Vitals: Oklahoma State vs. Washington State

Everything you need to know for the Cowboys' season opener against the Cougars.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:55 am

By: News On 6

Vitals: Oklahoma State vs. Washington State

Originally Published: Sep 3, 2010 7:29 PM CDT

Game Preview | Vitals | Recap

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Washington State Cougars (0-0) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-0)
6 p.m. CST
T. Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Returning Statistical Leaders:

	Oklahoma State	Washington State
Passing	Brandon Weeden	Jeff Tuel
	15-24, 248 yards, 4 TDs, INT	71-121, 789 yards, 6 TDs
Rushing	Kendall Hunter	James Montgomery
	89 rushes, 382 yards, TD	37 carries, 167 yards, TD
Receiving	Justin Blackmon	Jared Karstetter
	20 receptions, 260 yards, 2 TDs	38 receptions, 540 yards, 6 TDs

Injury Report:

Washington State: CB Aire Justin (hamstring, probable); OL Sabastian Valenzuela (concussion, probable); LB Louis Bland (knee, out); DT Dan Spitz (suspension, out); S LeAndre Daniels (neck, season); LB Andre Barrington (academics, season).

Oklahoma State: OL Lane Taylor (ankle, probable); LB Kenny Alexander (achilles, out); LB Caleb Lavey (elbow, out); LB Tolu Moala (knee, season).

Where to Find It:

On TV: Fox Sports Network

On Radio: Cowboy Radio Network

What You Need to Know?.

The Washington State Cougars have struggled in the past two seasons, winning just three games in head coach Paul Wulff’s first two seasons as a head coach – including just one win in 2009. However, the Cougars do lead the all-time series with the Cowboys 2-1, the two wins coming in 1951 and 1952.

The biggest storyline this offseason has been the hire of new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and the installation of his new offense at Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have been working to replace quarterback Zac Robinson in the backfield and find the proper depth at wide receiver to efficiently run the high-powered offense. With Holgorsen calling the plays, head coach Mike Gundy will have a bigger role in the overall orchestration of the game plan.

Who You Need to Watch?

Outside linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis will lead the Washington State defense, after leading the team in tackles in 2009 with 84 in just his sophomore season. After splitting time with Marshall Lobbestael in 2009, sophomore quarterback Jeff Tuel is listed No. 1 on the depth chart. Tuel completed 58.7 percent of his passes in 2009 for 789 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman.

Stepping into the offense to replace Robinson is 26-year-old junior Brandon Weeden. He’s called upon to orchestrate the wide-open spread offense that the Cowboys have implemented this season. Despite the emphasis on receivers, the coaching staff has to find a way to get former All-American running back Kendall Hunter involved in the game plan. He has the skills and athleticism to make plays with the ball in his hands in the open field. Keep an eye open for the receiving corps – especially junior Josh Cooper and sophomores Justin Blackmon and Tracy Moore.