Justin Phillips wasn’t sure why it happened.
As the Oklahoma State football team fought to regain ground against Iowa State, penalty yards were a lingering enemy.
The Cowboys fell to the Cyclones 48-42 on Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium.
It marked the first time OSU dropped a home game against ISU since 2000 and the second loss in Stillwater for the No. 25 Cowboys this season.
Costly mistakes on both sides of the ball pushed OSU (4-2 overall, 1-2 Big 12) farther away from touchdown territory and allowed the Cyclones to gain momentum.
The Cowboys accumulated nine penalties for 87 yards.