Back in the saddle
OSU’s Marcell Ateman tells how he’s blended right back into the offense after missing last season.
STILLWATER — For now, the play is atop Mason Rudolph’s Heisman Trophy campaign highlight reel. But on a more relevant on-field level, it’s further proof that Oklahoma State receiver Marcell Ateman is fully tuned in with his quarterback.
And in the pursuit of championships, the latter carries more value.
The moment came late in the first quarter Saturday at Pitt. As two sack-hungry defensive linemen collapsed on Rudolph, he spun out of the pocket and ran to his left.
Well downfield, Ateman saw what was happening behind him. He moved right, then left, then right again, with Rudolph throwing as Ateman made his final
break to get away from the defender.
Ateman made the catch, broke a tackle, and beat another defensive back to the goal line for a 69-yard touchdown. He had four receptions for 109 yards in the game, and didn’t get much of a break after Chris Lacy’s early shoulder injury sidelined him for the day.
Lacy’s injury isn’t expected to be serious, but if it limits him at all, Ateman could be in line for some extra work when the sixth-ranked Cowboys host No. 16 TCU at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ateman missed a full season last year, but he hasn’t missed a step in being aligned with Rudolph and the offense.
Rudolph is quick to tell you how much they missed the presence of the 6-foot4, 220-pound Ateman when he was out with a broken foot last year.
But once Ateman got healthy enough to start running routes again, Rudolph was ready to start throwing to him.
“You’ve got to work it back through,” Rudolph said. “We did a lot of work last winter, just throwing and getting on the same page and getting everything back. We were ready come spring, and we had that connection back.”
Ateman caught 45 passes for over 700 yards as a junior in 2015. But last year’s injury led him to use his redshirt season. He rejoined a group of receivers that was already deep, with James Washington, Jalen McCleskey and Lacy, plus LSU transfer Tyron Johnson and redshirt freshman Dillon Stoner.
But he established himself through spring and summer as a strong goal-line target, with his big body and good ball skills. With so many other receivers, it seemed that might be his primary function in the offense.
That’s been far from the truth. In his first three games, Ateman is tied for the team lead in receptions, with 13, and touchdowns, with three. Only Washington has more than Ateman’s 235 yards, and he’s been a regular target when the offense is outside the red zone — like with Saturday’s big catch.
“He’s really not missed a beat,” coach Mike Gundy said. “I think being out a year has helped him. He’s older and more mature. He’s been through a season of not having something he loves.”
With an NFL body and speed to go with it, Ateman isn’t letting this year get away from him. After a year away, his appreciation for the game has grown.
“These guys are gonna make plays,” Ateman said. “We have an outstanding receiving corps and it’s an unselfish group. Whenever your number gets called, you gotta make a play.
“I’m trying to play harder, and do the little things. It’s just a great feeling to be back out here, especially with these guys. James, Mason, the offensive line — we’re just an experienced group and I’m blessed to be a part of it this year.”