A Revamped Offense in Stillwater
The matchup scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, pits the Wildcats against a Cowboys squad that has undergone a dramatic transformation since the offseason.
Head coach Eric Morris, who guided North Texas to an 11‑2 record last year, brings a high‑powered offense to Stillwater, hoping to erase the memory of a 1‑11 season that plagued the program just two years ago.
Central to that revival are quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins, both of whom posted career‑year numbers at North Texas. Mestemaker threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns as a freshman, while Hawkins rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 scores.
Wide receiver Wyatt Young, who amassed 70 catches for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns, joins the duo, giving the Cowboys a potent trio that could stretch defenses across the conference.
Defensively, the Cowboys will benefit from the addition of linebacker Ethan Wesloski, who contributed 113 tackles at North Texas, while secondary player Ladanian Fields, who recorded a pick‑6 last season, could contend for All‑Big 12 honors.
The shift in offensive firepower is expected to relieve pressure on a defense that lost key pieces, including Wendall Gregory, who transferred to Kansas State and earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.
Kansas State, under head coach Mike Gundy, has won the last two meetings, including a 14‑6 victory in Stillwater last year, and will look to extend that streak as the Wildcats aim to solidify their standing in the Big 12 race.