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Oklahoma State's Difference-Makers: Ethan Wesloski, Sam Keltner Continue Big 12 Dominance
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- Oklahoma State's Difference-Makers: Ethan Wesloski, Sam Keltner Continue Big 12 Dominance
(Ben Queen-Imagn Images)
Oklahoma State has plenty of offensive firepower, but two of the Cowboys' biggest difference-makers this season have made their impact on defense and special teams.
Linebacker Ethan Wesloski and kicker Sam Keltner continued their remarkable starts to the 2026 season Monday, each earning a third Big 12 weekly honor following Oklahoma State's 42-28 victory over UCF.
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Wesloski was named the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Week, while Keltner shared Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Both players have now received weekly recognition following Oklahoma State's victories over Oregon, West Virginia and UCF.
Their three awards apiece match the most by any Big 12 player this season. But the recognition only tells part of the story.
Through five games, Wesloski has established himself as one of the nation's most productive tacklers, while Keltner has delivered a perfect start to his Oklahoma State career.
Together, they've become essential pieces of a Cowboys team that has won four consecutive games and climbed to No. 18 in the AP Top 25.
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Wesloski Becoming One of College Football's Most Productive Linebackers
Wesloski's impact has been difficult to overlook. The Oklahoma State linebacker recorded a career-high-tying 17 tackles against UCF, matching his performance against West Virginia the previous week.
That makes him the only FBS player this season with multiple games of at least 17 tackles. But what makes his production particularly impressive is where those tackles are happening. Against UCF, 11 of Wesloski's 17 tackles limited the Knights to gains of three yards or fewer. Four of those tackles prevented UCF from reaching the line to gain on third down.
Rather than simply accumulating tackles downfield, Wesloski repeatedly helped Oklahoma State get off the field and limit the Knights' offensive opportunities.
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Through five games, he leads all Power Four players with an average of 10.6 tackles per game. He has also led Oklahoma State in tackles in four of its five contests.
His consistency has been especially valuable for a Cowboys defense that has faced difficult challenges throughout the early season.
Against West Virginia, Wesloski collected 17 tackles, including 11 in the first half, while helping Oklahoma State secure a 41-24 road victory.
One week later, he played another significant role as the Cowboys made crucial halftime adjustments against UCF. After allowing 21 first-half points, Oklahoma State held the Knights to seven points and just 30 rushing yards after halftime.
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The Cowboys' defense also produced the game's defining moment when Evan Jackson returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. While Jackson delivered the highlight, Wesloski's ability to consistently make stops helped set the tone for Oklahoma State's defensive response.
Keltner Has Been Automatic
While Wesloski has been shutting down opposing offenses, Keltner has been delivering points with remarkable consistency.
The Oklahoma State kicker converted both field-goal attempts against UCF, connecting from 40 and 29 yards. That extended his perfect start to the season to 12-for-12 on field goals. He is also 19-for-19 on extra-point attempts.
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That means Keltner has successfully converted all 31 of his placekicking attempts through Oklahoma State's first five games. His 12 consecutive made field goals represent the longest streak to begin an Oklahoma State kicking career and are tied for the seventh-longest streak in program history.
It's also the longest run of consecutive made field goals by a Cowboy since Tanner Brown connected on 16 straight across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Even more impressive, Keltner is the only FBS kicker with more than 10 field-goal attempts this season who remains perfect.
His value has extended beyond simply making routine kicks. Against West Virginia, Keltner connected on all four of his field-goal attempts, including a 47-yarder, and finished with 15 points in Oklahoma State's 41-24 victory. Against UCF, his two field goals helped the Cowboys build a 27-21 advantage before Jackson's fourth-quarter scoop-and-score provided separation.
For an Oklahoma State offense capable of generating explosive plays, Keltner has provided something equally important: reliability when drives stall. In close games, that consistency can be the difference between leaving points on the field and maintaining control.
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Two Players Helping Fuel Oklahoma State's Resurgence
The individual awards also reflect Oklahoma State's broader success under first-year head coach Eric Morris. The Cowboys have now collected 11 Big 12 weekly honors this season, more than any other conference program.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker has twice earned Offensive Player of the Week recognition, while Oklahoma State's offensive line has received two weekly honors and its defensive line has earned one. Wesloski and Keltner account for six of the Cowboys' 11 awards.
Their contributions have helped Oklahoma State recover from its season-opening loss to Tulsa and build a four-game winning streak. The Cowboys are now 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play following consecutive conference victories over West Virginia and UCF.
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Mestemaker and the offense have attracted considerable attention with four consecutive 300-yard passing performances. But Oklahoma State's success hasn't been limited to what happens when the offense has the football.
Wesloski has provided a dependable presence in the middle of the defense, while Keltner has eliminated much of the uncertainty surrounding the kicking game.
One consistently stops opponents from moving the chains. The other consistently puts points on the scoreboard. And through five games, both have demonstrated why their roles are so valuable.
Cowboys Look to Continue Momentum at Houston
Oklahoma State will attempt to extend its winning streak Saturday when it travels to Houston for another Big 12 matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
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As the Cowboys prepare for another conference challenge, Wesloski and Keltner have already established themselves as two of the team's most dependable performers.
Three weekly conference awards apiece in five games would be impressive on their own. But their production tells an even bigger story.
Wesloski is leading the Power Four in tackles per game, and Keltner has yet to miss a kick. For an Oklahoma State team looking to continue its climb in the Big 12 standings, those aren't just impressive statistics. They're the contributions of two genuine difference-makers.
