Tulsa Stuns Oklahoma State in Historic Rivalry Win
The Turnpike Classic between Tulsa and Oklahoma State delivered drama and history on Friday night in Stillwater. For the first time since 1998, the Golden Hurricane walked away with a win over the Cowboys, and even more remarkable—it was their first road victory in Stillwater since 1951. The game ended 19-12, and while the score looks close, the story was one of Tulsa controlling the tempo from start to finish.
This matchup had been billed as a turning point for both programs. Tulsa entered at 1-2 after a tough loss to Navy, while Oklahoma State came in 1-1 and still reeling from a blowout defeat against Oregon. Both fan bases wanted a confidence-building win. Instead, it was Tulsa’s night, and they grabbed it with poise and grit.
Quarterback Baylor Hayes, filling in for the injured Kirk Francis, was asked to manage the offense, and he delivered. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 219 yards and threw a first-quarter touchdown strike to Braylin Presely that gave Tulsa momentum early. Hayes wasn’t flashy, but his ability to extend drives and keep the OSU defense on the field became one of the biggest factors in the game.
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Another storyline was running back Dominic Richardson. Facing his former team, Richardson put on a show in the ground game. He carried the ball 31 times for 146 yards, pounding away at the Cowboys defense and helping Tulsa control possession. His consistency on first and second down allowed Tulsa to build methodical drives that ended in points—even if they were field goals.
Speaking of field goals, kicker Seth Morgan played a starring role. He nailed three of them, including a long 47-yarder before halftime, helping Tulsa build a 16-3 lead by the break. That cushion proved critical when Oklahoma State finally found some rhythm in the second half.
The Cowboys struggled all night to sustain offense. Quarterback Zane Flores, a redshirt freshman, completed 25 of 40 passes for 214 yards, but most of it came in short gains. Oklahoma State’s only touchdown didn’t arrive until the fourth quarter, capping a 65-yard drive. Even then, a failed two-point conversion kept the Cowboys two possessions behind. A late 49-yard field goal by Logan Ward cut the margin to one score, but with less than a minute left, OSU couldn’t find the end zone again.
Tulsa’s defense deserves plenty of credit as well. They forced turnovers, held strong on fourth downs, and never let Oklahoma State’s rushing attack gain momentum. When the Cowboys drove deep into Tulsa territory, the Hurricane defense stood tall, including a crucial stop on fourth-and-one at the 5-yard line.
By the final whistle, it was clear: Tulsa had earned this win. They improved to 2-2, while Oklahoma State dropped to 1-2 and now faces serious questions about their offensive identity. For Tulsa, the victory wasn’t just about the standings—it was about breaking a decades-long drought and proving they can rise to the occasion against their in-state rival.
The Turnpike Classic lived up to its billing, and for the Golden Hurricane, this one will be remembered for a long, long time.
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