Coach likens Oklahoma State QB to Brady
PITTSBURGH — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has never tried to shelter his quarterback, Mason Rudolph, and he’s not about to start. Rudolph is on his own in dealing with a wave of Heisman Trophy hype, in choosing to deflect or absorbpraiseashepleases,evenifit comes from his own coach.
After Rudolph’s performance in a 59-21 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, in which the senior quarterback threw for 497 yards and five touchdowns, Gundy likened Rudolph to “the Tom Brady of college football.” Then he challenged Rudolph to tune it out.
“They’ll name that street after you oneday,andacoupledayslater, they’ll run you right down it,” Gundy said.“andhehastothinkthatway andfunctioninthatworld.ithink he’ll do fine.”
Rudolph should be fine because he’s become Oklahoma State’s alltime leading passer without being coddled and insulated — and because he is operating a with a loaded wide receiver corps, led by senior James Washington.
It was not lost on Rudolph and Washington that their decimation ofpittcameatheinzfield,annfl stadium that was largely empty by halftime and was advertising free beverages to students who stayed to watchthedurationoftherout.
Both players acknowledged the rising stakes of this weekend, when No. 6 Oklahoma State (3-0) opens Big12playathomeagainstno.16 Texas Christian (3-0).
“We thought, we wanted to blow the top off this thing,” Rudolph saidoftheefficiencyoftheoffense, which ranks in the top 10 nationally in average points per (54), total yards per game (607), passing yards per game (407.3) and third-down conversion percentage (56.4).
Leading the way are the quarterback and his top wideout. In a 49-point first half against the Panthers, Rudolph passed for 423 yards, converted six third downs with completions and led seven consecutive touchdown drives, including scoring throwsof54,69,8,40and48yards. As Washington drew double teams and rolled coverages for most of the game, Oklahoma State had four players record at least 100 receiving yards, something no major college team had done in 12 years.
“At times like that, you can’t be selfish. You have to run great routes and act like you’re getting the ball, because it will open up other guys,” said Washington, who this season has 13 catches for 387 yards and threetouchdowns.“whenit’syour chance to make a play, make a play.”