STILLWELL — After an injury plagued 2009 campaign, running back Kendall Hunter finished with 382 yards on the season.

After one half of the season opener against Washington State, Hunter had more than half of that total.

Hunter finished the night with 257 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries and only played in one series after halftime as the Cowboys beat the Cougars 65-17 to start the 2010 season.

The 257 yards and four scores were both career highs for Hunter who now moves to No. 7 on OSU’s career rushing touchdown list with 25 touchdowns.

Coach Mike Gundy said it was evident how hungry Hunter was to get back out on the field.

“I was pleased with Kendall,” Gundy said. “You don’t have to be in this business very long to see that he is excited about playing football.”

Hunter averaged 12.2 yards per carry and had runs of 20, 39 and 66 yards.

Hunter, who was an All-American in 2008 when rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a sophomore, said it feel great to get back out in open space after being so frustrated during his junior year with an ankle injury.

“I was just happy to get back out there,” Hunter said. “You never know what you are missing when you are hurt. I just have to thank my O-line for everything I was able to do today.”

Junior quarterback Brandon Weeden, who was 22-of-30 for 218 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, said he may have been the most excited to see Hunter back in action on the field.

“The kid is special and he doesn’t get much credit which probably helped him more tonight,” Weeden said. “I got caught a couple of times watching him run when I was supposed to be looking at coach (Dana) Holgorsen but like I have been saying all along I am glad that he is on my side.”

There was some speculation by fans before the season about how much Hunter would be utilized in new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s spread attack.

But with 24 total touches on the night for Hunter, Holgorsen said he was fed the ball like he expected.

“If it works, keep doing it and when he averages like 11 yards a carry you better give it to him,” he said. “He has been waiting for this day for quite a while and when you give it to a guy like that and good things happen then you better keep giving it to him.”

Even though Hunter was the only returning All-American running back in the Big 12, most preseason polls didn’t have him listed anywhere.

Gundy said he was surprised about Hunter not being listed anywhere, but he said he feels if Hunter stays healthy then people might change their minds.

“Most publications are going to talk about a guy that had a good year prior and are coming back,” Gundy said. “Kendall didn’t do much last year but we are glad he is on our team this year.”