Eric Morris-Drew Mestemaker debut at Oklahoma State ruined by upset loss to Tulsa

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Oklahoma State entered a new era on Saturday, as for the first time since 2004, the Cowboys opened the season with a head coach who wasn't Mike Gundy.

Unfortunately, the change in head coach didn't lead to better results as Oklahoma State suffered an embarrassing loss to Tulsa.

OSU poached North Texas' Eric Morris to take over for the long-tenured head coach to try and bring the success he had with the Mean Green to Stillwater.

Morris helped North Texas to an 11-2 record last year, while Oklahoma State finished 1-11. The Cowboys had won a combined four games over the last two seasons, leading to the program moving on from Gundy.

Oklahoma State couldn't get anything going Saturday. The Golden Hurricane got on the board first with a field goal, but OSU was able to tie it up with a field goal of its own in the second quarter. When Tulsa scored a one-yard touchdown right before halftime, the Golden Hurricane took the lead and never gave it back.

Tulsa held on for the 24-10 victory, the second win it has registered over Oklahoma State in as many years. This was the first time since 1951-52 that the Golden Hurricane beat the Cowboys in consecutive years.

When Morris was named the head coach of Oklahoma State, the question became who would be making the jump from North Texas with him.

The most prominent name was quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Last year with North Texas, Mestemaker threw for 4,379 yards with 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions over 14 games.

In Saturday's loss, Mestemaker played well, but couldn't make the right plays at the right time to help extend drives for Oklahoma State. He finished the game 29-of-49 passing for 241 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The quarterback had five carries for 3 yards and lost a fumble.

Mestemaker's yardage was the fifth-fewest he had in a game where he attempted more than three passes.

Morris will have to help his team shake off this loss quickly. The Cowboys return home next weekend, but will host No. 2 Oregon.

The lone bright spot for this result and the new duo at OSU is that the Cowboys don't open up Big 12 conference play until Saturday, Sept. 26, so there is some time for Morris and Mestemaker to get on the same page with their new team.

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