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In his inaugural season at the helm of Oklahoma State football, head coach Eric Morris has made it clear that moral victories hold no value. Fortunately for him, his team hasn't needed any, as the Cowboys continue to develop and discover various methods to secure wins.
The most recent triumph—a 42-28 decision over UCF on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium—marked the fourth straight win for Oklahoma State. The contest evolved into a test of stamina for the Cowboys' defense, which allowed 27 first downs and faced a 10-minute deficit in time of possession.
"There's going to be so much to clean up," Morris acknowledged, "but we've got to reset really fast and get ready to go on the road."
Key Analysis
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker continues to bolster his NFL draft prospects with each outing. In the win over UCF, he completed 19 of 28 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns, adding a short rushing score. More importantly, it was his first game of the season without a turnover. Mestemaker has now thrown for at least 300 yards in four consecutive games, drawing comparisons to reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen. Like Allen, who struggled in his final college season opener with two interceptions in a 24-3 loss to Iowa in 2017, Mestemaker had two interceptions in a 24-10 loss at Tulsa earlier this year. UCF head coach Scott Frost remarked, "I'll be surprised if (Mestemaker) is in college next year. Some of the plays and throws that he made, when you see that happen, you know what kind of guy they got."
Wide receiver Justin Bowick delivered a highlight-reel moment with a one-handed catch in the first quarter, reminiscent of Wyatt Young's one-handed grab against Murray State weeks earlier. The Illinois transfer finished with six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. "I mean that's the main reason I came here," Bowick said. "It's exciting to just keep getting better every week."
Linebacker Ethan Wesloski, a North Texas transfer, recorded 17 tackles for the second time this season, becoming the only FBS player with multiple games of at least 17 tackles. Despite his individual success, Wesloski emphasized the need for the defense to improve on third and fourth downs.
Safety Evan Jackson turned the tide with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, extending Oklahoma State's lead to 35-21. UCF quarterback Keyone Jackson had a productive day through the air, completing 30 of 42 passes for 265 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, but his backward pass that led to Jackson's score proved costly.
Former Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy made his debut as a studio analyst for TNT on Saturday, sporting an orange tie and expressing gratitude toward his alma mater. Gundy compiled a 170-90 record over 21 seasons as the Cowboys' head coach before departing last fall.
In Big 12 television scheduling news, the conference's two top-25 matchups on Saturday, October 17 will overlap in the 6:30 p.m. window. ABC will air No. 8 BYU hosting No. 2 Notre Dame, while Fox will broadcast No. 18 Oklahoma State visiting No. 20 Houston. The 2:30 p.m. slot features Arizona State versus No. 10 Texas Tech on Fox.
Originally reported by yahoo.