The season of unprecedented losses and the rise of the shirtless crowd
In short: The 2025 Oklahoma State football season was defined by historic struggles and coaching upheaval. Amidst a record-breaking losing streak, a bizarre stadium protest emerged, transforming a single fan's dare into a nationwide collegiate phenomenon known as 'Tarps Off'.
The 2025 campaign for the Oklahoma State Cowboys was marked by significant instability and historic failure. Entering the season, head coach Mike Gundy was facing intense scrutiny, often described as having one of the hottest seats in the country. The season took a devastating turn in week 2 following a 69–3 blowout loss to Oregon. This period of decline continued with a home loss to Tulsa, a result that marked the program's first defeat against the Golden Hurricane since 1998. This season ultimately became the most unsuccessful in the program's history, surpassing the winless 1991 campaign with a record number of losses in a single season.
The coaching staff underwent a complete transformation as the season progressed. Mike Gundy, who was in his 21st year leading the team, was dismissed on September 23. Following his departure, offensive coordinator Doug Meacham took over the reins as interim head coach for the rest of the year. The search for stability concluded on November 25, when the university officially named North Texas head coach Eric Morris as the new head coach.
While the team struggled on the field, a unique cultural moment unfolded in the stands of Boone Pickens Stadium. During an October 11 game against Houston, a fan named Trent Eaton performed a bare-chested stunt in an empty section after being dared by his sister for $10. The spectacle, which involved twirling a shirt above the head, caught the attention of the TNT broadcast and went viral. This movement, dubbed 'Tarps Off', saw fans filling sections of the stadium with similar displays. The trend proved so infectious that it spread to other college football programs and even transitioned to Major League Baseball and College World Series games in 2026.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team
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