Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Oklahoma State
Racers to Head West for Showdown vs. Cowboys
9/17/2026 4:24:00 PM | Football
Murray State set to face Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State
Date (Time): Saturday, Sept. 19 (6 p.m. CDT)
Opponent: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Location (Venue): Stillwater, Okla. (Boone Pickens Stadium)
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
The Murray State Racers (1-2) are set to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-1) of the Big 12 on Saturday night in Stillwater, Okla.
The Racers will look for their first FBS win since 1984, when they defeated Louisville 26-23 in a last-second thriller at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville.
The navy & gold picked up their first win of the 2026 season last Saturday at home against the Valparaiso Beacons. In a 27-18 win, Murray State generated 388 yards of total offense with a balanced effort that combined 194 yards through the air and 194 yards on the ground. Three different Racers scored on the ground, with quarterback Baxter Wright, and running backs Mykel Allen, and Jawaun Northington each punching one in, and Allen adding another touchdown through the air.
The Murray State defense allowed 305 total yards, with just 56 of them on the ground. Klayton Ingram led the way with 7 tackles and added a pair of pass breakups. Rett Hemphill was responsible for the Racers' lone sack on the night, and Brooks Esplin had an interception for the team's first takeaway of the 2026 season.
The Murray State offensive effort has featured several standouts through the early portion of the season, including London, Ontario, native Tyrell Campbell, who leads the team with 213 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, and adds 85 receiving yards. Dimitri Howard leads the team and is third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 319 all-purpose yards, with 122 receiving yards, and 177 kick return yards. Trey Firestone leads the team with 10 receptions for 154 yards and joins Jaxon Potter, and Mykel Allen with a receiving touchdown.
The Murray State defense has leaned on its ability to get into the backfield in 2026, as it has 14 tackles for loss and 6 sacks on the season, second-most in the MVFC. Klayton Ingram has led the way for the Racers defensively with 22 tackles on the season, while Jayden Walker and Dylan Rowsey are right behind with 18 each. Walker leads the team with 4 tackles for loss and adds a sack, while freshman James Morrow leads the team with 1.5 sacks on the season. Brooks Esplin's interception against Valparaiso is the only takeaway on the season.
Series History
Saturday marks the first meeting between Murray State and Oklahoma State, and the Racers' first game against a Big 12 opponent since the 2022 season opener when they faced Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, losing 63-10.
Scouting the Cowboys
Oklahoma State is coming off one of the most notable upsets in the early portion of the college football season, knocking off No. 6 Oregon for head coach Eric Morris' first win as the head man in Stillwater. Morris has a 47-35 record in eight years as a head coach, with stops at Incarnate Word and North Texas prior to his time with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys' offense is led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who features 558 yards and 3 passing touchdowns, and adds 125 yards and another score on the ground. Caleb Hawkins is the leading rusher with 189 yards and 1 touchdown; Wyatt Young has been the leading receiver with 205 yards and a touchdown. Ethan Wesloski leads the defense with 16 tackles, and Ladanian Fields has 1 interception.
Up Next
Following this week's Big 12 battle, Murray State opens MVFC play by hosting the Southern Illinois Salukis on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. CDT.
Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics), and Facebook to stay up-to-date on Murray State Athletics. Follow Murray State football on X and Instagram (@Racersfootball).
