STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State Cowboys are gearing up for a significant matchup against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane this Saturday, a game that carries the weight of last season's surprising upset. On September 19, 2022, the Cowboys left Boone Pickens Stadium with their heads down after a 19-12 loss to Tulsa, marking a pivotal moment in the program's recent history.
During that game, the Cowboys were unable to execute a last-minute hook-and-ladder play, which ended their hopes of tying the score. As the final whistle blew, frustration was palpable among the OSU players, particularly for receiver Gavin Freeman, who felt the sting of the defeat. The loss not only snapped Oklahoma State's 10-game winning streak in the Turnpike Classic rivalry but also represented Tulsa's first victory in Stillwater since 1951.
In the aftermath of the game, emotions ran high in the OSU locker room. Defensive end Jaleel Johnson described the atmosphere as a mix of anger and disbelief. "It was a lot of anger and stuff, people trying to be calm and stuff, telling us: ‘We good, we good’ and stuff like that,” Johnson reflected. However, he felt that the team was far from okay, as they did not win another game for the remainder of the season. Just days later, head coach Mike Gundy, who had been at the helm for 18 seasons, was let go.
This year, under new head coach Eric Morris, the Cowboys are eager to turn the page. With a roster that features 91 newcomers, including several players he recruited from North Texas, Oklahoma State is looking to reclaim its winning ways. The upcoming game against Tulsa, scheduled for 2:45 p.m. on ESPNU, represents a chance for redemption against the team that ended the Gundy era.
“Is everybody excited?” Morris asked during a press conference, acknowledging the anticipation surrounding the game. “Obviously it’s been a long time coming. I think nine months.” The irony of facing Tulsa again first is not lost on Johnson, who expressed his eagerness for revenge. “I was pretty upset,” he said. “You know, just having them come to our place, beating us like that, it was bad, but I can’t wait to get our getback this Saturday for sure.”
Oklahoma State boasts an impressive 11-game season-opening win streak, the fourth-longest in FBS history. Many of the newcomers on the roster are unaware of the previous season's struggles, which adds an interesting dynamic to the team's mentality heading into the game.
Morris has also addressed the unique fan culture at OSU, particularly the infamous shirtless cheering section that emerged during the previous season. He expressed a desire to move past that image, stating, “I do kind of want to get rid of the no-shirt thing... We’re going to be winning too many damn games and not be something that somebody can be on TV and make fun of us for something like that.”
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will face a tough challenge next week with preseason No. 2 Oregon coming to Stillwater. Therefore, it is crucial for OSU to demonstrate a strong performance against Tulsa. Morris emphasized the importance of momentum in college football, stating, “I think, obviously, college football is all about momentum and creating energy. So, that’s something that we’re going to have to do a really good job of.”
Adding to the pre-game hype, Tulsa's head coach Tre Lamb had previously made headlines by boldly stating, “We’ll beat their a** again,” during a basketball game. While he has since tempered his remarks, the sentiment has certainly reached the Cowboy locker room. Johnson confirmed, “Oh yeah, we heard it. We ain’t going to say too much, but we definitely took notice of it.”
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