Led by second-year head coach Jim Stanley, Oklahoma State entered the game with an overall record of 6–5, going 4–3 in Big 8 play to finish fourth in the conference.
1 Oklahoma Led by third-year head coach LaVell Edwards, BYU entered the game with an overall record of 7–3–1, going 6–0–1 in WAC play to finish first in the conference.
After completing four of five passes for 43 yards and leading the Cougars to two field goals, he was knocked out of the game, hit from behind by Cowboy defensive lineman Phil Dokes.
Oklahoma State quickly took advantage, as Tony Buck returned an interception of BYU backup Mark Giles to the Cougar 26-yard line.
The Cowboys then took control of the ball and clock and scored with 1:14 remaining on a forty-yard halfback pass play from Leonard Thompson to Gerald Bain.