Oklahoma State Opens Big 12 Play Saturday Night at West Virginia

Coach Eric Morris says managing road distractions will be key as the Cowboys make their first out-of-state trip and conference opener in Morgantown.

Oklahoma State heads to Morgantown on Saturday for its Big 12 opener against West Virginia, kicking off at 6 p.m. It will be the Cowboys' first out-of-state game and first flight together this season after a trip to Tulsa and two home contests. Coach Eric Morris said Tuesday that handling the travel logistics and other distractions will be an important test for his team.

The Cowboys are 5-2 all-time in games at Morgantown and have not lost there since 2013. That same season, Morris was offensive coordinator at Texas Tech when the Red Raiders won 37-27 at West Virginia, a game he said he plans to rewatch later in the week.

Receiver Chris Barnes is expected back after sitting out last week's 59-0 win over Murray State with a shoulder injury. Barnes has seven catches for 87 yards through two games, and Morris said he adds explosiveness to the offense. Offensive linemen Joseph Hanson and Braydon Nelson and tight end Oscar Hammonds are practicing as well.

At running back, no clear backup to Caleb Hawkins has emerged behind the sophomore. Morris indicated all four reserves — Ayo Adeyi, Tre Page III, KD Jones and William Mason — should see action this season, praising Adeyi's experience and Mason's special teams contributions.