After starting the game with two straight scoring drives, the Oklahoma State Cowboys looked set for a blowout against the UT Martin Skyhawks of the FCS Thursday night in Stillwater.
However, Oklahoma State lost their starting quarterback and needed a fourth-quarter defensive stop to slow the Skyhawks in a 27-7 win to start the 2025 regular season.
Sesi Vailahi put the game away for Oklahoma State in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard scoring run that culminated a 12-play, 58-yard drive for the Cowboys, Oklahoma State’s second rushing touchdown of the night.
TCU transfer quarterback Hauss Hejny began the game for Oklahoma State, and on his second throw, Hauss hit Terrill Davis on a 34-yard pass. Hejny ended the drive with his legs to run the ball six yards for the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the season. On the second drive, Hejny threw his first collegiate touchdown to Gavin Freeman on a 10-yard play action pass.
Hejny ended the day after suffering a lower body injury on a hit with 1:56 remaining in the first quarter. He ended the night with 96 passing yards and 27 rushing yards.
Oklahoma State struggled after their first two touchdowns, following them with three-and-outs on three consecutive drives. After two field goals, UT-Martin put together a lengthy drive, but Kale Smith ended the 12-play, 49-yard drive with an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter to stop any potential Skyhawk comeback.
Zane Flores played the rest of the game under center for the Cowboys, gaining 136 yards on 13-of-20 passing. Davis added a second big catch to end the game with 75 yards on two receptions.
In UT Martin’s quarterback battle, Jase Bauer led the Skyhawks in the defeat with 70 yards on 9-of-16 passing and one interception, the lone turnover of the game for either team. John Gentry had team highs in rushing and receiving with 51 and 45 yards, including the Skyhawks’ lone touchdown when Gentry caught a 39-yard pass to cut the deficit to a single possession in the first quarter.
The Cowboys now head west to Oregon, in a marquee matchup against the No. 7 Ducks on Sept. 6 in Eugene.
