Oklahoma State’s 39-31 win over No. 6 Oregon did more than snap a 21-game losing streak against FBS opponents. It also reshuffled the Cowboys’ depth chart in a few important spots, with some players making the most of their chances and others sliding down the pecking order after Week 2.
The biggest stock-up may belong to the offensive line, where the Cowboys found stability in a hurry. Torgeson was named the starter at left tackle just before kickoff and never came off the field.
More than that, Oklahoma State’s offense looked comfortable with him shielding Drew Mestemaker’s blind side. After Tulsa’s relentless pressure in Week 1, Mestemaker wasn’t sacked against Oregon.
That wasn’t all on Torgeson, but his climb has been impressive. He was one of the last transfers added to the roster, caught Eric Morris’ eye in fall camp, and now looks like the right answer at left tackle with Jacob Sexton out for the season.
That also means the Cowboys do not have to rush Bradyon Nelson back.
Dickson also had a strong afternoon up front. He opened at left guard, then shifted to right guard after Joseph Hanson left with an injury and Desmond Magiya slid into Dickson’s old spot on the left side.
The move made sense, too, because Dickson said after the game that he played right guard all season at North Texas in 2025. The transition was smooth, and Oklahoma State clearly trusted him to handle it.
On defense, Johnson delivered one of the game’s defining plays. His sack of Dante Moore in the third quarter came on fourth down, with Oregon down three and pushing for the lead.
It killed the momentum of a Ducks drive that had just ended in a touchdown the possession before. Johnson was part of a four-sack afternoon for the Cowboys, and his role could grow from here as Oklahoma State keeps rotating ends and tackles early in the season.
Lewis also boosted his standing with a start opposite LaDainian Fields. He took over for Mo Horn, who started the opener, and gave the Cowboys reason to keep him in that role. Lewis already knows Skyler Cassity’s defense from his time at North Texas last season, and he handled the assignment well enough to make a case for starting again next week against Murray State - and maybe beyond.
Not every change was as encouraging. Evan Jackson, who started in Week 1, was out of the starting lineup against Oregon, though he still played plenty of snaps.
It may not mean much this early, but it’s still a notable move. The same goes for Clements, who started inside against Tulsa alongside Jerry Lawson before Oklahoma State went with Iman Oates against the Ducks.
Oates appeared to suffer a leg injury late, which is something to monitor this week. Even so, the switch could simply reflect Cassity sorting out which players fit best as starters and which ones work better in rotation roles.
The backfield also had a small but telling shift. During the week, Morris said the player who practiced best would be the backup to Caleb Hawkins.
When Hawkins needed a breather in key moments, Morris turned to Ayo Adeyi, who made the most of his five carries. Page, meanwhile, got only two rushing attempts.
If practice is going to decide the pecking order, Page has work to do before Murray State.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Just Delivered The Win Cowboys Fans Desperately Needed
A 90-minute lightning delay did little to cool off Oklahoma State, which walked into a tricky early-season matchup and came away with a 39-31 upset of No. 6 Oregon. It was the Cowboys first win of the season and their first victory over the Ducks in three tries, a result built on a relentlessly productive night that saw them pile up 554 total yards while holding Oregon to 281.
Drew Mestemaker was at the center of it all, throwing for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 yards on the ground. He also delivered the run that put Oklahoma State in front for good, a timely answer in a game the Cowboys needed badly as they tried to steady themselves after a rough start. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma States Oregon Lineup Decisions Revealed A Real Roster Shakeup
Oklahoma States trip from a loss to Tulsa to a win over No. 6 Oregon came with more than a few lineup tweaks, and the changes offered a clear look at how the staff reshuffled things heading into a major nonconference test. The biggest adjustment came up front, where Shaun Torgeson moved in at left tackle after Jacob Sexton went down, while other spots also got a fresh look as the Cowboys tried to settle the right five and the right matchups.
The shakeup did not stop there. Oklahoma State also altered its starting mix at defensive tackle, cornerback and safety, and even opened the game without a tight end on the field, a notable wrinkle for a team trying to find stability after an uneven start. For a roster still sorting out who fits where, the victory over Oregon suggested the changes were more than just cosmetic, even if the full long-term picture remains to be sorted out. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Suddenly Has A CFP Scheduling Problem Fans Will Debate
Oklahoma States win over Oregon was the kind of early-season result that ripples far beyond Stillwater, because it immediately dragged the old debate about ambitious non-conference scheduling back into focus. The Cowboys 39-31 victory gave their students a reason to celebrate in memorable fashion, with a goalpost ending up in Theta Pond, and it also supplied fresh evidence for coaches who believe the payoff of taking on a heavyweight is worth the risk.
Brent Venables, Steve Sarkisian and Dan Lanning all weighed in on the broader College Football Playoff implications, and their comments underscored how thin the line can be between earning respect and absorbing a loss that lingers in the selection conversation. For programs trying to build a playoff rsum, the question is no longer just whether a showcase game helps the brand, but whether the committee will reward the courage of playing it or punish the teams that take the swing and miss. [Read more 🡒]