and 42 points scored.[ 3] [ 4]
The team played its home games at Lewis Field in Stillwater, Oklahoma .[ 5]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 6 at Southwestern Louisiana * W 21–2023,144 [ 6]
September 13 at Tulsa * L 23–2741,235 [ 7]
September 20 Houston * L 12–2838,600 [ 8]
September 27 Illinois State * Lewis Field Stillwater, OK W 23–738,600 [ 9]
October 11 at No. 3 Nebraska L 10–3076,041 [ 10]
October 18 at No. 5 Oklahoma L 0–1976,022 [ 11]
October 25 Kansas Lewis Field Stillwater, OK W 24–646,400 [ 12]
November 1 Colorado Lewis Field Stillwater, OK L 14–3136,900 [ 13]
November 8 at Kansas State W 23–321,270 [ 14]
November 22 Iowa State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK W 21–1434,000 [ 15]
Missouri Lewis Field Stillwater, OK W 10–624,000 [ 16]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Oklahoma State at Nebraska
1
2 3 4 Total
Cowboys
0
10 0 0
10
• No. 3 Cornhuskers
14
7 9 0
30
In the second ever night game at Memorial Stadium, Nebraska won for the 25th straight time over the Cowboys.
1
2 3 4 Total
Cowboys
0
0 0 0
0
• No. 5 Sooners
3
3 3 10
19
[ 17]
1986 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Larry Coker – Offensive coordinator
Houston Nutt – Quarterback/Wide receivers
Bill Shimek – Running backs
Steve Gardner – Tight ends
Brad Seely – Offensive line
Louis Campbell – Defensive coordinator/defensive backs
George Walstad – Defensive line
Jonny Barr – Outside linebackers
Kevin Steele – Linebackers
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
The 1987 NFL draft was held on April 28–29, 1987. The following Cowboy was selected.[ 18]
^ "1986 Oklahoma State Cowboys Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2017 .
^ "Oklahoma State Cowboy Football 2016 Guide" (PDF) . Oklahoma State University. p. 173. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017 .
^ 2016 Football Guide, pp. 168, 170.
^ "1986 Oklahoma State Cowboys Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2017 .
^ 2016 Football Guide, pp. 217, 219.
^ "Miraculous OSU rally averts ambush, 21–20" . Tulsa World . September 7, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Ellison, Gage help Tulsa surprise Oklahoma State" . The Wichita Eagle-Beacon . September 14, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Reserve QB leads Houston attack" . Daily American Republic . September 21, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Pokes dine on Redbirds" . Tulsa World . September 28, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cornhuskers tip Cowboys, stay perfect" . The South Bend Tribune . October 12, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Oklahoma struggles to beat Oklahoma State" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . October 19, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cowboys drop Kansas" . The Olathe Daily News . October 26, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Buffaloes rally past Cowboys" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . November 2, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cowboys defeat Wildcats behind freshman passer" . Star-Herald . November 9, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Loss ends ISU's year of infamy" . The Gazette . November 23, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Missouri bows to OSU 10–6" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . December 5, 1986. Retrieved April 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Oklahoma's defense pulled through" . UPI Archives . October 19, 1986. Retrieved September 12, 2021 .
^ "1987 NFL Draft Listing" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
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