Football Fans across social media unleashed heavy criticism at ESPN on Saturday after the network cut away from the Oregon-Oklahoma State game. This was done to prioritize the U.S. Open women’s final, leaving viewers scrambling to follow the competitive late finish.
The No. 6 Ducks came up against the Cowboys in a game that had already been delayed roughly 90 minutes due to lightning and thunderstorms in the areas around Boone Pickens Stadium. The game, which was scheduled to start at noon ET, stretched deep into the afternoon.
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As the Week 2 encounter stayed tight into the fourth quarter in Stillwater, ESPN’s schedule window for the U.S. Open women’s singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina arrived. This led the network to shift the football broadcast to ESPN 2 and later ESPNews so it could air the tennis final on its flagship channel.
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With a potential upset ongoing in Stillwater, fans reacted with frustration to the break in transmission of the game. Many expressed disbelief that the perceived lopsided football game, turned into a high-stakes contest, was being moved off the main channel in favor of a tennis game.
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Comments quickly flooded social media platforms, with many fans calling out the network for the decision. The game had garnered attention after Oregon, which entered the matchup as a three-touchdown favorite, was trailing as the final phase of the game unfolded. Eventually, Oklahoma State staged a 39-31 upset.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions online:
Oklahoma State ends 21-game losing streak against Oregon
Oklahoma State delivered one of the most stunning upsets in the early stages of the 2026 college football season by defeating national title contender Oregon 39-31 on Saturday. The win marked the end of the program’s 21-game losing streak against FBS opponents.
The Cowboys entered the Week 2 game as a 23.5-point underdog following a 1-11 finish in 2025 and a Week 1 loss to Tulsa. Nonetheless, they ran riot in the game, outgaining the Ducks 554 yards to 281, showcasing an unexpected level of brilliance on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker led the charge, throwing for 317 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown to put his name in the mouth of everybody in the college football world. The win over Oregon marked the first victory for first-year coach Eric Morris at Oklahoma State, bringing in the needed confidence to navigate the season.
Edited by Farouk Yusuf
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