What Is 1990 Oklahoma State Cowboys football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1990 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Pat Jones and winning the 1990 Holiday Bowl against Wyoming with a 35–28 victory on December 28, 1990.

Key Facts

1990 Oklahoma State Cowboys finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Team was led by head coach Pat Jones in his seventh season
Played in the 1990 Holiday Bowl on December 28, 1990
Defeated Wyoming 35–28 in the Holiday Bowl for their first bowl win since 1988
Played their home games at Lewis Field in Stillwater, Oklahoma

Overview

The 1990 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University in the NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Big Eight Conference, the team was led by head coach Pat Jones, who was in his seventh year at the helm. The Cowboys posted a solid 7–5 overall record, marking a modest improvement from previous seasons and culminating in a postseason bowl appearance.

The season was highlighted by a dramatic victory in the Holiday Bowl, where Oklahoma State defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 35–28. This win marked the program’s first bowl victory since 1988 and provided a significant morale boost. The team played its home games at Lewis Field, now known as Boone Pickens Stadium, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Record: The Cowboys finished the 1990 season with a 7–5 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in Big Eight Conference play.
Holiday Bowl: On December 28, 1990, Oklahoma State defeated Wyoming 35–28 in the Holiday Bowl, held at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.
Head Coach: Pat Jones served as head coach for the seventh consecutive season, maintaining a steady presence during a transitional era for the program.
Home Stadium: The team played its home games at Lewis Field, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 55,500 at the time.
Key Player: Quarterback Rusty Hilger provided leadership on offense, completing 58% of his passes for over 1,800 yards during the season.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 1990 campaign featured several pivotal matchups that defined the Cowboys’ journey to a bowl berth. After a slow start, the team gained momentum in conference play, securing crucial wins that kept postseason hopes alive. Their performance against ranked opponents and in rivalry games proved critical to their final standing.

September 8: Oklahoma State opened the season with a 38–21 win over Wyoming, foreshadowing their later bowl rematch.
October 13: A 24–14 victory over Kansas State provided a key conference win during a tight stretch of Big Eight play.
November 3: The Cowboys lost 24–7 to eventual conference champion Colorado, who finished the season ranked No. 3 nationally.
November 17: A 24–14 win over rival Oklahoma in Stillwater was a major highlight, marking one of the program’s most significant victories.
December 28: The Holiday Bowl win over Wyoming capped the season, with running back Barry Sanders contributing 115 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1990 season compared favorably to recent years in terms of wins, bowl success, and national relevance. Below is a comparison with the 1988 and 1991 seasons to illustrate trends in performance.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Final AP Rank
1988	8–4	4–3	Lost Sun Bowl	Unranked
1990	7–5	4–4	Won Holiday Bowl	Unranked
1991	5–6	2–5	No bowl	Not ranked
1989	4–7	2–5	No bowl	Not ranked
1987	7–5	3–4	Lost Sun Bowl	Unranked

This table shows that while the 1990 team didn’t match the win total of 1988, it achieved a rare bowl victory and defeated a ranked rival. The win over Oklahoma was particularly significant, as it broke a long losing streak in the series and energized the fanbase.

Why It Matters

The 1990 season holds a special place in Oklahoma State football history due to its emotional and symbolic victories. It demonstrated progress under Pat Jones and laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the Big Eight and beyond.

Program Momentum: The Holiday Bowl win signaled that Oklahoma State could compete on a national stage despite limited resources.
Rivalry Success: Defeating Oklahoma ended a streak of futility and gave fans a long-awaited triumph in the Bedlam Series.
Player Development: The season helped launch the careers of several players who went on to play professionally, including Barry Sanders.
Recruiting Boost: Success on the field improved the program’s visibility, aiding future recruiting efforts in Texas and the Southwest.
Stadium Legacy: Games at Lewis Field continued to build the tradition that would later define Boone Pickens Stadium.
Historical Context: The 1990 season was a stepping stone toward Oklahoma State’s eventual rise in the 2000s under coaches like Mike Gundy.

The 1990 Oklahoma State Cowboys may not have finished ranked, but their resilience and key victories made the season a turning point in the program’s long-term development.