Eric Morris Named Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week After Oklahoma State Upsets Oregon
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Eric Morris didn't have to wait long to earn national recognition at Oklahoma State.
Morris was named the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week on Monday following the Cowboys' 39-31 upset of No. 6 Oregon at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The victory was Morris' first as Oklahoma State's head coach and came in his first home game leading the program.
OSU didn't simply pull off the upset, either. The Cowboys controlled much of the game statistically, piling up 554 yards of total offense while holding Oregon to 281. Oklahoma State finished with 25 first downs compared to 12 for the Ducks and committed just two penalties for 30 yards.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker once again showed why Morris has developed a reputation for working with quarterbacks. The redshirt sophomore accounted for 426 yards of total offense, throwing for 317 yards while adding another 109 on the ground.
The win marked Oklahoma State's first victory over an AP top-six opponent since the Cowboys defeated No. 5 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2021 season.
It also extended Oklahoma State's home-opener winning streak to 31 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the FBS.
According to ESPN, the Cowboys became the first team in FBS history to snap a losing streak of at least 10 games by defeating an AP top-10 opponent.
After beginning his Oklahoma State tenure with a loss at Tulsa, Morris needed only one more game to deliver the type of victory that can change the trajectory of a new era. Now, it has earned him national recognition as well.
The national honor for Morris adds to a growing list of accolades for Oklahoma State following the upset. Oklahoma State claimed five of the Big 12's six weekly awards, with Drew Mestemaker earning Offensive Player of the Week, Ethan Wesloski taking Defensive Player of the Week and Sam Keltner being named Special Teams Player of the Week. The Cowboys also swept the conference's Offensive and Defensive Line of the Week honors.
Mestemaker's recognition extended beyond the conference. The quarterback was named a Manning Award Star of the Week, Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 recipient and Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week after accounting for 426 total yards against Oregon.
The Cowboys were also named the FWAA Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Team of the Week following the historic upset.
OSU hosts Murray State at 6 p.m. CT Saturday before opening Big 12 play at West Virginia on Sept. 26. The game will either be broadcast on FOX or FS1.
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