AP Player of the Week: Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker beat Oregon with his arm and legs

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AP Player of the Week: Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker beat Oregon with his arm and legs

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Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker earned Associated Press national player of the week honors after leading the Cowboys to a stunning 39-31 victory over No. 6 Oregon. Entering the matchup as 24.5-point underdogs, Oklahoma State snapped a 21-game losing streak against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. Mestemaker set the tone on the game's opening play with a 75-yard rushing touchdown. The North Texas transfer finished the contest completing 26 of 43 pass attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 rushing yards and another score on six carries. His performance marked the first time an Oklahoma State quarterback surpassed 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game since 2022. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith finished as the weekly runner-up after recording 164 receiving yards and a touchdown in a narrow 24-23 loss to Texas, moving him within striking distance of the school's all-time receiving yardage record.

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Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker earned Associated Press national player of the week honors after leading the Cowboys to a stunning 39-31 victory over No. 6 Oregon. Entering the matchup as 24.5-point underdogs, Oklahoma State snapped a 21-game losing streak against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. Mestemaker set the tone on the game's opening play with a 75-yard rushing touchdown. The North Texas transfer finished the contest completing 26 of 43 pass attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 rushing yards and another score on six carries. His performance marked the first time an Oklahoma State quarterback surpassed 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game since 2022. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith finished as the weekly runner-up after recording 164 receiving yards and a touchdown in a narrow 24-23 loss to Texas, moving him within striking distance of the school's all-time receiving yardage record.

Published 2026-09-14 16:33:53 UTC · Published by JQJO

Prepared by Ayesha A. · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On Sept 12 2022 Spencer Sanders achieved a 300-yard passing and rushing feat.
On Sept 12 2026 Oklahoma State defeated Oregon 39-31 in a major upset.
On Sept 12 2026 Drew Mestemaker rushed for 109 yards and passed for 317.
On Sept 12 2026 Ohio State lost 24-23 to Texas despite Smith performance.
On Sept 14 2026 Associated Press named Drew Mestemaker national player of the week.
On Sept 14 2026 Associated Press selected Jeremiah Smith as weekly award runner-up.
On Sept 19 2026 Oklahoma State prepares for upcoming regular-season competition matchups ahead.
On Sept 19 2026 Ohio State faces Kent State with a passing record milestone.
On Sept 26 2026 College football conference schedules advance into crucial early-season bracket positioning.
On Oct 03 2026 National ranking structures adjust following major early-season upsets and outcomes.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: College football rankings shift significantly following major opening-week upsets nationwide. Possible long-term US impact: Expanded playoff contention pictures shift dramatically for underdog programs. Most affected groups: College football fans, athletic programs, sports analysts, and student-athletes. Reader priority: Track official league standings, player health updates, and weekly ranking adjustments.

Coverage notes

Left: Highlighted athlete background narratives and major historic program streak turnarounds. Center: Focused strictly on official game statistics, scores, and award announcements. Right: Emphasized traditional powerhouse program collapse and underdog athletic achievement metrics.