Oklahoma State didn’t just beat Murray State on Saturday night. It buried the Racers 59-0 at Boone Pickens Stadium, and the story of the night was how thoroughly the Cowboys controlled every phase.
The defense set the tone early and never let go. Mo Horn was everywhere, and the fifth-year corner from Broken Arrow turned in the kind of performance that jumps off the page no matter who’s on the other sideline.
Horn, who came over from Texas Tech, had two tackles for a loss on Murray State’s opening series alone. Every one of his three tackles finished behind the line.
He also broke up a third-down pass in the second quarter to help force a punt and shut down multiple screen attempts. It was Murray State, sure, but it still counted as a big night for Horn and the OSU defense.
That unit also delivered a milestone. The shutout was Oklahoma State’s first since a 23-0 win over Texas Tech in 2021, and the first at home since the Cowboys blanked Savannah State 84-0 in 2012.
The special teams and backup roles gave the Cowboys even more to like. Luke Webb, a third-team defensive tackle, came through with a field goal block in the first quarter, and that turned out to be the Racers’ closest brush with points. For preserving the shutout, he earned his own A+.
On offense, the running back rotation kept sorting itself out. Eric Morris was waiting for a No. 2 back to show up, and Ayo Adeyi made a strong push. The James Madison transfer carried seven times for 67 yards and looked like the clear second option behind Caleb Hawkins, who ran for 72 yards on 11 carries.
Tre Page III added 58 yards and became the first Cowboy running back to score. William Mason was the fourth back to see the field, which left freshman KD Jones fifth on the depth chart. Jones made his first carry count anyway, taking it in for a 6-yard touchdown and finishing with seven carries for 54 yards.
Oklahoma State piled up 301 rushing yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry, with the backs doing plenty of the heavy lifting.
Miles Coleman also left a mark in a different way. Justin Bowick’s 178 receiving yards was the headline, but Coleman put together a 168-yard all-purpose night that kept the Cowboys moving.
He caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, scoring on a jet sweep when Mestemaker flipped him the ball forward. Coleman was even more dangerous as a punt returner, piling up 115 yards on five returns for a 23-yard average and breaking one for 55 yards.
Wyatt Young, who entered the game as OSU’s leading receiver, had only one catch, but it was a memorable one. He hauled in a one-handed touchdown on a fade from Mestemaker that seemed out of reach.
The Cowboys also leaned into the look of the night. Oklahoma State honored the 1976 Tangerine Bowl team by wearing orange helmets with a white decal, a gray facemask, orange jerseys and white pants.
The old-school logo on the helmet fit the moment, and Eric Morris’ white T-shirt with the vintage mark drew its own attention. There was even a note of skepticism about Morris going without a hat.
The drone show? Not quite the same success. It drew a C-, partly because dusk is a tough time to pull one off and partly because drone shows just aren’t for everyone.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Got What It Needed Before Big 12 Play Begins
Oklahoma State got a useful tune-up before Big 12 play, and the focus after the game landed where it often does in September: on how cleanly the Cowboys handled the details. Their head coach praised the defense and the way the offense executed in the first half, even if things got a little sloppy late, and he also singled out new faces William Mason and Markeith Williams for the kind of contributions that can matter once conference games tighten up.
There was also reason for encouragement around the passing game, with the staff expressing confidence in freshman quarterback Broderick Vehrs after a composed showing in a limited role. Wide receiver Justin Bowick added another layer to the offensive picture, talking about the work that went into preparing with quarterback Drew Mestemaker and pointing to his recent 100-yard outing as a sign that his role is starting to settle in at the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Still Has One Big Question Behind Drew Mestemaker
Oklahoma States quarterback picture behind Drew Mestemaker has taken a more defined shape, at least on the first glance at the depth chart. Freshman Broderick Vehrs is the first backup in line, a notable spot for a player who enrolled in spring 2026 after coming out of high school in Arizona, while senior Grant Jordan remains part of the conversation as well.
Offensive coordinator Sean Brophy has said he feels good about both options, which gives the Cowboys some comfort if they ever need to dip into the reserve role. Even so, the final call has not been locked in, with Vehrs and Jordan still listed as alternatives and Brophy leaving that decision to Eric Morris as Oklahoma State keeps sorting out the job behind its starter. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State's Explosive Offense Just Gave Cowboys Fans Real Hope
Oklahoma State finally looked the part on offense in its nonconference meeting with Murray State, and it came in the kind of burst that can change the mood around a season. Ayo Adeyi was dynamic on the ground, averaging 9.6 yards per carry, while Drew Mestemaker was sharp throughout the afternoon, completing 90% of his passes and helping the Cowboys move the ball with ease.
Justin Bowick was the biggest beneficiary, piling up 178 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches as the passing game kept stretching the field. The bigger question now is whether that sharp showing can carry over once the schedule gets tougher, because performances like this are nice in September only if they become a baseline and not just a one-game jolt. [Read more 🡒]