The countdown is officially on for Oklahoma State football. With the Cowboys set to open their 2025 season Thursday at Boone Pickens Stadium against UT Martin, head coach Mike Gundy and several key players met with the media, last week, to preview the matchup and set expectations for what promises to be a pivotal year in Stillwater.
Gundy, now entering his 21st season at the helm, struck an optimistic but measured tone. His message was simple: this is a team still finding its identity, but one that has bought in, competed hard, and is eager to finally face an opponent wearing a different jersey.
“Everything is going great for us,” Gundy said in his opening statement. “Guys are competing and I’m very pleased with coaching. We’ve made great strides coming together as a team. I fully expect them to play really well together, even though they haven’t been together very long.”
That last point may be the biggest storyline entering the opener. By Gundy’s count, as many as 27 Cowboys could see action Thursday night who have never taken a snap for Oklahoma State. It is a reminder of how much roster turnover has taken place in the portal era and how vital early-season games are for establishing chemistry and depth.
“We’ve practiced against each other enough,” Gundy added. “The guys are ready to play a game. I’m excited about watching these guys get out there and play and trying to learn a little bit more about our football team.”
Quarterback Picture Still Developing
Much of the offseason intrigue has centered around the quarterback position, where Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny continue to battle for the starting role. Gundy stopped short of naming a starter but praised both for their attitude and competitive spirit.
“Both of them are competitive. Both of them are learning. Both of them are grinders,” he said. “They’re athletic. Their attitudes have been good, and their ability to relate with their coaches.”
That battle will be under a spotlight against UT Martin, though Gundy made clear the opener is more about establishing a baseline for the team than hitting a perfect rhythm immediately. Mistakes will come, but how the Cowboys rally together will be the true test.
“When they get in a tough situation in the game, when they rally behind each other and play together as a team like we have here for 20 years, we’ll know that they’ve made that stride,” Gundy said.
The Opponent: Respect for UT Martin
On paper, Oklahoma State enters as a heavy favorite, but Gundy was quick to remind everyone that UT Martin has been one of the most consistent FCS programs in the country under longtime head coach Jason Simpson.
“They’re going to be well coached, and they’re going to play good football,” Gundy said. “You don’t stay in one place as long as he has without being successful and knowing what you’re doing.”
He noted that early-season games often come down to fundamentals: “Minimize your penalties, good job with turnovers, and be sound in special teams.”
UT Martin may not have the depth of a Big 12 program, but they have upset-minded talent. For Gundy, the real test is whether his team executes its own vision rather than worrying about the opponent’s pedigree.
New Faces, Same Goals
The theme of fresh faces extended throughout the player media session. Offensive lineman Kasen Carpenter, one of the newcomers, said the anticipation is building.
“I cannot wait,” Carpenter said. “We’re seven days away. We’ve been counting down through fall camp. Now that fall camp is over, we’re more in school mode, but we’re still working for it. We’re ready for next Thursday.”
Carpenter acknowledged that meshing a line together takes time, but he credited the OSU defense for accelerating their progress.
“Our defense is really good this year,” Carpenter added. “They’ve been stressing us, and stressing us more and more has brought us together even better.”
Safety David Kabongo echoed that same theme of growth, pointing to his bond with fellow defensive back Landyn Cleveland and the mindset new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has instilled.
“Coach Grantham has this attack mindset,” Kabongo said. “We have this saying in the defensive room called ‘No Mas,’ which basically means we’re trying to make the opponent quit. We’re going to attack the opponent for every play.”
That aggressive mentality, paired with Kabongo’s added year of experience, has him confident about his own role: “Having that little bit of experience last year helped me see the field more and adjust to the speed. It only helped me elevate my game this spring.”
Running Back Depth on Display
If there’s a position group that could shine immediately, it’s running back. Veteran Sesi Vailahi praised the development of the quarterback duo but lit up when talking about the running back room’s depth.
“I think we really had a good fall camp,” Vailahi said. “We’re all really downhill running backs. We make the first guy miss. We all developed a really good pass protection. We got close with our O-line, getting to know the whole playbook and scheme. We all came together as one.”
He also highlighted the addition of transfer Kalib Hicks, calling him “a dangerous running back” who can both run through contact and protect the passer.
For Vailahi, Thursday’s game comes with an extra personal twist. His cousin, Siona Vailahi, is a running back for UT Martin. The family bragging rights are on the line.
“Competition-wise, we were always like, ‘How much did you rush? How many catches did you have?’” Sesi said with a grin. “It feels good to be on the winning side. I don’t know how it feels to be on the losing side. I just hope I stay on the winning side.”
Building Toward Something Bigger
Defensively, outside linebacker Taje McCoy said the camp grind has set the foundation for what the Cowboys hope is a special season.
“I think pretty much the whole team is bought in,” McCoy said. “They realize what we want and what our goal is, so I’m just looking forward to us putting it all together.”
For McCoy, returning to his home state of Oklahoma makes the moment even more meaningful. “It’s been a blessing. I get to see my mom and family often now. It’s only an hour away from Oklahoma City, so it’s a blessing.”
UT Martin may provide an unpredictable look on offense, but McCoy said the Cowboys are ready for whatever comes: “They’re kind of versatile in their approach to the game. They’re going to try to give you different looks, so I’m just excited to play and get a feel for it during the game.”
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 opener feels different for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are not just starting another season — they are introducing a roster that has been reshaped by transfers, youth, and a renewed sense of buy-in. The opponent may be from the FCS ranks, but the importance of this first game goes far beyond the scoreboard.
For Gundy, it’s about seeing if the pieces fit, if the team responds under pressure, and if the foundation being laid now can withstand the grind of the Big 12 schedule that awaits.
“I’m ready to play right now,” Gundy said, summing up the collective mood. “It’s been really fun the last month because it’s only been football. It hasn’t been any other side stuff, it’s just been pure football, which has been very enjoyable.”
The Cowboys will take the field Thursday with plenty of questions still to answer. But one thing is certain: excitement is back in Stillwater, and this young, new-look team is eager to show what it can be.
Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the Big 12. Follow him for more Oklahoma State and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
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