Oklahoma State football report card: Clint Chelf, Cowboys' offense get high marks

Keeping Clint Chelf relatively safe was huge for OSU, not because Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh weren't available (they were), but because Chelf's first start would naturally come with some butterflies. West Virginia sacked Chelf twice, but neither in a critical situation. Once at the end of the first half, when OSU really wasn't trying to move the ball, and another on a 3rd-and-10 scramble that was as much a coverage sack as anything.

FOURTH-DOWN DEFENSE: C

In the first quarter, The Cowboys gave up a 37-yard touchdown pass by backup quarterback Paul Millard on 4th-and-13, after Geno Smith's helmet came off and he had to sit out a play. Then in the second quarter, wingback Tavon Austin took a short pass, broke a tackle and made five yards on 4th-and-5, and West Virginia went on to a touchdown. For the game, the Mountaineers converted four of seven fourth-down tries.

CHELF DECISION-MAKING: A

Chelf threw one interception, but it came when the ball bounced off Charlie Moore's hands. Maybe only one other pass was even a possible interception for the Mountaineers. Mike Gundy estimated that Chelf had to make a decision on 50 of OSU's 66 snaps and might have decided wrong twice. That's winning football.

UNIFORMS: A

New white headgear and white tops provided a sharp look. What? Black and gray? Oh, I'm not talking football. I'm talking the band. OSU's band sported new uniforms. The white Stetsons and tops, with orange pants, provided a brighter look. And the band's rousing military tribute wasn't too shabby itself. The band's football team looked sharp, too, with black helmets, gray jerseys and gray pants.

PASS COVERAGE: C