Rudolph’s leadership critical
Mason Rudolph is the Marlboro Man. Rugged Cowboy who does his talking without words.
Rudolph isn’t going to plant a flag on the field after victory. Not going to cry and vow to win out after defeat. He’s not Baker Mayfield or Tim Tebow, and you wouldn’t want him to be.
The Marlboro Man is the same, win or lose, rain or shine. But Rudolph’s leadership faces a test this week. His persona is under the gun.
The Oklahoma State quarterback takes his team to Jones Stadium for a Saturday night showdown in the Big 12’s version of the wild, wild West. And the Cowboys hit the South Plains staggered.
TCU bushwhacked OSU 44-31 last week, and few Cowboys shined. Not Rudolph. Not the offense. Not the defense. Not the kicking game. A team that was ranked sixth in the nation and deemed “special” by its coach instead was dominated by the Horned Frogs.
And then the Marlboro Man downplayed the defeat. “It’s really a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things,” Rudolph said.
Uh, no. Playing as OSU did against the Horned Frogs is no minor hiccup. That’s acid indigestion at best and cardiac arrest at worst. Rudolph really meant that the loss doesn’t have to cost the Cowboys their goals. Which is correct. But those goals are unobtainable if this OSU football team is anything like what we saw last Saturday.
This is Rudolph’s team. He’s in his fourth season as the starting quarterback. He was a Heisman Trophy contender and could be again if the Cowboys rebound. But getting back in the saddle is very much Rudolph’s responsibility. Not just standing tall in the pocket and delivering passes to his posse of receivers. Standing tall in team interaction and letting the Cowboys know that last Saturday was not acceptable.
“I think I did that Sunday morning,” Rudolph said this week. “It’s not a Rudy speech in front of the locker room. You’re not jumping up on the chair. Just the way you carry yourself. Make sure guys are believing in you and believing in our team and what we can do.”
Rudolph has help in leading these Cowboys. Since debuting as the starting quarterback on Nov. 22, 2014, Rudolph
has had the same center (Brad Lundblade) and same favorite receiver (James Washington). That was Lundblade’s first start, too, and Washington’s first 100yard receiving game, of which he’s had 14 more since.
Washington says he’s seen no difference in Rudolph this week.
“I feel like he’s the same,” Washington said. “I don’t see a reason to change up the way you are after a loss.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich says talk is overrated. “What you need from any leader is lead by example,” Yurcich said. “There’s only so much talking you can do. It’s about making plays, it’s about doing what’s best for the team and putting the team first. That’s true for any leader on the team.”
No one wants Rudolph to abandon his talksoftly-and-carry-abig-stick mentality.
He’s bucking to be the best quarterback in OSU history, and he didn’t get to that status by being somebody he’s not.
But Rudolph also knows, despite his hiccup comment, that this Cowboy season could go quickly off the rails.
“We’re confident and ready to turn this thing around and get back on track,” Rudolph said. “You gotta be consistent in your approach and your work ethic and the example you set for everyone from the bottom up. At the same time, kind of got to rally those guys and set the record straight going into the week.”
So that’s it. Be the Marlboro Man. But be the Marlboro Man with an edge for this OSU football season on the brink.
Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok. com/berrytramel.