Oklahoma State, with its coaching staff in flux, heads out to face Arizona on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy was fired last week after the team lost two of its first three games, including a blowout defeat at then-No. 6 Oregon and a home loss to in-state rival Tulsa. Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham became the interim head coach.
On Sunday, following a 45-27 home defeat against Baylor, Oklahoma State ousted defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Clint Bowen, an offensive quality-control assistant, was installed as the interim defensive coordinator.
Oklahoma State’s defense ranks last in the Big 12 in average points (35) and yards (473) allowed per game.
The Cowboys (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) have yielded more than 600 yards twice this season — 631 in a 69-3 loss to the Ducks and 612 last week against the Bears.
“I’ve never been a head coach of an elementary school,” said Meacham, who is in his 38th year of coaching and previously served as the offensive coordinator for TCU, Kansas and Houston. “This is a lot of new stuff I’ve never thought about. Everybody thinks being a head coach is easy.
“I’m just so proud of the kids, their willingness to participate and the vibe they’re providing.”
Oklahoma State will try to snap a 12-game losing streak to FBS teams when it plays Arizona.
The Wildcats (3-1, 0-1) are coming off their first loss, a 39-14 setback at No. 14 Iowa State in their first road game of the season.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita will look to bounce back from an up-and-down performance that included two interceptions.
The Wildcats missed a field goal to cap their first possession, and they turned the ball over on downs twice in the second half.
“For me, the biggest thing there was just our lack of execution,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “That part was frustrating and disappointing. (Sunday) was a good day for us to assess everything, get back to work and reset.”
Fifita completed 32 of 48 pass attempts for 253 yards with two touchdowns. On the season, he is 78 of 126 for 965 yards with eight touchdown passes and the two interceptions.
His counterpart at Oklahoma State, redshirt freshman Zane Flores, has yet to throw a touchdown pass. Flores has completed 68 of 120 passes for 649 yards with two interceptions.