When the UT Martin Skyhawks storm into Stillwater to open their 2025 campaign against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Thursday, August 28 (7:30 PM ET), they’ll be walking into one of college football’s most electric Week 1 atmospheres. For the Cowboys, this isn’t just another season opener—it’s the first chance to show whether their high-powered offense can pick up right where it left off, while the Skyhawks arrive hungry to prove they can hang with a Power 5 opponent on the road. The contrast in styles will be fascinating: Oklahoma State’s precision passing and explosive playmakers against UT Martin’s scrappy, underdog mentality.

First games are always about setting the tone, and this one carries extra intrigue. Oklahoma State, coming off a 2024 campaign that saw them flirt with the Top 25, will look to start fast in front of their home crowd, while UT Martin—fresh off a competitive FCS season—has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Can the Skyhawks’ defense fluster the Cowboys early, or will Oklahoma State’s experience and depth wear them down? In a matchup where every snap could reveal a new star or an unexpected twist, Thursday night’s clash promises fireworks from the opening kickoff.