Oregon stunned by Oklahoma State by running and throwing of Drew Mestemaker

In a shocking upset, Oklahoma State defeated Oregon 39-31 in the first game of the season, marking one of the most significant defeats for the Ducks in recent years. The Week 2 loss followed Oregon's previous victory over Boise State, which ended 34-27. Despite the surprising result, Oklahoma State is considered a strong candidate for the Group of Six representative in the College Football Playoff. However, losing as a heavily favored team at Oklahoma State has led to increased concerns about the Ducks' performance.

The high-powered Oregon offense struggled from the beginning, with its first five drives resulting in four punts and one turnover on downs. Oregon scored only once, thanks to a pick six. While the Oklahoma State offense also contributed to Oregon's struggles by giving points off interceptions, the Ducks had difficulty stopping the Cowboys. Drew Mestemaker, in particular, had an impressive performance, throwing for 317 yards, running for 109 more with three total touchdowns, and leading the Cowboys to victory.

Oregon's defense also came under scrutiny, giving up 39 points, the most since the team's first season under head coach Dan Lanning in 2022. With a costly fumble late in the game, Oregon missed an opportunity to tie the match. In addition to the disappointing loss, Oregon now faces a challenging schedule, including games against Southern California, Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington.

The team's chances of making a College Football Playoff appearance have been severely impacted, and they must now find a way to win out in order to maintain their hopes.