STILLWATER — LaDainian Fields intercepted a pass and then moved like he had a plan.
The sophomore corner beelined toward the field-level suites in the east end zone. Instead of going for high fives, and a beer shower celebration like tight end Carson Kolb experienced in a win against Murray State, Fields stood solid 5 yards into the end zone, staring down the fans while his teammates surrounded him.
In a 57-24 OSU win against Colorado, Fields' statue-like pose reflected a defense in control of its surroundings. That was the story of the Cowboy defense’s second half. OSU forced three turnovers in a second-half shutout, including two interceptions from Fields.
It was a reversal from the first half, where the Cowboy defense looked out of sorts. OSU allowed 24 points and 279 yards in the first half. Colorado scored points on four of its first five meaningful drives and didn’t score again.
More: Oklahoma State football rallies in second half to rout Deion Sanders, Colorado
Third down hardest part for OSU’s defense
Colorado was 5 for 8 on third down conversions in the first half. The Buffaloes finished 5 of 13.
Colorado’s second scoring drive featured two crushing third-down conversions.
At the OSU 25-yard line, Colorado quarterback Isaac Wilson ran up the middle for 13 yards a third-and-10.
Two negative plays forced the Buffaloes into third-and-13 and Wilson fit a touchdown pass into a tight window to receiver DeAndre Moore. Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown.
Drew Mestemaker makes up for a lot
With 46 seconds left in the first half, OSU quarterback Drew Mestemaker spun out of a sack and located receiver Wyatt Young on the sideline. Young made a leaping catch to move the chains on a third-and-6 that was breaking down.
It was another masterful day for Mestemaker, and the Cowboys needed it. On that drive at the end of the first half, the Cowboys made a field goal to cut Colorado’s lead down to 24-23.
Mestemaker finished with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns. It’s his sixth consecutive game throwing for more than 300 yards, the nation’s second-longest streak behind Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson (seven).
Cowboy defense exposes Colorado turnover problem in second half
Colorado entered Saturday ranked No. 130 in the country of 138 FBS football teams in turnovers. The Buffaloes had turned the ball over 13 times in six games.
Buffalo quarterback Isaac Wilson initially kept a clean sheet. He started 9-for-9 passing and threw his first incompletion with 3:23 left in the first quarter. It was a turnover-free first half for Colorado.
It took one half for Colorado’s colors to show.
On the first offensive play of the second half, Cowboy defensive lineman Jerry Lawson ripped the ball away from Wilson on a sack. Safety Quinton Hammonds recovered the fumble and returned it 9 yards to the 13-yard line.
With 4:32 left in the third quarter, an unblocked Ethan Wesloski blitzed from Wilson’s right side and the pressure forced an overthrow that Fields intercepted.
Fields grabbed another interception with 8:11 remaining in the fourth quarter and nearly returned it for a touchdown, stepping out at the 9.
Wilson was benched with 7:01 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Cowboys took a 50-24 lead.
Numbers say Sam Keltner is best kicker in country
Sophomore Cowboy kicker Sam Keltner made field goals from 47, 31, 41, 21 and 30 yards. He has made all 18 field goals he has attempted this season.
Entering Saturday, 10 kickers were perfect this season on field goal and extra point attempts. Of that group, Keltner has the most made field goals.
Those numbers say Keltner is the best college kicker in America.
Keltner's 47-yard make in the first quarter Saturday ties his season-long make. He hasn’t been asked to kick a 50-yarder this season.
Ben Hutchens covers OSU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ben? He can be reached at bhutchens@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ben_hutchens_. Sign up for OSU Sports Minute newsletter to access more coverage of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Support Ben's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: LaDainian Fields sparks Oklahoma State football's response vs Colorado | 5 takeaways