An ugly win is better than a beautiful loss, and that was certainly the case Saturday against Oklahoma State.
The 16th-ranked Cowboys beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 39-31, but needed a second-half comeback and double overtime to avoid the upset.
The Razorbacks started strong, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cowboys' first points of the day came on a 73-yard interception six by Cale Smith.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II celebrates a touchdown with Preston Wilson during a double-overtime game against the University of Arkansas at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (image)
Oklahoma State's first points came with under nine minutes left in the third quarter when kicker Logan Ward made a 45-yard field goal to make the score 21-10.
The Cowboys got the chance they needed with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Down 21-13 and still reeling from their offense, Razorbacks punt returner Isaiah Sategna fumbled a punt and the Cowboys recovered the ball at the Arkansas 25-yard line.
Two plays later, quarterback Alan Bowman passed to wide receiver Brennan Pressley for a 7-yard touchdown, then Bowman passed to DeZaun Stribling for the two-point conversion, tying the score at 21-21.
After being stopped on defense, the Cowboys turned to trick plays to jumpstart their offense. On a free flicker, Bowman found a completely free Jake Schultz for a 63-yard run into the red zone.
A few plays later, the Cowboys got creative with Pressley getting a jet sweep out of the backfield for a three-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 28-21 lead.
Derek Jeter gave an inexperienced locker room speech to the Michigan football team before their blowout loss to Texas.
Oklahoma State players Ollie Gordon II (center) and Brennan Pressley (80) celebrate with fans after the game. (image)
The Razorbacks fought back on a rushing drive, culminating in a three-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in Luke Hass' 43-yard touchdown reception from Taylen Green with just over four minutes left to tie the score at 28-28.
Bowman led the Cowboys 55 yards in three minutes to the Arkansas 20-yard line and assisted on a field goal by the 38-year-old Ward to put the Cowboys back ahead, 31-28.
With no timeouts and 55 seconds left, Green made his move.
The Razorbacks quarterback went underneath for a slight gain, then took a shot and connected with Andrew Armstrong for 33 yards to lead the drive to the Oklahoma State 27-yard line.
Arkansas kicker Kyle Ramsey booted a 45-yard field goal just inside the right goal post to tie the score at 31-31 as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
The Razorbacks had the ball first to start the game, but in overtime, Obi Ezeigbo sacked Green on third down for a crucial 12-yard loss, pushing Arkansas back to the Oklahoma 28-yard line.
Duke beats Northwestern in a thrilling double-overtime game to improve to 2-0 on the season
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green throws a pass during the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State. (William Parnell – Imag Images)
Ramsey made a good shot from 45 yards out to send the game into overtime, but missed a shot from 46 yards out in the extra period, deflecting the kick wide left and giving the Oklahoma State offense a chance to win.
But in overtime, Oklahoma State's offense wasn't much different from Arkansas's.
They managed just one total yard and had to rely on Ward's 41-yard field goal attempt to win the game.
He missed wide to the right.
Both teams missed kick attempts and the score remained 31-31 going into double overtime.
The Razorbacks silenced Heisman Trophy candidate Ollie Gordon II for much of the game, but the star running back reached the end zone on a 10-yard rush in double overtime and then converted the two-point conversion to put the Cowboys ahead, 39-31.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II kneels in celebration of the two-point conversion in double overtime. (image)
The Razorbacks offense got the ball to the Cowboys' 6-yard line, but was stopped on fourth down and 1, ruining a chance for a comeback.
The Cowboys survived, improving to 2-0 and will next face 11th-ranked Utah on Sept. 21.
Arkansas will look to bounce back when they face Auburn on September 21.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
