Oklahoma State returns to Boone Pickens Stadium after stunning No. 6 Oregon, this time as a 55.5-point favorite over Murray State. Here’s everything to know, including kickoff time, TV crew, betting odds and what to watch as the Cowboys prepare for Big 12 play.
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State has already experienced two dramatically different Saturdays under Eric Morris. Now comes a third test — and this time, the Cowboys are overwhelming favorites.
One week after stunning No. 6 Oregon 39-31 at Boone Pickens Stadium, Oklahoma State hosts FCS opponent Murray State on Saturday night in its final non-conference game before Big 12 play begins.
The Cowboys enter 1-1 after responding to their season-opening 24-10 loss at Tulsa with one of the biggest upsets in recent program history.
Murray State is also coming off its first victory of the season, beating Valparaiso 27-18 after losses to Eastern Illinois and Middle Tennessee.
Here's everything to know before Oklahoma State and Murray State meet for the first time.
Game Information
Matchup: Murray State (1-2) at Oklahoma State (1-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV/Streaming: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Announcers: James Westling (play-by-play), Jeff Woody (analyst)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Radio Crew: Dave Hunziker (play-by-play), John Holcomb (analyst), Deion Imade (sideline)
Spread: Oklahoma State -55.5 Over/Under: 70.5
First-Ever Meeting
Saturday will mark the first football meeting between Oklahoma State and Murray State.
The Cowboys do, however, have a spotless history against teams from the FCS level. OSU is 32-0 against FCS or Division I-AA opponents since Division I split in 1978.
The Cowboys haven't always made those victories comfortable. OSU beat UT Martin 27-7 last season, Central Arkansas 27-13 in 2023 and Missouri State 23-16 in 2021.
But the last time Oklahoma State faced an FCS opponent in Week 3 rather than the season opener, the result looked much different. The Cowboys crushed Arkansas-Pine Bluff 63-7 in 2022.
Murray State will try to accomplish something it hasn't done in more than four decades. The Racers' last victory against an FBS opponent came in 1984, when they defeated Louisville 26-23.
Cowboys Coming Off Massive Oregon Upset
It's difficult to imagine a bigger week-to-week turnaround than Oklahoma State just produced. After losing 24-10 at Tulsa in Morris' debut, OSU returned home and outgained No. 6 Oregon 554-281 in a 39-31 victory.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker completed 26 of 43 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 rushing yards and another score.
Caleb Hawkins rushed 23 times for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Wyatt Young caught five passes for 121 yards and a score.
The performance was especially impressive in the trenches. OSU rushed for 237 yards against Oregon while holding the Ducks to 90. The Cowboys also sacked Oregon quarterback Dante Moore four times while keeping Mestemaker from being sacked.
Defensively, Ethan Wesloski leads Oklahoma State with 16 tackles through two games and is coming off Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The result was OSU's first victory over an AP top-six opponent since beating No. 5 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2022.
Now the question becomes whether Oklahoma State can maintain that standard against an opponent it is expected to overwhelm.
Murray State Finally Breaks Through
Murray State arrives in Stillwater at 1-2 after finally entering the win column last weekend.
The Racers opened with a 28-14 loss to Eastern Illinois before losing 38-14 at FBS opponent Middle Tennessee.
They responded with a 27-18 victory against Valparaiso.
Murray State produced 388 yards of offense in the victory — split perfectly between 194 passing yards and 194 rushing yards.
Running back Tyrell Campbell rushed for 117 yards on only 14 carries. Through three games, Campbell leads Murray State with 224 rushing yards while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.
The Racers have struggled considerably in recent years. Murray State went 1-11 in both 2024 and 2025 under head coach Jody Wright and hasn't finished with a winning record since going 6-5 in 2021.
Last year's lone victory did at least provide some momentum, with Murray State ending its season by beating Indiana State 31-17.
A Different Challenge for Oklahoma State's Defense
Murray State won't bring Oregon's talent to Stillwater, but its offense does present some preparation challenges.
Defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity said this week that the Racers frequently use shifts and motion, putting an emphasis on communication throughout Oklahoma State's defense.
Murray State has also used three quarterbacks this season, giving the Cowboys multiple possibilities to prepare for. Each has appeared in a different game, and Cassity said Oklahoma State will have a plan for all three.
That could provide another useful test for a defense that held Oregon to 281 total yards and only 12 first downs.
Can Oklahoma State Control the Ground Game?
One statistical matchup particularly favors Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are averaging 182 rushing yards per game after running for 237 against Oregon. Murray State, meanwhile, is allowing 180.3 rushing yards per game.
The Racers' pass defense has been stronger, allowing 183.3 yards per game through the air, a mark that ranks among the better FCS defenses.
Murray State also held Valparaiso to only 56 rushing yards last weekend. But Hawkins and Mestemaker now present a significantly different challenge after both surpassed 100 rushing yards against Oregon.
A productive night on the ground could allow Oklahoma State to establish control early and eventually get some of its younger players valuable game experience.
Another Sold-Out Boone Pickens Stadium
The energy generated by the Oregon upset will carry into Saturday. Oklahoma State announced Tuesday that its allotment of single-game tickets for Murray State had sold out following the win over the Ducks.
A crowd of 51,035 watched Morris' Boone Pickens Stadium debut against Oregon before fans stormed the field following the victory.
Saturday also marks Oklahoma State's annual Cowboy Football Reunion, with members of the 1976 Tangerine Bowl team being honored as the team of special recognition.
That group is celebrating the 50th anniversary of a season in which Oklahoma State won a share of the Big Eight championship and defeated BYU in the Tangerine Bowl.
What This Game Means
On paper, this is Oklahoma State's easiest game of the season. The 55.5-point spread reflects that. But Saturday could still reveal something important about Morris' first Oklahoma State team.
Through two weeks, the Cowboys have put two completely different versions of themselves on film. One committed four turnovers and struggled to finish drives in a 14-point loss at Tulsa. The other accumulated 554 yards, controlled the line of scrimmage and beat the No. 6 team in the country.
Morris said this week Oklahoma State is still trying to determine exactly what kind of team it has. Murray State provides an opportunity to begin answering that question.
The Cowboys don't simply want to survive their FCS opponent. They have an opportunity to play clean football, establish control early, stay healthy and potentially get younger players meaningful snaps before the schedule becomes significantly more difficult.
Because after Saturday, the warmup is over. Oklahoma State travels to West Virginia on Sept. 26 to begin Big 12 play.
First, the Cowboys have one final nonconference assignment — and after proving they can play up to one of the best teams in the country, Saturday is their chance to prove they can play to their own standard regardless of the opponent.
