It was quite the show on Sunday’s home dual-game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Missouri. The victory achieved by David Taylor‘s wrestlers was indeed a showcase of a dominating force by the team. From 125 pounds’ Troy Spratley to 184 pounds’ Dustin Plott, both ended up ensuring major decisions for the team.

The Cowboys were able to get quite the support at the attendance of their final home dual game. Competing with a No. 20 team, the popularity and interest seen among the fans were quite big in comparison to its away matches. It was not even the match against their top three rivals, including No. 2 Iowa, No. 13 Iowa State, or No. 22 OU.

Appreciating David Taylor’s coaching skills, Oklahoma State University’s Senior Associate Athletic Director came with his mention of Taylor’s team achieving such a feat against a competitor like Missouri. Giving a shoutout on social media, he reflected on how the team held its popularity among its fans and people of today. In his words, “This happens in a year in which none of OSU’s traditional rivals, OU, Iowa, or Iowa State, were on the home schedule,” in reference to the mind-boggling attendance of over 10,700 people at the arena that day.

With over 34 NCAA Championship titles and 143 individual National Champions honors, Sunday’s win marked the Cowboys’ 45th undefeated victory in the home dual season competed at the Gallagher-Iba Arena. Now, how much of the success seen in the bleachers was evident in the matches themselves?

David Taylor’s Cowboys performance against rivals

Ending up with a victory by 36-3, the Cowboys’ pairing up with a team like Missouri gained them their fifth highest attendance of 10,740. The No. 20-ranked University of Missouri, with an 11th place finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships, however, did not expect the crowd on Sunday’s match.

Although David Taylor’s Cowboys haven’t had the chance to face their biggest rivals in home duals this season, they are set to compete against tough opponents like OU, Iowa, and Iowa State. One of college wrestling’s greatest rivalries is between No. 2 Iowa and No. 3 Oklahoma State—a battle that has remained intense since the 1970s. Both programs have consistently pushed each other to be the best, making their matchups some of the most anticipated in the sport.

The Cowboys’ second biggest rival is No. 13 Iowa State, whom they defeated 27-12 on January 26, securing their 64th all-time victory in the series. Their third major rivalry is with in-state opponent Oklahoma. In this historic matchup, the Cowboys have dominated, boasting 34 NCAA titles compared to OU’s 7.

This highlights the lasting relevance of the Oklahoma State Cowboys among fans. They don’t need high-profile rivalries to draw attention—their legacy alone keeps supporters engaged. For Oklahoma fans, the opponent matters far less than the team’s continued dominance. Additionally, David Taylor’s coaching has only added to their growing popularity.