Wyatt Young Apologizes After Costly Late Penalty
On October 31, Oklahoma State receiver Wyatt Young’s late unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helped Iowa State set up a game-winning field goal in a 51-49 loss. Young later apologized to fans, coach Eric Morris and his teammates.
Young scored the go-ahead touchdown with 53 seconds remaining, putting Oklahoma State ahead 49-48. After the catch, he passed by Iowa State’s cheerleaders, seemingly taunted fans in the stands and interacted with an official. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was assessed on the ensuing kickoff, moving Oklahoma State’s kicking point from the 35-yard line to the 20.
The shorter kickoff could not reach the end zone, and Iowa State returned it to its 37-yard line. That helped the Cyclones get into position for Kyle Konrardy’s 34-yard field goal as time expired, sealing a 51-49 victory.
Young apologized to Cowboys fans on social media and also contacted Morris and his teammates. Speaking on November 3, Morris said Young sent him a lengthy message and arrived early at his office to address the team. Morris called Young a good teammate who had made a mistake and would learn from it. He had described the penalty as selfish after the game.
Young called his lapse in judgment inexcusable. Morris said some form of punishment was planned, but its details, including whether Young would miss playing time, were not clear. Oklahoma State’s next game is against Kansas State on November 7.
Young had seven catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa State. In his first seven games, Young recorded 43 catches, gaining 718 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. Oklahoma State has four games left; a win over Kansas State would make the Cowboys bowl eligible for the first time since 2023. Texas Tech, Arizona State and Kansas are also on the schedule.