OSU’s Oregon Win First Step in Rebuilding Confidence in Program

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If you’re anything like me, watching Oklahoma State football the last couple of years has changed you.

We used to call them the “Cardiac Cowboys” fondly. Games had more drama than seemed necessary but, in the end, you had at least a modicum of hope that they could pull it out, even down a couple scores in the fourth quarter. Teams that would downright frustrate their fanbase on the way to a nine- or 10-win season.

But over the last few years, something started to slip. Somehow, even with the 10 wins, the Bedlam game and the Big 12 title berth, those teams in 2022 and 2023 inspired doubt. OSU was talented and the 2023 Cowboys accomplished a lot, but they always felt one play away from disaster.

The Cowboys lacked confidence. Not necessarily in themselves or from their coaches, but from the rest of us: fans, spectators, those of us who cover the team. But on Saturday, the Cowboys took a huge step toward building that confidence, and it started from the opening kickoff.

OSU forced a three-and-out on Oregon’s first drive. They weren’t supposed to be able to do that. Then, look what we have here, a defensive lapse by the Ducks allowed Drew Mestemaker to break loose for a 75-yard run. Full disclosure: Once he was called out-of-bounds, I told group that I knew OSU would have to settle for a field goal. I was right about the field goal, but not right about the Cowboys.

Then the defense forced another three-and-out and essentially allowed 3 points the entire first half, if you don’t count a 1-yard drive resulting from Mestemaker’s second interception. Other than one long TD drive and another where Oregon started at midfield, the Pokes smothered the Ducks’ offense all game.

But the Cowboys need a star to lead them. Mestemaker inspired confidence in his teammates and that slowly bled up into the seats in the stadium.

“Yeah, I think it’s big time to have a big play that early in the game,” Mestemaker said of his 75-yard run. “I think it kind of sets the tone for the offense and gets everyone in the right mindset. Especially with guys like that. I’m not saying we didn’t expect to win, but like, those guys are good. So, to have a big play like that early, is big time for our confidence.”

There were the two interceptions, each a bit fluky, but not ideal. But Mestemaker didn’t flinch. After a rough outing and plenty of outside noise between Tulsa and Oregon, he looked as calm and collected as you’d expect a seasoned veteran would. After the first pick, Mestemaker came out and completed three-straight passes. Then after the second, he went 3-for-3 on the next drive including a touchdown.

Mestemaker looked more like the nation’s top draft prospect than Dante Moore, the one we were all touting coming in. He wasn’t perfect, but Mestemaker didn’t get rattled and was in control of the offense the entire game. He commanded the pocket, made some pro-level throws and then proved to his teammates and fans that he would do whatever it took to win, up to launching himself several feet over a defender knowing he’d take a body blow.

“I kind of like just knew I could get what was there and then things just kind of opened up,” Mestemaker said of his acrobatic TD run. “I’ve never been much of a jumper, but I guess today I was. I mean, I wouldn’t call myself a dual threat, but if you’re going to leave me open, I’ll take off on you.”

But hype and confidence are two different things. One can feed the other, but the former is for those on the outside. If the Pokes get too high on themselves, they risk a result similar to Week 1. That will be the true test of this team. Can they approach Murray State or West Virginia the same way they prepared for a Top 10 Oregon team?

That will be the difference.

“We just can’t get too high or get too low,” said Wyatt Young after the game. “You have to be able to calm yourself down in big moments and not freak out when stuff like that happens. I had full confidence, and Drew was going around preaching to everybody, ‘Stay levelheaded, stay levelheaded, we’re good. This is our game.’ We all felt it in the energy, and I felt like the fans felt it, too. They did a hell of a job today supporting us. It was loud as ever in there. It was just great to be a part of.”

It’s hard to divorce the Cowboys’ identity the last two seasons from the expectation placed on this year’s team. But the two squads are about as different as they can be over an offseason. And that’s what it looks like they are proving.

Confidence from the outside is going to be harder to earn after a 21-game losing streak against FBS opponents. Maybe Oregon just actually isn’t any good. Maybe OSU goes out and drops half of its Big 12 games. Shoot, maybe the Cowboys sleepwalk through Murray State next Saturday. It’s possible that Oregon was just lightning in the bottle, but I’m starting to doubt it.