Kickoff is 11 a.m. Saturday

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the Tulsa/Oklahoma State game was pushed back a week and the night game will kick off before noon.

No. 11 OSU hosts Tulsa at 11 a.m. Saturday in a game originally scheduled for September 12. Medical precautions cut short TU’s fall practices and OSU agreed to move the game since the Cowboys had an open date Saturday.

The game will be on ESPN.

This is the only nonconference game for the Cowboys, who will play nine Big 12 games and the Tulsa game in the regular season.

OSU coach Mike Gundy is optimistic.

“We have depth, we have maturity and we have players who have competed in big-time conference games at home, on the road and in bowl games,” Gundy said. “In my opinion that is an important ingredient in having a really good season.”

All American running back Chuba Hubbard decided not to go pro early and will anchor the OSU offense. Last year, Hubbard rushed for 256 yards against TU.

“He’s going to get his carries,” Gundy said. “We will base it on how he feels throughout the game. I would hope he doesn’t have to carry it 30 times a game, but if he does for us to be successful on offense and he feels good, then we will continue to give it to him.”

With a number of departures from last season’s group, West Virginia transfer Josh Sills will be an important piece in bringing experience to the OSU offensive line. Sills has received high praise since arriving in Stillwater for the way he has fit into the team on and off the field. 

“Josh has been a nice addition for us,” Gundy said. “He fits into our culture. He enjoys living in Stillwater. He likes to hunt and do outdoor activities. His attitude, willingness to be a part of the team, compete and not be scared to work are why we are thrilled to have him.”

TU coach Philip Montgomery is ready to get back on the winning track after a pair of disappointing seasons.

“We’re excited about having the opportunity to go to Stillwater and play Oklahoma State,” said Montgomery. “They are an extremely talented team. Basically, they have everybody back offensively and defensively. They are very explosive. They are very well coached.

“I know our guys are excited about it. I think we have a good nucleus of guys around who are ready to play. We are excited about our season and what’s coming up.

“We feel like we’ve got some weapons in some spots. We are trying to continue to develop the depth in things that you have to have especially in the times that you are dealing with right now.”

Tulsa’s two starting returning running backs have the nation’s second highest rushing yard total and touchdowns, behind only No. 1 Clemson. Shamari Brooks has 2,700 career rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. Corey Taylor II has 1,490 yards and 22 touchdowns.

TU quarterback Zach Smith threw for 3,279 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions in 2019.

Nine starters return on TU’s offense. Tulsa returns four starters on defense.

The Cowboys lead the series 41-27-5 and have won the last seven meetings. TU’s last win was in 1998 and that was in Tulsa.