Tulsa QB Baylor Hayes out Week 3, expected “to be fully back” vs. Arkansas

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The Tulsa Golden Hurricane are one of college football’s most pleasant surprises through two weeks of the 2026 season.

Tulsa is 2-0 for the first time since 2015 after a statement win over Oklahoma State and a road victory at Sam Houston. Largely helped by Oklahoma State’s subsequent upset over Oregon, the Golden Hurricane are currently receiving 18 votes in the AP Poll — sitting six spots away from its first ranking in six years.

However, not all news in Tulsa is golden. Quarterback Baylor Hayes suffered a knee injury late in the win over Sam Houston on a slide where he was contacted by a defender. Hayes will miss the Golden Hurricane’s Week 3 matchup against East Texas A&M of the FCS.

“Baylor’s gonna be out this week,” Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb said in his Monday press conference. “He’s got a sprained knee. He’s fine. We avoided disaster there, which is good. I expect him to be fully back and ready to go Arkansas week. Out of precautionary reasons, we’re gonna hold him.”

Lamb clarified the quarterback depth chart heading into his Week 3 home matchup.

“Dexter Williams will be our quarterback this week,” Lamb said. “Andrew Alford will be the backup. Kyden Barker will be the No. 3.”

While Hayes remains out, Tulsa can lean on Dexter Williams II’s experience. The seventh-year senior is on his fourth school in four years after previous stops at Indiana (2020-23), Georgia Southern (2024), and Kennesaw State (2025). He started two games at Indiana in 2022 and earned four starts for Conference USA champion Kennesaw State in 2025 — serving as QB1 for the Owls’ opener.

Williams’ availability at Indiana was largely limited by non-contact knee injuries, which caused him to miss the entire 2021 and 2023 seasons. However, he will take over for the injured Hayes against East Texas A&M, tasked with producing the program’s first 3-0 start since 2008.

Williams enters this matchup with 1,219 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 99-of-194 showing as a passer, with 360 yards and five touchdowns as a runner.

Moving down on the depth chart, redshirt freshman Andrew Alford and true freshman Kyden Barker have yet to take collegiate snaps, but could make their debuts if Tulsa can build significant cushion against the 1-2 FCS opponent.

According to Lamb, Hayes is expected to return the following week for the Sept. 26 non-conference finale at Arkansas.

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