DALLAS (FWAA) – The Oklahoma State Cowboys rebounded from a season-opening defeat with one of the biggest upsets in program history, overwhelming No. 6 Oregon statistically and answering the Ducks’ fourth-quarter rally to earn a 39-31 victory at Boone Pickens Stadium. For knocking off a 23½-point favorite and snapping a 12-game losing streak, Oklahoma State earned the Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Sept. 12, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.
Oklahoma State (1-1) amassed 554 total yards on offense and held Oregon to 281, controlling the football for nearly 37 minutes before 51,035 fans. The Cowboys outgained the Ducks 353-101 in the first half and led 24-17 at halftime, despite Oregon scoring 14 points following interceptions.
The victory was Oklahoma State’s first over an AP top-six opponent since defeating No. 5 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2021 season and its first over an AP top-10 opponent since beating No. 10 Oklahoma in 2023. According to ESPN, it marked the first time in FBS history that a team ended a losing streak of at least 10 games by defeating an AP top-10 opponent.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker delivered 426 yards of total offense, completing 26 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 109 yards and another score. His 75-yard run on Oklahoma State’s first offensive play set the tone, and his 52-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt Young gave the Cowboys a 24-14 second-quarter lead.
After Oregon moved ahead 31-30 early in the fourth quarter, Mestemaker directed a 12-play, 75-yard drive and finished it by launching himself over defenders for a 10-yard touchdown run. The Cowboys’ defense then forced a turnover on downs, and Sam Keltner’s fourth field goal supplied the final margin.
Caleb Hawkins rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown while Young caught seven passes for 121 yards and a score. Oklahoma State finished with 237 rushing yards, 25 first downs and seven offensive plays of at least 20 yards. The Cowboys’ defense recorded four sacks, allowed only 12 first downs and held Oregon to 5-of-14 on third down.
The win snapped Oregon’s 12-game road winning streak, which had been the longest active streak in the FBS, and ended the Ducks’ run of 41 consecutive victories over unranked opponents. It also gave Oklahoma State its 31st consecutive home-opening victory, the longest active streak in college football.
“I’m happy for our fans,” first-year Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris said after his first win at the school. “It’s been a long time coming, and we’ll have to find some new goalposts.”
This is the fifth time Oklahoma State has earned the FWAA’s National Team of the Week honor and its first since defeating No. 10 Oklahoma in the final scheduled Bedlam game in 2023. The Cowboys were also recognized in 2008, 2013 and 2018.
Oklahoma State returns home to face Murray State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Boone Pickens Stadium. ESPN+ handles the broadcast.
The FWAA has recognized a National Team of the Week since the 2002 season. Weekly candidates are evaluated by the FWAA All-America Committee with supporting data analysis from the Iron Football app. Today's announcement will also be featured on the the Cover 3 Podcast, hosted by Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell and Bud Elliott of CBS Sports. An Oklahoma State player will be featured on social media by Adam Garfield @thatguygarf on Tuesday.
Each honored team will receive a delivery of assorted Pop-Tarts and a custom-crafted game ball from Big Game USA, the Dallas-based manufacturer of handcrafted American-made footballs.
Florida Citrus Sports is a not-for-profit event-management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events. Its annual events include the Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff and the FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of approximately 1,200 men and women who cover college football. Its membership includes journalists, broadcasters, publicists and key executives involved in the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.