Oklahoma State makes its first ever trip to Autzen Stadium this Saturday and head coach Mike Gundy knows exactly what awaits.
“Well, same thing as you,” Gundy said. “They’re a good football team. Oregon is playing really well. I think they’re well coached, they’re spending a lot of money, and they’ve put a lot into that organization. You can see they’re a good football team.”
The Cowboys enter the game 1–0 after their opener but Gundy’s focus is on the matchup problems Oregon presents. Chief among them are the Ducks tight ends. “They have two of them, good players,” he said. “This will be a good challenge for our team and they’re going to be essentially going up against players that are what people would think are comparable to the best organizations in the country at this time. So we’re aware of that.”
We were the only TV station in Stillwater today. Here's Mike Gundy with a story on starting at Nebraska in the sleet. Included a "Christmas Story" reference and pulling up his shirt in reference to the old Nebraska jerseys. #OKState pic.twitter.com/f9aL48FxCL
— Scott Pfeil (@scottpfeil) September 1, 2025
Oregon’s defensive versatility also caught Gundy’s attention. “They can play split safeties, they can play middle close, you know, just depends on what attack that they want for the teams they’re playing. But there’s a lot of similarities in the concepts and what they’re doing in the back end.”
Much of the pressure falls on Oklahoma State’s quarterback who will be making his first road start in one of college football’s loudest environments. Gundy emphasized simplicity and confidence. “Our coaches need to put him in a good position giving things that, I guess, what he does best. And he needs to go play and be aggressive, not look over his shoulder. He needs to go out and do what he’s done all of his life, to play quarterback, go out and play hard and have fun and compete.”
As for Autzen’s reputation Gundy downplayed it. “I feel like he’ll be fine in the stadiums that he’ll be competing in this year. I don’t know that that’ll affect him a lot. The maturity of getting experience and going and playing would be more of a factor, in my opinion.”
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.
More NCAA Football News
- Hoosiers start 1-0, but Cignetti leaves win over ODU frustrated
- CBS college football analysts criticize Deion Sanders
- “It was rocking tonight” Norvell praises FSU crowd
- LaNorris Sellers on win “it felt good”
- Shane Beamer says win over Virginia Tech was extra special