Oklahoma State football QB Drew Mestemaker shows chemistry, trust built with new WRs – The Oklahoman

STILLWATER — The 98-yard touchdown pass from Drew Mestemaker to Chris Barnes in Oklahoma State’s spring game on Saturday will be the fuel that feeds Cowboy fans’ excitement into August.
But the inner workings of the perfectly executed play were reason for even more enthusiasm, because it reveals the trust and understanding that has already begun to build within the offense.
From the quarterback’s spot in the shotgun formation, Mestemaker read the defense and knew what Barnes was going to do.
Aligned as the outside receiver on the right side of the formation, Barnes read the defense exactly the same way and knew what he was supposed to do — then he did the exact opposite.
More: Inside new Oklahoma State football coach Eric Morris’ Cowboys spring game debut
“I thought he was gonna shut it down at 5 yards and we were gonna take 7 yards and run out of bounds,” Mestemaker said with a smile. “And then he just kept going and ran past everyone. That’s what happens when you’ve got a guy like him that can take the top off the defense.”
Basically, if the cornerback is backing off from the snap rather than pushing up on Barnes, he’s supposed to stop the route for the easy throw-and-catch underneath the coverage.
“I felt like with my speed, I got on him kind of quick,” Barnes said. “He was bailing, but I was like, ‘No, I’m just gonna keep running.’ I just trusted Drew with the ball and he threw it. 
“For other guys in that moment, they probably would’ve stopped. But I trusted my speed and Drew’s arm.”
Mestemaker is a humble player with an unassuming personality, but he’s serious about football, and moments like the 98-yard TD are an example of the work he’s put in since arriving in January.
More: A full-circle Oklahoma State football journey has Skyler Cassity wearing orange again
“I’m happy with where we are, but I think we know we gotta clean some stuff up,” Mestemaker said. “We got big goals for this year. We’re obviously not where we need to be or want to be, but I think we’re still playing really good football.
“Having guys transfer in, and the coaches we have bringing them up to speed really quickly, at that point, it’s just learning what they like and how I see things — communicating that to them. It’s gone pretty quickly, I think, adjusting to new guys I’m throwing to.”
Football is football, but so far, the fan support in Stillwater has trumped what Mestemaker experienced at North Texas.
“It’s definitely been crazy,” he said. “But it’s the life you dream of as a kid, and it’s what you work for every day. The support, everywhere you go. I’ll go into Walmart to get dinner for the day, and you’ve got people saying, ‘Good luck this year,’ or whatever. And it’s just awesome to feel that support everywhere you go. 
“It’s kinda weird getting recognized. I feel like I’m just a normal guy that plays football. So, it’s a little weird, but I don’t feel any type of way about it.”
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

source