September 24, 2026
September 24, 2026
Happy Monday from the Sports Desk. Here’s a quick recap of this week’s action:
• Oregon responded to losing in Stillwater by committing an 84-point act of violence against an FCS school.
• Oklahoma State scored 59.
• Tulsa Golden Hurricane remain undefeated.
• Oregon State finally won.
• Memphis keeps making Arkansas’ coaching decisions look increasingly stupid.
• Dallas remembered it is the Dallas Cowboys.
• Kansas City required overtime because apparently winning easily no longer generates the television ratings required by Mrs. Swift.
• And then … there’s Arkansas.
The Hogs rushed for 17 yards against Georgia — which means Oregon’s mascot completed approximately 32 times more push-ups Friday night than Arkansas gained rushing yards Saturday.
Yes, I checked the math, and yes, it is hard to believe.
Welcome back to The Aaon Group Sports Desk.
Oklahoma State vs Murray State — Cowboys 59, Racers 0
After last week’s emotional Oregon upset, OSU avoided the classic “poke choke” by putting up 662 yards and scoring on nine of its first 10 drives. Whoever’s in charge of Cowboy scheduling really understood their assignment, matching OSU against an FCS opponent. Drew Mestemaker went 20-of-22 for 324 yards and five touchdowns, which is less “quarterback performance” and more “someone forgot to adjust the difficulty setting.” The Cowboys are 2-1, and for one blessed Saturday, the fanbase required absolutely zero emergency assistance from the wrestling program.
Tulsa vs East Texas A&M — Golden Hurricane 42, Lions 0
Tulsa improved to 3-0, got three touchdown passes from Dexter Williams II, a 98-yard kickoff return from Trequan Jones and recorded its first shutout since 2002. We regret to inform Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas that the school with the smallest enrollment and strongest academic résumé is currently the only undefeated team we’re covering in this newsletter. Please direct all complaints to the standings.
Oklahoma vs New Mexico — Sooners 14, Lobos 6
The official record book will remember this as a win, and we have been advised by Legal to respect that designation. OU managed 299 total yards, committed three turnovers, and needed a 53-yard John Mateer-to-Isaiah Sategna touchdown to finally create breathing room. Portions of the Norman crowd responded with boos despite the victory. Sooner fans spent Saturday night experiencing an emotion they know all too well: winning angrily.
Arkansas vs #2 Georgia — Bulldogs 45, Razorbacks 17.
No. 2 Georgia rolled up 464 yards and held Arkansas to 17 rushing yards — yes, seventeen — while handing the Hogs their 12th consecutive SEC loss. Walmart and Tyson may control the world’s most sophisticated supply chains, but apparently neither has yet figured out how to overnight an offensive line to Fayetteville. The Hogs get Tulsa next and I’m not placing any bets.
Oregon vs. Portland State — Ducks 84, Vikings 0
Still emotionally processing last week's loss to Oklahoma State, Oregon did the mature thing Friday night: found the nearest FCS program and beat the absolute crap out of them. And yes, the Sports Desk checked: Portland State is an actual university, not a Eugene-area high school scheduled through an administrative error.
The Ducks led 49-0 at halftime, outgained Portland State 726-103, allowed just two rushing yards, and set a school scoring record. Oregon's mascot reportedly performed 546 push-ups as a result of all the scoring, making him potentially the only participant who faced meaningful adversity Friday night.
Oregon State vs. Montana — Beavers 52, Grizzlies 17
“The Real OSU” finally found the win column, and apparently all it required was importing an opponent from Montana.
Braden Atkinson threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns, ran for another, and tied Oregon State’s single-game record with six total TDs as the Beavers dismantled previously undefeated Montana, 52-17.
There may be one particularly satisfied observer around The Aaon Group. Founder Norm Asbjornson attended Montana State — home of the engineering college that now bears his name — which also happens to be Montana’s bitter in-state rival. So, while Oregon State fans celebrate their first win, we suspect Norm was happy to see the Grizzlies fall hard.
Memphis vs. UT Martin — Tigers 45, Skyhawks 21
Memphis rebounded nicely from last week’s loss to Boise State, piling up more than 500 yards for the third straight game and improving to 3-1.
For our Memphis Team Members: congratulations, genuinely. The Tigers have three wins, Arkansas has one, and suddenly, the whole “Arkansas stole our coach” storyline is becoming considerably less painful on your side of the Mississippi.
The Sports Desk would like to formally request that nobody check back on this statement later in the season.
Dallas vs Washington — Cowboys 37, Commanders 20
Good news for Longview: the Cowboys have located the end zone. Repeatedly.
Dak Prescott went 26-of-31 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, passing Tony Romo to become Dallas’ all-time leader in touchdown passes. CeeDee Lamb contributed the subtle stat line of 153 yards and two TDs, which apparently is what happens when Dallas remembers he is very good at football. The Cowboys are 1-1, and Jerry Jones can return to concentrating on football operations instead of wondering whether Arkansas has any spare eligibility lying around.
Kansas City vs Indianapolis — Chiefs 33, Colts 30 (OT)
The Kansas City Swifts apparently decided a normal victory lacked sufficient drama.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns, Travis Kelce posted nine catches for 101 yards and a score, and the Chiefs survived Indianapolis in overtime after Harrison Butker kicked two OT field goals, including the 40-yard winner as time expired.
Kelce also scored his first touchdown of the season with Taylor Swift in attendance, proving once again that the Chiefs remain the NFL’s only franchise operating simultaneously as a football team, romantic comedy, and global entertainment property.
