For just a fleeting moment in Missouri’s battle against No. 4 Oklahoma State on Saturday, the crowd at Faurot Field seemed to collectively think the same idea: This is within our grasp. The players on the field felt it too, as the momentum clearly rested in Missouri’s favor during halftime.

It was only for a moment. A couple of turnovers and mental lapses later, the Cowboys had pulled ahead for good and the Tigers’ fans began filing out of the stadium.

Opportunity lost.

“Against a team like this, a really, really good football team, we have to take advantage of every single opportunity, and we have to make it work to your advantage for you,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “We just didn’t do that today.”

Instead, the Cowboys took advantage of an early lead and costly Missouri mistakes to hand the Tigers a 45-24 loss. Oklahoma State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12 Conference) remains unbeaten after snapping Missouri’s (3-4, 1-3) 10-game home winning streak.

Missouri sophomore quarterback James Franklin suffered perhaps his worst performance in his seven-game career as starter. He accounted for four turnovers while throwing for just 184 yards, the lowest total since his first start of the season.

“I didn’t play my best today, and it’s frustrating,” Franklin said. “But being sad about it isn’t going to do anything, so it’s just something that I’ve just got to move on with. It’s a little tough, but great players can do it good.”

Oklahoma State jumped on the board early thanks to a near-perfect start by senior quarterback Brandon Weeden. Weeden completed 19 of 25 passes for 216 yards and two scores in the first quarter alone, and probably would’ve done more damage if his receivers hadn’t dropped four passes.

Facing a 21-3 deficit, Missouri found its legs on offense in the second quarter. Junior tailback Kendial Lawrence finished off a six-minute, 78-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown run. Franklin connected with junior wide receiver T.J. Moe for a 34-yard score two drives later to cut OSU’s lead to seven.

“We really never want to be behind (at halftime),” sophomore cornerback E.J. Gaines said. “We were okay with it. We weren’t happy with it, but being within distance, it gives us a chance.”

After Gaines intercepted a Weeden pass minutes into the second half, it looked like momentum had continued to swing to Missouri’s side.

But after leading his offense into the OSU red zone, Franklin made a critical mistake. On second-and-goal, Franklin decided to keep the ball but didn’t get it tucked away before an OSU defender swatted it free.

Oklahoma State recovered, tailback Joseph Randle scored a 59-yard touchdown and Missouri never regained momentum.

“You have to look at the turnovers; I think we had four today and you just can’t do that,” Pinkel said. “You’re going to put yourself in a difficult situation. You have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you.”

That wasn’t a problem for Oklahoma State’s offense, which turned three turnovers into three scores. When Missouri managed to get pressure and disrupt the passing game near the end of the first half, the Cowboys simply let Randle run loose. Randle ran nine times for 108 yards and two scores in the second half.

Senior safety Kenji Jackson said the defense couldn’t use its opponent’s talent as an excuse for underperforming.

“They have good players and good athletes,” Jackson said. “But I feel like we were in good position to make plays and we just didn’t make them. It’s been like that for us the whole season, just not getting off the field when we need to. We did sometimes, but when it counts we just struggled a little bit today.”

Missouri is now in an unfamiliar position, needing at least three wins in its final five games to become bowl eligible. In recent years, a bowl appearance was just a fact of life. Now, Jackson admits the locker room feels a bit stunned by the team’s struggles this season.

“There’s not really a huge frustration level,” Jackson said, before pausing to gather his thoughts. “It’s just different. Guys are just kind of starry eyed just because (many of the seniors) haven’t really been in this situation. It’s just a challenge. It’s unfortunate its our senior year.”

He then straightened up with a look of pride in his eyes.

“But what greater challenge than this?” he said. “We’re going to keep fighting. We’ll never give up. We’re going to keep pressing.”