Oklahoma State heads into its Halloween night trip to Iowa State riding a second-half surge against Colorado, but Clint Chelf isn’t pretending Ames is the kind of place that hands out easy wins.
The former Cowboys quarterback, now part of the Cowboy Radio Network broadcast team, said the setting alone makes this one different. He pointed to the night-game environment, the crowd and everything that comes with playing at Iowa State.
“It’s as good of an atmosphere, I think, as you’re gonna find for a night game of the Big 12,” Chelf said of playing at Iowa State.
He added, “It’s a spooky place, and Halloween night,” a fitting description for a trip he remembers as cold, rough and loud.
Chelf joined Oklahoma’s Own sports director John Holcomb to talk through Oklahoma State’s season, and the conversation kept circling back to Drew Mestemaker. The quarterback’s growth has been impossible to miss, and Chelf said the offensive line deserves a big share of the credit.
“For me, it starts up front with the offensive line,” Chelf said.
That front has done more than just keep Mestemaker upright. Chelf said the unit has helped the Cowboys run the ball and let the offense settle in, which he sees as one of the main reasons the attack has taken off.
From there, Chelf zeroed in on Mestemaker’s traits. He praised the quarterback’s arm strength, pocket feel and ability to hit throws from different angles.
“He navigates the pocket well, but he can make any throw on the field,” Chelf said.
Chelf even compared that passing ability to former Cowboy Brandon Weeden, especially when it comes to challenging throws downfield. And in his view, Mestemaker’s play has already put him on NFL radars.
“I’m of the opinion he’ll be the first quarterback taken,” Chelf said.
Still, Chelf said he’d like to see Mestemaker back in Stillwater next season, even if the quarterback has a real chance to test the draft process.
The Cowboys enter the game at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, according to the records discussed during the podcast, and Chelf believes the team is trending in the right direction after the Colorado win. He said Oklahoma State earned credit for capitalizing on mistakes and turning that into momentum, especially on defense after halftime.
“You still gotta be there to make those plays,” Chelf said.
Chelf also looked back on the Tulsa loss, pointing to the injury to offensive lineman Jacob Sexton and the difficulty of adjusting in the middle of the game. He gave Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb and the Golden Hurricane credit for their preparation and physical style, while noting that Oklahoma State has since taken a clear step forward, particularly on the offensive line.
Now comes the hard part: Ames on Halloween night. Chelf said the home-field edge there can matter, especially with the cold, the surface and the atmosphere working against visiting teams. He also brought up Oklahoma State’s memorable 2011 trip there, saying the energy around this matchup feels similar.
Even with all that, Chelf likes what the Cowboys are bringing into the game. He singled out the experience on the roster and Mestemaker’s presence under center.
“I like the fact that we have a veteran team, that we have the best player in Drew Mestemaker at the most important position,” Chelf said.
Oklahoma State and Iowa State are set for Saturday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.
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