OSU football: New netting, Cowboys’ home record highlight best, worst vs. Iowa State

Oklahoma State dropped another conference home game Saturday, suffering a 48-42 defeat to Iowa State.

Here’s the best and worst from the game:

Worst record in conference home games among Big 12 teams:

Oklahoma State

It’s true. Saturday’s defeat dropped the Cowboys to 0-2 in conference home games this season. Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Iowa State also have yet to win a home game in Big 12 play, but each of those teams have played only one conference home game. This season’s start is a piece of a more troubling trend; the Cowboys have losses in five of their past seven Big 12 home games, favored in each, and are 15-10 in such games since 2013. Their final two home games this season come against Texas and West Virginia, the only Big 12 teams still undefeated in conference play.

Best new stadium feature:

Netting

There weren’t many new features in Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, so the new netting wins by default. The netting that previously protected the Cowboys’ new video board beyond the east end zone was moved the west side, while a larger net has been added to better protect the screen.

Worst usage of new stadium feature:

Netting

The first test of the net came early thanks to a quick score from the Cowboys’ offense. Unfortunately, the crew responsible for raising the netting failed to do so in time for Matt Ammendola’s extra-point attempt. The massive video board seems capable of handling the occasional football pounding it, but it wasn’t a hot start for the stadium’s latest addition.

Best retreat:

Dylan Soehner

Soehner, an Iowa State tight end, had the best self-preservation move of the day. After Tyron Johnson’s touchdown catch late in the second quarter, Soehner began to trot onto the turf as part of the Cyclones’ kickoff-return unit. He quickly turned around as Bullet dashed onto the field for a traditional post-touchdown sprint.

Worst hands:

Zach Sinor

Punters are known for their legs, but it’s easy to forget their hands are important, too. OSU fans found that out the hard way on Sinor’s first attempt Saturday, when the snap slipped between his hands, smacked him in the facemask and rolled backwards out of bounds for a safety.