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Five Takeaways From Oklahoma State’s 59-0 Blowout of Murray State
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- Five Takeaways From Oklahoma State’s 59-0 Blowout of Murray State
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State did exactly what it was supposed to do.
There was no post- Oregon hangover, no allowing an overmatched FCS opponent to stick around and no fourth-quarter drama.
The Cowboys dominated Murray State 59-0 on Saturday night, piling up 662 yards while holding the Racers to only 160 in their final tune-up before Big 12 play.
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Here are five takeaways from Oklahoma State's second consecutive victory.
1. Oklahoma State Dominated Like It Should Have
That might sound like the lowest possible bar against Murray State, but Oklahoma State's recent history against FCS opponents showed it wasn't necessarily a given.
OSU beat Missouri State just 23-16 in 2021, Central Arkansas 27-13 in 2023 and UT Martin 27-7 last season.
There was nothing remotely uncomfortable about this one. The Cowboys scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions, led 31-0 at halftime and finished with 662 yards, 33 first downs and 9.0 yards per play.
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Drew Mestemaker completed 20 of 22 passes for 324 yards and five touchdowns. OSU added 301 yards on the ground. More importantly, the Cowboys played fast and efficiently regardless of the score.
Mestemaker's second-quarter fumble was the lone major offensive mistake, and even after the starters left, the production continued.
Backup quarterback Broderick Vehrs went 6-of-6 and threw a touchdown. The reserves continued moving the football and eventually pushed the lead to 59.
OSU didn't play down to its competition. They overwhelmed them.
2. Oklahoma State's Defensive Depth Was Everywhere
Oklahoma State's defense has developed some recognizable names early this season. Ethan Wesloski, Jaleel Johnson and others have consistently been around the football. Saturday showed the Cowboys might have considerably more depth behind them.
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Mo Horn repeatedly flashed in the backfield early. Enai White generated pressure and a tackle for loss. Jerry Lawson made plays against the run. Quinton Hammonds delivered one of the biggest hits of the night. DJ Jackson Jr., Saadiq Clemons, Christian Bodner and others also got involved.
Then Malik Charles intercepted Baxter Wright in the second half. By the end of the night, Malachi Williams led OSU with five tackles. That's exactly what a game like this should provide.
Murray State managed only 160 yards, but Oklahoma State didn't need to rely on the same handful of defenders for four quarters to accomplish it. The backups entered and the shutout remained intact.
3. Justin Bowick and Miles Coleman Are Becoming Versatile Weapons
Bowick's emergence isn't exactly subtle anymore. The receiver destroyed Murray State's secondary for nine catches, 178 yards and two touchdowns, doing all of it in the first half.
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He had receptions of 22, 28 and 27 yards before scoring from 24 and 38 yards.
But Coleman showed another dimension to his game Saturday. He scored OSU's first touchdown on a jet sweep, caught three passes for 53 yards and consistently flipped field position as a punt returner. Coleman finished with 115 punt-return yards, including a 55-yard return late in the first half.
That's two players who can affect a game in more ways than simply lining up outside and catching passes.
As Oklahoma State enters conference play, Morris suddenly has several ways to manufacture touches for both.
4. Special Teams Quietly Keeps Delivering
For the second consecutive week, Oklahoma State's special teams did its job — and then some.
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Sam Keltner followed his perfect 4-for-4 performance against Oregon by converting his only field-goal attempt against Murray State, a 23-yarder, while also handling his extra points.
Then Luke Webb provided the biggest special-teams play of the night. Murray State had driven into scoring range during the first quarter and lined up for a 37-yard field goal with an opportunity to cut OSU's lead to 7-3. Webb blocked it. Murray State never threatened the scoreboard again until a late fourth-quarter drive ended on downs. Add Coleman's 115 punt-return yards, and this was another complete special-teams performance.
Those details might disappear inside a 59-point blowout. They won't when Big 12 games are decided by one possession.
5. Is Ayo Adeyi or Tre Page the No. 2 Running Back?
Caleb Hawkins remains the clear headliner in Oklahoma State's backfield. What happens behind him isn't nearly as settled.
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Adeyi received the first opportunities Saturday and made the most of them, rushing seven times for 67 yards. He consistently generated positive gains and averaged nearly 10 yards per carry.
Then Page got his opportunity after halftime. He responded with 58 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, including a 20-yard run.
Morris has maintained that the competition behind Hawkins remains open, and Page had something to prove after his fumble against Tulsa.
Saturday didn't necessarily settle anything. If anything, it made the decision more interesting.
And the depth goes beyond those two. KD Jones rushed seven times for 54 yards and a touchdown, while William Mason added 46 yards on five attempts. Five Oklahoma State running backs finished with at least 46 rushing yards.
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Hawkins is still RB1. But as Big 12 play begins, who gets the next carry might be one of the more interesting offensive personnel battles to watch.
Oklahoma State won't learn much about its ceiling from beating Murray State 59-0. But the Cowboys did everything they could reasonably have been asked to do.
They dominated early, got their starters out, gave younger players meaningful work and showed off depth on both sides of the football.
Now the evaluation gets significantly more difficult. Big 12 play begins next week at West Virginia .
