Oklahoma State’s 59-0 win over Murray State gave Eric Morris and his staff something they hadn’t really had in the first two games: a chance to spread the snaps around and learn a little more about the younger pieces on the roster.
The Cowboys didn’t use the night to shake up roles in any dramatic way. Instead, the game became a clean look at which players made the most of extra work while the starters sat down in the second half. And in a game like that, the snap count tells the story.
One of the clearest winners was offensive lineman Magiya, who ended up with the most snaps on offense at 58, all at left guard. He wasn’t expected to be a starter with the line at full strength, but with Jacob Sexton out for the season, Braydon Nelson sidelined for a couple more weeks and Joseph Hanson getting the night off, Magiya showed the staff he can handle whatever they need from him.
Terrence Lewis also made his case. The North Texas transfer picked up more work because of Chris Barnes’ injury and turned his 43 snaps into the most of any Oklahoma State wideout in the game.
He finished with two catches for 49 yards, and Morris has already pointed to his blocking as part of the reason he’s earning more trust. Lewis caught 11 passes last year at North Texas, and he’s already up to 10 this season.
Another receiver who saw a bigger workload was Polk, the redshirt junior who caught 33 passes, including nine touchdowns, for Akron last year. He played 32 snaps, the most among the non-core wide receivers, though 24 of those came on run plays.
He also added a 12-yard catch. He’s been under-used so far, and this outing at least opened the door for more.
Up front, the Cowboys got a look at what the true freshman tackle could do in a live setting. He had been good enough to serve as the backup to Jacob Sexton for the Tulsa game, and even though he is no longer on the depth chart, he still logged 25 snaps at right tackle against Murray State. If you trust the PFF numbers, he came away with a 70.3 grade.
At linebacker, Morris’ interest in the Miami (FL) transfer was obvious, but the player had only arrived in the summer and was already behind the rest of the group. Against Murray State, he took a step forward.
He played just 15 snaps, yet led the team with five tackles. Oklahoma State could use more in-game rest for Quentin Hammonds, and if Williams keeps producing like that, the Cowboys can rotate those two more often.
Carson Kolb remains the “man” at his position, and nothing in this game changed that. He scored a touchdown and played 39 snaps.
McPhaul also looks like he has carved out a role as a blocking option, finishing with 20 snaps. Beyond that, Donovan Green, Bodie Boydstun and Luke Logan combined for just 20 snaps, which says plenty about where that trio stands right now in the eyes of Morris and his staff.
The game was already under control by early in the third quarter, but only two true freshmen saw any defensive snaps. Defensive tackle Savion Barthelemy played seven, and defensive tackle Nygel Farsee played two.
A handful of true freshmen got into the game on offense, but only two on defense. That alone may say something about how far that group still has to go.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Faces A Bigger Injury Concern Than Fans Wanted
Mike Gundys injury update ahead of Oklahoma States Week 4 matchup with West Virginia offered a little relief and a little more uncertainty in equal measure. The Cowboys are still sorting through a group of players whose availability is being monitored closely, with names like Chris Barnes, Oates, Rigsby, Hammond, Hanson and Nelson all in various stages of concern as the week moves on.
The biggest setback in the mix remains up front, where Jacob Sextons season-ending lower right leg injury leaves a hole at left tackle that will have to be managed for the long haul. Barnes is expected to be back this week, but several others, including Oates, Rigsby and Hanson, still look unsettled as Oklahoma State heads toward Wednesdays injury report and a game plan that may need some late adjustments. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma States First Big 12 Lineup Choice Says Plenty Before West Virginia
Oklahoma State is heading into its first Big 12 test of the 2026 season with the kind of backdrop that makes every lineup decision feel larger than usual. The Cowboys are trying to turn the page on conference play after a long run of league frustration, and the matchup with West Virginia gives them an early chance to show whether the reset can look different this time around.
West Virginia brings an unbeaten record into the game, which only raises the stakes for the Cowboys first conference depth chart of the year. The release of that lineup offered the first real hint at how Oklahoma State plans to attack the Mountaineers, and it said plenty about the staffs thinking before a game that already feels important for more than just the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Enters Big 12 Play With One Real Readiness Test
Before Oklahoma State opens Big 12 play at West Virginia, Eric Morris is treating the trip as more than just a conference debut. The Cowboys have spent the week focused on the kind of details that can get lost on the road, especially when a team is stepping into a tougher environment and trying to stay sharp through the noise and routine changes that come with travel.
There is also some good news on the roster front. Sophomore receiver Chris Barnes is back after dealing with a shoulder injury, and several injured offensive linemen have been practicing as the Cowboys try to build some continuity up front. Morris also said the depth chart in the backfield figures to stay active, with all four backup running backs expected to get into games this season. [Read more 🡒]