Running back Justice Hill ready to catch passes,

There’s been a lot of buzz about Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill spending time working with receivers in camp, which could open the door for another of the Cowboys’ talented running backs to get on the field at the same time as Hill.

Whether he’s lined up as a slot receiver or running back, Hill knows catching passes needs to be a significant part of his game.

“I just want to be able to help the team out whatever way I can,” he said of lining up as a receiver. “If they think I can do it and I feel like I can do it, then we will try it out there.

“This is something new for me and it will be fun just to see how it goes. It just takes time, the more reps you get at it the more comfortable you feel.”

No nerves for Gundy, Cornelius as QB readies for first start

Offered a list of common fears, Taylor Cornelius nonchalantly answered which afflict him.

“Not the dark,” he said with a light chuckle, “but I’m not that big of a fan of spiders, honestly.”

It seems that starting a college football game for the first time, as he’ll do for Oklahoma State in Thursday’s season opener against Missouri State, is more like the dark than spiders for the redshirt senior quarterback.

“I’m not nervous,” Cornelius said. “I’m sure right before kickoff, I’ll have a few butterflies, but once it gets going, I’m sure I’ll be good.”

Cornelius has gotten spot appearances in blowouts over the past three seasons as Mason Rudolph’s backup. Now, as Rudolph’s replacement, he expects to follow the same pregame routine he has since he’s been a Cowboy. He’ll play catch, though he’ll need a new partner with Rudolph now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’ll listen to whatever music is playing in the locker room; it’s “not my way” to listen to his own music through headphones.

That routine is a part of the experience in OSU’s system that ingrained Cornelius as coach Mike Gundy’s choice to be the Cowboys’ starter. Gundy believes in his talent, too.

“He can throw ’em all,” Gundy said. “I’m not nervous about him at all. I’m really not. I’ve been wrong before a lot of times in my life, but I’m not concerned one bit with him.”

Three Okies on Missouri State depth chart

Missouri State has had a good bit of success recruiting Oklahoma in recent years, and the Bears’ first depth chart of the season revealed three players from Oklahoma high schools in backup roles.

Darius Joseph, a junior defensive back from Southmoore, had 54 tackles and one of the team’s five interceptions last season. He’s listed as a backup cornerback, as is Sand Springs product Tre Betts, a senior.

On offense, Damoriea Vick, a true freshman from Westmoore, is listed as the backup to Missouri State’s top receiving target, Lorenzo Thomas. Also on the roster are freshman Daylon Figures from Tulsa Union, freshman

Rusty Rudd of Fort Gibson and sophomore Walter Watson from Del City.

Lastly, Millwood product Greg McCalister II is a sophomore after transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

His first game with the Bears will give him a chance to match up against his father’s alma mater, and the current team of his cousin, OSU cornerback

Tanner McCalister, from Heath, Texas.