The Arizona Wildcats will take on the No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys without their leading receiver, as senior Juron Criner did not travel with the team for Thursday’s game.

Arizona Sports’ Mark Asher has learned there was an issue with Criner’s appendix, and it was later reported that the receiver underwent an appendectomy Monday in Tucson.

The Wildcats have to be hoping Criner gets well soon, as Thursday’s game in Stillwater is just the first in what is one of the most brutal stretches of games in the country, as the team has games against Stanford, Oregon, USC and Oregon State on the docket.

Criner, who tallied 151 yards and one touchdown on six catches in the opener against Northern Arizona, was a first-team All Pac-10 selection last year after leading the conference in receptions and receiving yards.

Though losing Criner certainly hurts, Arizona is deep at the WR position. David Roberts, Gino Crump, Richard Morrison and Dan Buckner all had more than one catch in the opener, while Terrance Miller and David Douglas could each make an impact.

All be leaned on to produce in Criner’s absence.

Follow @theAdamGreen