Oklahoma State falls to Tulsa in new coach’s debut
Oklahoma State Suffers Season-Opening Loss
Oklahoma State began its season with a 24-10 loss to in-state rival Tulsa, marking the debut of new coach Eric Morris. This defeat extends Oklahoma State’s current losing streak in the FBS to 12 games. The game, played on Saturday, saw Tulsa secure its first consecutive victories against Oklahoma State since the 1951-52 seasons.
The outcome follows a significant change for Oklahoma State, which fired its previous coach, Mike Gundy, last season after a loss to Tulsa. Morris, who joined Oklahoma State from North Texas after an 11-win season, described his team’s first-half performance as “as bad as you can play” during an interview with OSU’s radio network. The team featured an NCAA-record 92 new players.
Tulsa, entering the game as 13.5-point underdogs, managed the victory despite converting only one third down out of 11 attempts. Tulsa’s defense was a key factor, forcing four Oklahoma State turnovers while committing just one themselves. Tulsa coach Tre Lamb expressed his expectation to win the game, noting that despite the victory, his team made several mistakes and the final score could have been more decisive, potentially 30-10 or 37-10.
Quarterback Struggles and Offensive Line Issues
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who followed Coach Morris from North Texas, struggled in his debut for Oklahoma State. Mestemaker, reportedly one of the sport’s highest-paid quarterbacks with a two-year deal averaging just under $4 million annually, finished the game 29-of-49 for 241 yards, recording one touchdown and two interceptions. His second interception occurred on his final throw of the day. Last season, Mestemaker had thrown multiple touchdown passes in all but three games.
Mestemaker’s performance was hampered by an offensive line that frequently left him under pressure. Coach Morris highlighted a critical interception in the end zone, drawing parallels to similar plays Mestemaker made last season in the conference championship game against Tulane. Morris noted that Mestemaker’s tendency to throw across his body while scrambling, particularly when facing heavy defensive coverage, has led to negative outcomes in the past.
The offensive line faced further challenges when starting left tackle Jacob Sexton was carted off the field due to an injury on the sixth offensive snap. Mestemaker acknowledged the team’s poor offensive showing, stating it was the most embarrassing offensive performance he had been a part of. He also took personal responsibility, emphasizing his need to play better to help the offense improve.
Tulsa’s Victory and Future Outlook
Tulsa coach Tre Lamb credited his team’s physical play, stating, “We dominated up front.” Lamb also noted the team’s improved conditioning and player quality on the line of scrimmage compared to the previous season. He emphasized the significance of the win for the state of Oklahoma and for recruiting efforts, asserting, “We’re Tulsa’s team.”
Lamb, in his second year as Tulsa’s coach, reflected on last year’s victory over Oklahoma State as a “statement win,” indicating his team was tired of being seen as the lesser rival. However, he also recalled the frustration of losing four consecutive games after that emotional upset. This time, while there was a brief locker room celebration, there was also considerable frustration over mistakes that made the final score closer than the team felt it should have been.
Tulsa finished 4-8 in Lamb’s first season. The team gained attention during the offseason for its unique approach to transfer portal activity, with the coaching staff spending two weeks living in a “Portal House.” Lamb pointed to his team’s experience, with a roster ranking high in career starts and snaps within the conference, as a sign of future potential. He believes Tulsa has the chance to be one of the better teams in the league, noting that the players were almost disappointed the score wasn’t more lopsided, which he views as a positive sign.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State is set to host No. 2 Oregon next week. The team will then open Big 12 play on September 26 at West Virginia, where it will attempt to end an 18-game losing streak in Big 12 play.
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Source: nytimes.com
