Quarterback to Back: Drew Mestemaker Makes OSU Debut against Tulsa’s Baylor Hayes

The Eric Morris Era is finally upon us, which means (for now) this is the Drew Mestemaker Era.

The sophomore is as touted and accomplished as anyone to ever step into the Cowboys’ QB1 role. He’s coming off an electric breakout freshman season, leading the nation in passing yards and landing in the Top 5 in most of the QB categories that matter.

Mestemaker is set to throw his first pass in an OSU uniform on Saturday in Tulsa. Across the field is another redshirt sophomore in Baylor Hayes, who is undefeated against the Pokes. Let’s take a look at the QB matchup for Week 1.

As a placeholder, I’m including each quarterback’s 2025 stats. After we get going, this will change into a running tally for 2026.

We’ve gone over Mestemaker and what he brings to the table, so let’s take a look Hayes (PTSD warning).

The statistical comparison is obviously pretty lopsided, but let’s examine Hayes without the burden of being compared to Mestemaker.

He got his career started at the FCS level, playing for current Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb at East Tennessee State. He appeared in just two games as true freshman and went 18-for-30 for 181 yards. He did win his only start, beating the Virginia Military Institute with a stat line of 15-for-25 for 119 yards.

Hayes followed Lamb to Tulsa but didn’t appear in their first game. He came in Week 2, subbing in for Kirk Francis throwing a TD and a pick, but it was enough to earn him the starting job for Tulsa’s trip to Stillwater in Week 3.

That might have been the highlight of his young career. Hayes went 23-for-36 against the Cowboys, for 219 yards and touchdown, and he got to celebrate with his family after an upset win in BPS (see above photo).

The Golden Hurricane would finish the season just 4-8, but Hayes led them to three of those wins. After the upset in Stillwater, Tulsa lost five straight before back-to-back wins over Oregon State and Army on the road. Hayes finished both games completing more than 60% of his passes and combined for 430 yards and two TDs without a pick.

And he looks to take the next step in Year 2 in Tulsa. Lamb spoke with media this week and lauded his QB for work both in the gym and learning the playbook.

“But proud of his development as a quarterback,” Lamb said. “I think last year, he was just kinda an athlete running around making plays when we needed a play made. … So, we’re giving him more on his plate, and he’s only gonna continue to develop.”

The Cowboys and Golden Hurricane kick off the 2026 season at 2:45 p.m. Saturday in Tulsa.