Drew Mestemaker’s next assignment looks a lot different on paper.
After steering the Cowboys to an upset win over then-No. 6 Oregon, the quarterback is now set to face Murray State, an FCS team still sorting out its own quarterback situation. Mestemaker has already been through the spotlight, and this week’s challenge is less about surviving a heavyweight duel and more about handling the kind of game that can go sideways if a team lets its guard down.
Murray State has been dividing work between VMI graduate transfer Collin Shannon and returning junior Jim Ogle, with Shannon getting the top billing for now. Both quarterbacks have played meaningful snaps early in the season, but the race has shifted back and forth.
Here’s how the two compare:
QB2B Mestemaker Shannon
Att. 92 63
Comp. 55 39
Pct. 59.8% 61.9%
Yds 558 405
Yds/Att 6.1 10.2
TD 3 2
INT 4 2
Rating 112.79
QBR 68.0 (41st) N/A
Rushing TDs 1 0
Shannon opened the season as the Week 1 starter in a loss to Eastern Illinois, then gave way to Ogle in Week 2 against Middle Tennessee State. In that game, Ogle handled most of the snaps and finished 11-for-16, while Shannon went just 2-of-6.
The roles flipped again last weekend against Valparaiso, when Shannon got the start and led Murray State to its first win. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 121 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and was sacked twice.
Ogle still saw plenty of action off the bench, going 7-for-13 for 73 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He wasn’t sacked.
Shannon spent four seasons at VMI, where he was named team captain in 2023 and 2025. His 2024 season was shortened by injury. He also threw passes to OSU transfer tight end Morgan McPhaul there.
Even with Shannon seemingly ahead in the pecking order, the situation is not settled. Murray State coach Jody Wright called Shannon a game-time decision earlier this week after he got banged up last week, so multiple quarterbacks could end up playing.
The Racers have leaned heavily on the run, with junior running back Tyrell Campbell leading the way. Murray State has five rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns so far this season.
For Mestemaker, this is a different kind of test. He’s already shown the highs and lows that can come with a young season, but this matchup asks something else: can he stay sharp, efficient and under control against an FCS opponent after the rush of beating Oregon? The hope for Oklahoma State is simple - that he’s watching the fourth quarter from the sideline, not trying to force the action.
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