Kansas State 44, Oklahoma State 30: By The Numbers

In a battle for first place in the Big 12 Conference standings, No. 2 Kansas State beat No. 24 Oklahoma State 44-30. Here are some key stats from the game:

5 – One of the biggest keys heading into Manhattan for the Pokes was the turnover battle. OSU failed miserably on that front, committing five turnovers and forcing zero from Kansas State. The Pokes threw four interceptions, three by freshman Wes Lunt and one in the final minutes by Clint Chelf, and also lost a Joseph Randle fumble in the first half.

-9 – That is Oklahoma State's turnover margin on the season through eight games. Last season the Pokes finished No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin at plus-21. Not only is the defense not forcing many turnovers in 2012, the offense is giving the ball away at alarming rate but a lot of that falls on inexperience in a rebuilding campaign.

504 – Oklahoma State's total offense against Kansas State. That is the most given up by the Wildcats this season. The previous high was 442 by Texas Tech last Saturday in the Wildcats' 55-24 victory against the Red Raiders. OSU actually outgained the Wildcats, who had 481 yards Saturday night.

54 – Oklahoma State struck first with a fantastic 54-yard touchdown connection between Lunt and fellow true freshman wideout Austin Hays on the Cowboys' first offensive possession.

43 – Rushing yards for Oklahoma State standout tailback Joseph Randle, marking his lowest output of the year and only the second time the Cowboy junior has been held under 100 yards this season (80 yards against Kansas).

2 – The number of kickoff returns for touchdowns allowed by OSU this season. Both came in OSU losses, one against Texas and then Saturday's 100-yard touchdown return by Tulsa native Tyler Lockett.

199 – Kick return yards allowed by OSU's special teams. This has been a sore spot for the Pokes in recent years and can again be pointed to as a major factor in the Cowboys' loss against the Wildcats. KSU routinely set itself up in good field position, hamstringing a Cowboy defense that otherwise played a solid game.

233 – The passing yardage total from OSU third-string quarterback Clint Chelf, who entered the game in the second half in relief of an injured Wes Lunt. Chelf performed well, completing 16-of-27 passes with a touchdown and a late interception. He also ran for 33 yards on four carries.