Quarterbacks tend to struggle in defeat, yet in its first setback of the season, Oklahoma State rode one of Spencer Sanders' best performances.

Yet a 24-21 loss last week at Iowa State, decided on a late fourth-down spot in which officials determined on the field and off replay that the Cowboys fell short of the first down, dropped Oklahoma State out of the top 10.

The No. 15 Cowboys (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) remain a threat in the conference race entering Saturday night's matchup against visiting Kansas (1-6, 0-4).