Oklahoma State University football delivered a thrilling home‑opener in Stillwater, defeating the No. 6 Oregon Ducks 39-31 at Boone Pickens Stadium. The win marked the first triumph for the Morris‑Mestemaker era and snapped a 21‑game skid against FBS opponents.
National recognition for the quarterback
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, making only his second career start and his first at Boone Pickens, earned three national honors. He was named a Manning Award Star of the Week, a Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 recipient, and the Burlsworth Trophy Walk‑On of the Week winner. Mestemaker accounted for 426 total yards, including 317 passing yards, and three touchdowns. He also showcased his athleticism with a 75‑yard rushing gain on the opening drive.
Coach Eric Morris honored
Head coach Eric Morris received the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week award, his first such accolade in his tenure at Oklahoma State. Morris praised his players for outplaying Oregon in every facet of the game. The Cowboys amassed 554 total yards to Oregon’s 281 and secured 25 first downs compared with the Ducks’ 12.
Historical context and next steps
The victory was the program’s first over an AP top‑six opponent since the 2022 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 5 Notre Dame. With the win, the Cowboys improved to 1‑1 on the season and will travel to face Murray State on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Community impact
Fans flooded the field after the win, celebrating a performance that highlighted the team’s resilience and the leadership of both Mestemaker and Morris. The upset reinforces the Cowboys’ commitment to excellence on the field and offers a hopeful start to the season for supporters across Stillwater and the state of Oklahoma.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.