Oklahoma State defeated No. 6 Oregon 39-31 on Saturday, September 12, 2026, ending a 12-game losing streak and a 21-game losing streak against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents. The win at home marked the first major upset of the 2026 college football season.
The victory followed a period of difficulty for the Oklahoma State program, which had not defeated an FBS team since a win over Tulsa on September 14, 2024. In the 2025 season, Oregon had defeated the Cowboys by a score of 69-3, the largest margin of victory for the Ducks against a Power 4 opponent.
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a transfer from North Texas, completed 26 of 43 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys outgained the Ducks 554 yards to 281 yards and held Oregon quarterback Dante Moore to 191 passing yards and two touchdowns. The result marked the first win for Eric Morris as the head coach of Oklahoma State.
For the Oklahoma State community and its alumni, the victory ends nearly two years without a win against a top-tier opponent. The scale of the statistical shift is notable, as Oklahoma State became the first FBS team to break a losing streak of 10 or more games by defeating a team ranked in the top 10. The 39-31 final score translates to an eight-point margin that defied preseason and pre-game expectations following the team's 66-point loss to the same opponent the previous year.
The game is expected to influence the upcoming AP Top 25 Poll, which will be released following the conclusion of Week 2 play. While Oregon was ranked No. 6 heading into the matchup, the loss to an unranked opponent typically leads to a drop in national rankings, which can impact a team's eligibility for the College Football Playoff later in the season. Oklahoma State will look to build on this performance as they continue their regular-season schedule.