Oklahoma State football: Depth wasn't evident in loss to Arizona

And yet Christian Littlehead, a 300-pound part-time starter last season, didn't play in the Cowboys' 59-38 loss to Arizona on Saturday night.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken half-joked during fall camp that OSU might play all five of its true freshman wide receivers, because it would need all of them to help replace the production of Justin Blackmon, Josh Cooper, Hubert Anyiam and Michael Harrison.

And yet Austin Hays, C.J. Curry and Brandon Sheperd did not see the field against the Wildcats, and Blake Webb only made one late catch when the game was already decided.

Even players like wide receiver Charlie Moore and linebacker Ryan Simmons, who are regarded as “co-starters” at their respective positions, saw so little action in Tucson that they did not record any stats.

Heading into the 2012 season, Cowboy coaches said a significant talent bump at several positions — stemming from experience, increased speed and athleticism and what Gundy called the best recruiting class during his tenure — would allow OSU to use a deeper rotation that would keep the starters fresh. But when that could have been especially beneficial, especially on defense, against Arizona, the Cowboys instead tightened up their circle of available players.

“They started scoring and they got ahead and then it was us chasing them,” said offensive lineman Jonathan Rush, who added he was on the field for more than 90 plays Saturday night. “So I guess you kind of want to stick with the 1s (starters).”

An Arizona defense that was apparently thin had more players record a tackle (20) than OSU's did (17). Additionally, seven Wildcats had two or more catches, compared to five for the Cowboys.

There were several reasons behind the reduced rotation.

The first was a steadily growing list of injuries early in the season.

Inside receivers Torrance Carr and David Glidden did not play, which led to Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson combining for 15 catches and 203 receiving yards. Defensive ends Tyler Johnson and Jimmy Bean were also held out, and Davidell Collins was limited, meaning Cooper Bassett had to learn the “Leo” — a hybrid position between defensive end and linebacker — in one week. Additionally, cornerback Devin Hedgepeth still isn't 100 percent after tearing his Achilles twice in the past year, and backup outside linebacker Lyndell Johnson hurt his ankle or foot in pregame warm-ups.