Oklahoma State’s receiver room is becoming a pick-your-poison problem. With Justin Bowick, Wyatt Young and Miles Coleman producing, Chris Barnes returning and more depth emerging, Eric Morris believes the Cowboys have multiple weapons ready to capitalize when defenses focus elsewhere.
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Bowick's breakout performance against Murray State didn't happen by accident. While the Racers devoted additional attention toward other weapons in the Cowboys' offense, Bowick repeatedly found open space and finished with nine catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns — all before halftime.
It was the latest example of a problem opposing defenses are beginning to face against Eric Morris' offense. Take one Oklahoma State receiver away, and there are plenty of others waiting for their opportunity.
“When people start taking him away, that's just how the offense works,” Morris said. “One week you might have one or two targets and the next 10.”
Cowboys Comfortable Going Five Deep
Oklahoma State's receiving depth should get even stronger entering Saturday's Big 12 opener at West Virginia. Morris said the Cowboys expect to get Chris Barnes back this week, adding another explosive option to a group that has continued to develop through the first three games.
“We're excited to get Chris Barnes back this week to add some explosiveness out there,” Morris said. “With that being said, Terrance Lewis has done a great job stepping in for us. There is five guys we feel comfortable in making a rotation.”
Lewis caught a 31-yard touchdown in Saturday's 59-0 win over Murray State, while Kam Powell also took advantage of extended playing time.
“Kam Powell is a guy who stepped up,” Morris said. “Played fast and did some nice things, so he earned more of a role.”
That's all before getting to the three receivers who have already emerged as some of Drew Mestemaker's most dangerous options. Wyatt Young had five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in OSU's upset of Oregon. Miles Coleman scored his first touchdown as a Cowboy against Murray State and has also become a dangerous option in the return game. Then there's Bowick, who has accumulated 259 receiving yards over the past two games.
‘You Can’t Just Lean on a Guy Like Bowick’
Oklahoma State's defensive backs experience the difficulty of covering the group every day. Free safety Mose Phillips III believes practicing against that collection of receivers forces OSU's secondary to remain technically sound.
“They're all future pros,” Phillips said. “They'll embarrass you if not, and we keep an eye on them.”
Phillips said the number of threats prevents defenders from focusing too heavily on any one receiver.
“You can't just lean on a guy like Bowick because you have Wyatt and Miles too,” Phillips said. “Have to win your one-on-ones, but also makes it super competitive. You can't take the rep light.”
Defensive tackle Enai White doesn't have to cover the group, but he gets a pretty good view from the line of scrimmage.
“They're nasty,” White said. “A lot of speedsters, and I get to see it more on Saturday than in practice.”
White had particularly high praise for Coleman.
“He's a speedster and playmaker,” White said. “It's so crazy because he's so small, but he's a dog though. That's what I love about him.”
Bowick’s Preparation Setting the Standard
Coleman has also found a veteran example in Bowick.
“Crazy speed and consistent in everything,” Coleman said of Bowick. “Works hard in practice and has great hands. Learning from him as a veteran guy has helped me a lot. Follow his routine to stay consistent.”
That routine has caught Morris' attention, too. Morris recalled bringing his children to Oklahoma State's indoor facility on Thursday nights during the summer to throw the football. Bowick would often already be there working on the JUGS machine.
“He practices at one speed and it's translating to the games right now,” Morris said. “He would be the one to be up here on a Thursday night in the summer when I bring my kids to the indoor to throw the football in there and Bowick is there catching JUGS.”
Morris said Bowick's preparation extends beyond the practice field, pointing to the receiver's consistent work in the training room even when he isn't injured.
“Someone who has put in the time and effort,” Morris said. “He's always preparing. Doing things the right way.”
Now that preparation is translating into production. And as Oklahoma State enters Big 12 play, the challenge for opposing defenses is becoming increasingly clear.
Focus too much attention on Bowick, and Young, Coleman or another Cowboy could get the opportunities instead. That's exactly how Morris wants his offense to work.
