STILLWATER — Oklahoma State's goal-line handoff play to tight end Morgan McPhaul was coach Eric Morris’ mid-week addition to the playbook.
McPhaul, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound senior from Virginia Military Institute, scored a 1-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter of OSU’s 42-28 win against UCF.
The play was unconventional enough for OSU associate head coach Drew Svoboda to walk into Morris’ office and question it.
“He said, ‘Coach, are you really handing the ball to Morgan?’” Morris said. “I said, ‘Heck yeah man. He’s 250 pounds. He’s a great athlete. He’s going to bull his way in there.’ So that was exciting to see him get in the end zone.”
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Quarterback Drew Mestemaker said he never would have thought of handing the ball to McPhaul, but it made sense to do it.
“I was like, 'This will work 100%' and they honestly played it pretty well and Morgan just turned into an athlete and got into the end zone,” Mestemaker said.
McPhaul scored two touchdowns in his four-year career at Virginia Military Institute. He transferred to OSU for his super senior season and has carved out a role as a versatile tight end who does the dirty work. He’s caught two passes this season.
McPhaul played eight-man high school football and said he’s better at taking handoffs than catching the ball. His old ball-carrying instincts helped him score.
“I knew I was getting the ball,” McPhaul said. “It was really supposed to hit outside but the way they lined up on defense it wasn’t really looking that way so I just had to cut it up inside.”
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OSU football stock report
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Senior Defensive end Malik Charles: He made an impact on offense. Charles appeared as a blocker on the same sequence when McPhaul scored his touchdown. Charles, 6-foot-3, 284-pounds, lined up on the left side of the line as a tight end. That’s a familiar spot for him. Charles started his college career at Western New Mexico as a tight end. Morris said the bye week gave OSU a chance to teach Charles the team’s offensive calls and how to huddle.
“Yeah, I think just trying to utilize how big, strong, and athletic Malik is," Morris said.
Linebacker Ethan Wesloski: He led the Cowboys with 17 tackles against UCF. He has now made 17 tackles in back-to-back games. Wesloski is tied for No. 15 in the country with 53 tackles this season.
Kicker Sam Keltner: He remains perfect this season. He made field goals from 40 yards and 29 yards vs UCF. The sophomore SMU transfer is 12 for 12 on field goals and 19 for 19 on extra points this season. Of the 12 kickers who haven’t missed a kick this season, Keltner has made the most field goals.
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The tight end role in OSU's passing offense: Even with Oscar Hammond healthy, the Cowboys have not utilized tight ends as pass catchers. No Cowboy tight end caught a pass vs the Knights. OSU tight ends have combined for seven catches for 42 yards this season.
Oklahoma State football transfer portal report
WR Talyn Shettron, Louisiana Tech: Shettron caught eight passes for 102 yards. That is his first 100-yard receiving game since 2024.
RB Rodney Fields, Kansas State: Rushed 14 times for 46 yards and added two catches for 36 yards against Houston.
TE Josh Ford, Alabama: One week after breaking his left arm, Ford suited up and played with a cast against Georgia.
OSU vs Houston
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas (FOX)
Ben Hutchens covers OSU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ben? He can be reached at bhutchens@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ben_hutchens_. Sign up for OSU Sports Minute newsletter to access more coverage of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Support Ben's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football stock report: How Cowboys TE Morgan McPhaul scored a rushing TD