Oklahoma State Shocks No. 6 Oregon, Earns National Team of the Week Honor

The Cowboys ended a 12-game losing streak by overpowering a 23½-point favorite in one of the biggest upsets in program history.

Oklahoma State entered its game against No. 6 Oregon carrying a 12-game overall losing streak and the weight of one of the most difficult stretches in program history.

The Cowboys left Boone Pickens Stadium with a toppled goalpost, a signature victory, and a new reason to believe.

Oklahoma State accumulated 554 yards and answered an Oregon fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Ducks 39–31. The performance earned the Cowboys the Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Team of the Week honor from the Football Writers Association of America.

The Cowboys entered the game as 23½-point underdogs.

Oklahoma State Controlled the Game

The final margin did not fully capture how thoroughly Oklahoma State outplayed Oregon.

The Cowboys outgained the Ducks 554–281 and held the ball for nearly 37 minutes. They produced 25 first downs and seven offensive plays of at least 20 yards while limiting Oregon to only 12 first downs.

Oklahoma State dominated the first half, piling up 353 yards while holding Oregon to 101.

The Cowboys carried a 24–17 lead into halftime despite throwing two interceptions that Oregon returned for touchdowns. Those defensive scores kept the Ducks close in a game Oklahoma State otherwise controlled at the line of scrimmage.

Oregon finished only 5-of-14 on third down and surrendered four sacks.

Drew Mestemaker Powers the Upset

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker delivered 426 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

He completed 26 passes for 317 yards and two scores while rushing for a career-high 109 yards and another touchdown.

Mestemaker immediately signaled that Oklahoma State would not play like an overmatched underdog. On the Cowboys’ first offensive snap, he broke loose for a 75-yard run.

He later connected with Wyatt Young for a 52-yard touchdown that gave Oklahoma State a 24–14 advantage during the second quarter.

Young finished with seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Running back Caleb Hawkins added 110 rushing yards and another score as the Cowboys amassed 237 yards on the ground.

Cowboys Answer Oregon’s Fourth-Quarter Rally

Oregon finally moved in front 31–30 early in the fourth quarter, creating the type of moment that could have broken a team attempting to escape a lengthy losing streak.

Oklahoma State responded with its best drive of the game.

Mestemaker directed a 12-play, 75-yard possession and finished it by launching himself through Oregon defenders for a 10-yard touchdown run. The score gave the Cowboys a 36–31 lead with approximately four and a half minutes remaining.

Oklahoma State’s defense then stopped Oregon on downs, ending the Ducks’ opportunity to reclaim the lead.

Kicker Sam Keltner added his fourth field goal to produce the final eight-point margin. Keltner’s performance also earned him recognition as one of the Lou Groza Award’s Stars of the Week.

A Historic End to the Losing Streak

Oklahoma State had lost 12 consecutive games overall and 21 straight against FBS opponents before defeating Oregon.

According to the FWAA, it was the first time in FBS history that a team ended a losing streak of at least 10 games by defeating an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 10.

The victory was Oklahoma State’s first over an AP top-six opponent since beating No. 5 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2021 season. It was the Cowboys’ first victory over any top-10 team since defeating No. 10 Oklahoma in the final scheduled Bedlam game of 2023.

Oklahoma State also ended Oregon’s 12-game road winning streak, which had been the longest active run in the FBS. The Ducks had won 41 consecutive games against unranked opponents before arriving in Stillwater.

The victory extended Oklahoma State’s home-opening winning streak to 31 games, the longest active streak in college football.

A Memorable First Win for Eric Morris

The upset gave first-year Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris his first victory with the program.

Morris inherited a team trying to recover after a difficult 2025 season. The Cowboys then opened his tenure with a 24–10 loss to Tulsa, creating additional pressure entering the Oregon matchup.

Oklahoma State responded with a physical and disciplined performance against one of the nation’s highest-ranked teams.

“I’m happy for our fans,” Morris said. “It’s been a long time coming, and we’ll have to find some new goalposts.”

His final remark became literal after Oklahoma State supporters stormed the field, tore down a goalpost, and carried it to a nearby pond following the victory, according to The Associated Press.

Fifth National Team of the Week Honor

This marks the fifth time Oklahoma State has received the FWAA’s National Team of the Week recognition.

The Cowboys previously earned the honor in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023. The most recent selection followed their victory over Oklahoma in the final scheduled Bedlam game.

The FWAA has selected a National Team of the Week since 2002. The All-America Committee evaluates weekly candidates with additional data analysis from the Iron Football app.

Oklahoma State’s selection was not based solely on the surprise of the final score. The Cowboys beat Oregon by controlling possession, winning the yardage battle by 273, and responding immediately after the Ducks took their first lead of the fourth quarter.

For a program that had waited more than a year to defeat another FBS opponent, the upset offered more than one victory. It provided evidence that Oklahoma State may be ready to leave its longest losing streak behind.