STILLWATER - Oklahoma State has already absorbed a brutal blow before No. 6 Oregon ever steps on the field in Boone Pickens Stadium.
The Cowboys will try to answer the Ducks on Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN without left tackle Jacob Sexton, who is out for the season after suffering a leg injury last week. OSU head coach Eric Morris said the 6-foot-6, 328-pound Sexton has been the team’s best offensive lineman so far, and his absence leaves a major hole on both the physical and mental side of the line.
That was on display in last Saturday’s 24-10 loss at Tulsa, when quarterback Drew Mestemaker was sacked twice and hit with 10 hurries. Center Tyler Mercer said the group didn’t handle the loss of Sexton the way it needed to.
"I would say it's difficult,” OSU center Tyler Mercer said. “I think we didn't handle that very well, quite honestly.
It's definitely in the back of our minds, like, dang, Jacob's down. But I think what we need to do better going forward is realizing that, hey, he is down and adjusting from there and realizing that it can't hold us down.
We still have to perform and protect Drew, let him make plays because he can. But ultimately, it's up to us to give him time to make those plays.”
The assignment gets even tougher against an Oregon front that brings back edge rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, along with interior linemen A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander. The Ducks recorded three sacks last week, and Mercer said Sexton’s injury can be used as fuel.
“Just asking for broader shoulders and realizing that we've gotta take another step, evidently, with this unit coming up this weekend, obviously that's gonna be a challenge,” Mercer said.
The numbers and the matchup both lean heavily toward Oregon. Oklahoma State is 0-2 all-time against the Ducks, with the first loss coming in the 2008 Holiday Bowl, and the Cowboys are a 22.5-point underdog. Saturday also marks the first time a current Big Ten Conference program has played football in Stillwater, even though Nebraska, Washington and UCLA have previously played there.
Our predictions for the game:
Joe Mussatto, columnist: Oregon 38, OSU 14
"SITTING DUCK"
OSU will put up a better fight than last year, but Oregon is the far superior football team. After not banking a win at Tulsa, OSU seems destined for an 0-2 start.
Jenni Carlson, columnist: Oregon 41, OSU 17
"DUCK AND COVER"
The Cowboys show signs of improvement after their loss to Tulsa, but the Ducks are too good for that to matter in the final score. OSU and Eric Morris have an uphill climb on their hands.
Jeff Patterson, sports editor: Oregon 41, OSU 28
"QUACKTASTIC"
Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys put up a fight in their home opener, but coach Dan Lanning's Ducks are a national title contender for a reason.
Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor: Oregon 40, OSU 24
"QUACKED UP"
The Cowboys will show more life, particularly on offense with Drew Mestemaker looking closer to the 2025 version that brought tons of hype. But the Pokes' defense has no answer for Dante Moore and the plethora of talent around him.
Ben Hutchens, OSU beat writer: Oregon 44, OSU 18
"MOORE OF THE SAME"
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has a big passing day as the Ducks comfortably defeat Cowboys for second straight year. Against strong Oregon defense and without tackle Jacob Sexton, OSU offense still looks like its coming together.
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