Tulsa's head football coach, Tre Lamb, has expressed considerable admiration for Oklahoma State's incoming quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, ahead of their highly anticipated Saturday matchup. Lamb's assessment of Mestemaker's abilities was notably effusive, drawing direct comparisons to two of the National Football League's most distinguished signal-callers, Philip Rivers and Brett Favre. This high praise underscores the significant challenge Lamb expects his defense to face against a player he believes possesses an extraordinary arm talent, setting a compelling narrative for Mestemaker's debut with the Cowboys.
During a press briefing on Monday, Coach Lamb articulated his conviction regarding Mestemaker's unique skill set, describing him as a blend of Rivers' precision and Favre's audacious playmaking. Lamb highlighted Mestemaker's rapid release and his remarkable capacity to deliver accurate throws from various unconventional body positions, even when off-balance or on the move. He noted Mestemaker's aggressive approach, favoring deep and challenging passes into tight windows over safer check-downs, a characteristic that, while potentially creating defensive opportunities, also often results in undefendable plays due to sheer arm strength. This aggressiveness, combined with a demonstrated toughness to stand firm in the pocket and absorb hits, as well as a willingness to run, forms a formidable profile for the young quarterback.
Mestemaker's journey to Oklahoma State is particularly noteworthy. After a stellar 2025 season at North Texas, where he emerged as a breakout star, throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns against nine interceptions, he followed offensive coordinator Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. Despite his impressive statistics, Mestemaker's experience as a starter remains relatively limited, with only 14 career starts and no prior starts at the demanding Power Four conference level. This lack of extensive experience, ironically, makes Lamb grateful to face him early in the season, believing Mestemaker's game will only continue to refine and improve with more playing time. The upcoming game against Tulsa will mark Mestemaker's first official opportunity to showcase his lauded talents as a Cowboy.
Lamb's apprehension extends beyond Mestemaker, as he has labeled Oklahoma State as the most formidable opponent on the Golden Hurricane's 2026 schedule. This represents a significant shift from the previous season, where Tulsa achieved a notable 19-12 victory over OSU in Stillwater, a win that ended a 51-year drought against the Cowboys and coincided with the conclusion of the Mike Gundy era. Since then, Coach Morris has meticulously reshaped nearly the entire Oklahoma State roster, integrating 81 new players, many of whom were key contributors from his successful 12-win North Texas team. The transformation of the team, coupled with the arrival of a quarterback drawing comparisons to NFL greats, sets the stage for a compelling season opener, with kickoff scheduled for 2:45 P.M. CT on ESPNU.
The anticipation surrounding Drew Mestemaker's inaugural game for the Cowboys is palpable, largely fueled by the high regard of an opposing coach. Before even taking a snap, Mestemaker has been positioned in the league as a player with the arm talent of two celebrated NFL quarterbacks, further solidified by Lamb's earlier remarks describing him as "already a pro." Saturday's contest offers Mestemaker his initial chance to demonstrate the validity of such lofty comparisons and prove his readiness for the collegiate spotlight, adding an extra layer of intrigue to what is already expected to be a challenging season opener for both teams.
