Oklahoma State football offering heat relief for fans vs Oregon

STILLWATER — The sweltering temperatures prove too much for Oklahoma State and Oregon coaches to ignore. The Weather Channel predicts Stillwater will warm up to a high of 93 degrees on Saturday, with a possibility of sporadic afternoon thunderstorms. OSU takes on No. 6 Oregon at Boone Pickens Stadium, kicking off at 11 a.m. The Ducks are arriving from a more temperate Pacific Northwest environment.

In Eugene, Saturday's temperature is forecasted to be a cool 62 degrees. "It's just a bit different," Oregon head coach Dan Lanning remarked. "We're playing this game at 9 a.m. our time. I think the heat will be something we have to adapt to quickly. It hasn't been hot here yet, and it's going to be really warm on the turf there.

Traveling, staying hydrated, and maintaining freshness by the time we get there are all important factors, and we need to manage them well."

In OSU's 24-10 defeat at Tulsa last week, the field temperature inside H.A. Chapman Stadium rose to 161 degrees at kickoff. Coach Eric Morris didn't think the Cowboys were in top shape to play in such heat, as he observed the team's body language on the sideline in the fourth quarter and fans vomiting. Boone Pickens Stadium is fully booked for Saturday's match.

OSU Athletics has announced that fans have free access to shaded cool zones in the west end zone on the concourse level. Complimentary hydration stations will be available on the north, south, and west sides of the stadium, both on the concourse level and the upper concourse level. Here's a map showing the locations of cool zones and hydration stations inside Boone Pickens Stadium.

More details can be found here: Oklahoma State football players' response to Tulsa loss has been mixed ahead of Oregon.