West Virginia to start QB Trickett against OSU

Published Sep. 26, 2013 6:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

West Virginia plans to start its third starting quarterback in four games on Saturday.

Florida State transfer Clint Trickett will earn his first start of the season when West Virginia hosts Oklahoma State, coach Dana Holgorsen said on his Thursday radio show.

Redshirt freshman Ford Childress suffered a torn muscle in his chest against Maryland on Saturday. Childress is expected to return to the quarterback race after this week, but Holgorsen admitted it was a "fluid situation" and Trickett could win the job with a strong performance against the Cowboys.

Childress started the last two games, including the 37-0 loss to the Terrapins. Childress completed just 11-of-22 passes for 62 yards and had one completion to a receiver. He threw two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Holgorsen initially indicated the Mountaineers would stick with Childress, a Houston native.

"He's going to be our guy," Holgorsen said of Childress on Tuesday.

Holgorsen added that he hoped Trickett would give the team a spark after earning enough reps.

Holgorsen wanted the receivers more involved in the offense after Saturday's loss, after which he said the offense was "as inept as we could possibly be."

"It would be nice to get the receivers the ball," Holgorsen said Monday. "That's why they're called receivers, so they can catch the ball every now and then.

Trickett played just six snaps in West Virginia's win against William & Mary in Week 1, but hadn't seen any playing time since. Asked why on Tuesday, Holgorsen responded: "I evaluate him every day in practice—you don't."

Paul Millard started the first two games for West Virginia, but following a loss to Oklahoma, Holgorsen tabbed Childress the Mountaineers' starter.