AP

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Finally, Taylor Cornelius has emerged from Mason Rudolph's shadow.

The fifth-year senior ran for two touchdowns and passed for another to help No. 19 Oklahoma State beat No. 17 Boise State 44-21 on Saturday.

Cornelius waited his turn for years behind Rudolph, who now is with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. He made the most of his first career start against a ranked opponent.

"It's hard to faze that guy," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.

Cornelius passed for 243 yards and ran for 41. Several times, he kept momentum going with runs and kept plays alive with his strength and deceptive speed.

"He took care of the football and he led our team with toughness, and that was great to see," Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. "He's a highly competitive guy, and that's one of the most important things any quarterback can have, is competitiveness and the willingness to lead your team, protect the football and do whatever it takes to win."

Justice Hill ran for 123 yards and a touchdown, and Tylan Wallace had five catches for 105 yards for the Cowboys (3-0).

Boise State's Brett Rypien passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns, but was sacked seven times and pressured throughout the day. Defensive end Jordan Brailford had three sacks, defensive end Jarrell Owens had two and linebacker Devin Harper had 1.5.

"Their D-line, I thought, did a good job," Rypien said. "You don't want to get into third-and-long against that defense."

Oklahoma State held the Broncos (2-1) to 34 yards rushing on 31 attempts.

A blocked punt by Oklahoma State's Amen Ogbongbemiga led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Cornelius that gave the Cowboys a 14-7 lead. Oklahoma State led 17-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Oklahoma State's Jarrick Bernard blocked another punt, and Za'Carrius Green scored on the return to push the Cowboys' lead to 34-14.

Rypien's 5-yard touchdown pass to Chase Blakley on fourth down cut Oklahoma State lead to 34-21 late in the third quarter, but the Cowboys maintained control. Cornelius closed the scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run on which several of his teammates ganged up and pushed him over the goal line.

"We're obviously disappointed in the loss," Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said. "Give credit to Oklahoma State— they played well. They played like we've seen on tape. They played fast, they played physical and they made plays."