'You're Good, Bro': How Eric Morris Helped Caleb Hawkins Bounce Back From Early Fumble

Oklahoma State's opening possession against UCF couldn't have gone much worse for Caleb Hawkins.

The Cowboys' running back lost a fumble that gave the Knights an early opportunity to seize momentum, eventually resulting in a touchdown.

It was the kind of mistake that could have shaken a young player's confidence, particularly in front of a sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium.

But Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris wasn't interested in letting one mistake define Hawkins' afternoon. And quarterback Drew Mestemaker had a simple message for his teammate.

"You're good, bro."

That was essentially the extent of Mestemaker's conversation with Hawkins following the turnover.

"I was just like, 'You're good bro,' and that's about it because when I throw a pick, I don't want to hear from someone telling me all this stuff," Mestemaker said after Oklahoma State's 42-28 victory. "So I'm not trying to do that to him."

It was a small exchange, but one that illustrated how Oklahoma State's offensive players are learning to respond to adversity under their first-year head coach.

Rather than dwelling on Hawkins' early mistake, Morris focused on getting his running back back into the flow of the offense. Mestemaker credited that approach with helping Hawkins move forward.

"That's what Coach Morris does with guys when they make plays is he gets their confidence back real quick," Mestemaker said, referring to how Morris responds when players make mistakes. "Obviously he was upset, but Caleb doesn't say much in general, so there was not a whole lot being said at that time."

Hawkins' response came through his play. The running back finished with 83 rushing yards on 23 carries, continuing to handle a significant workload despite the early turnover.

"He just goes out there and grinds, and glad we got him back on track," Mestemaker said.

For Oklahoma State, the sequence highlighted the importance of maintaining trust in players even when an early mistake puts the team in a difficult position.

Hawkins remained involved in the offensive game plan, while Mestemaker continued directing an attack that finished with 414 total yards.

The Cowboys eventually overcame their slow start, outscoring UCF 21-7 in the second half to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Mestemaker's reaction to Hawkins' fumble was shaped by his own experience handling turnovers. The Oklahoma State quarterback has faced his share of difficult moments this season, including interceptions and other mistakes that have disrupted offensive possessions.

But against UCF, he delivered his first turnover-free performance of the year. Mestemaker completed 19 of 28 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns, extending his streak of 300-yard passing performances to four consecutive games. He also added a rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.

Following the victory, Mestemaker explained that avoiding unnecessary mistakes had been a major emphasis during the week.

"Focused on my eyes pre-snap to post-snap," Mestemaker said. "Being on time and on target with all my reads. Not making anything up out there."

That emphasis on discipline also helps explain his approach to teammates when mistakes happen.

Rather than offering Hawkins a lengthy explanation or trying to coach him through the moment, Mestemaker gave him a brief reassurance and allowed him to respond on the field.

It was the kind of interaction that can help maintain confidence during a game when emotions are running high.

While Hawkins' recovery illustrated Morris' approach to player confidence, another moment against UCF highlighted the coach's creativity.

Oklahoma State turned to tight end and fullback Morgan McPhaul near the goal line, giving him his first rushing attempt of the season.

The result was a one-yard touchdown. According to Mestemaker, the play wasn't even part of the original game plan entering the week.

"That was a great mid-week addition by Coach Morris," Mestemaker said. "I never even thought of doing that, so whenever Coach Morris added it, I thought this will work 100 percent."

The quarterback admitted UCF defended the play reasonably well, but McPhaul still found a way into the end zone.

"They actually played it pretty well, but Morgan turned into an athlete and got into the end zone," Mestemaker said.

The touchdown provided another example of Morris finding different ways to involve his personnel and keep opposing defenses guessing.

It also demonstrated the confidence players have in the offensive concepts being introduced throughout the week.

Oklahoma State's victory over UCF wasn't without mistakes. The Cowboys fell behind early following Hawkins' fumble, struggled to establish consistent momentum in the first half and entered halftime tied 21-21.

But the offense continued producing, while the defense made significant adjustments after halftime. Safety Evan Jackson delivered the game's defining moment with a 28-yard fumble return touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Mestemaker later connected with Wyatt Young for a five-yard score to extend the lead.

Oklahoma State finished with 42 points and 414 total yards, improving to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play.

For Morris, the victory represented another step in the development of a team learning how to overcome mistakes and win difficult games.

"Our team is growing and now finding ways to win," Morris said after the game. "That wasn't a pretty win, but we're gritty."

That growth isn't limited to halftime adjustments or explosive offensive plays. It's also reflected in the smaller moments, such as a coach maintaining confidence in a running back after a costly fumble or a quarterback knowing when a teammate needs encouragement rather than criticism.

Hawkins' early turnover could have become the defining story of Oklahoma State's afternoon. Instead, he remained a central part of the offense, and the Cowboys found a way to win.

Sometimes, all a teammate needs to hear is three words: "You're good, bro."

Oklahoma State will look to extend its winning streak Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Cowboys travel to Houston for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX.