Mason Rudolph’s poise, confidence shine in tight-game situations COOL IN THE CLUTCH
STILLWATER — Mike Yurcich’s eyes widened when he heard the statistic.
The Oklahoma State offensive coordinator, who has called plays for the duration of Mason Rudolph’s Cowboy career, and witnessed each of the quarterback’s 30 victories, was still amazed to find out that one-third of those wins had come with a secondhalf rally.
Exactly 10 of Rudolph’s school-record 30 wins came when the Cowboys trailed in the second half. Multiple times by double-digits.
Among the list of Rudolph’s rallies are two wins over Kansas State, which led the Pokes 37-28 with just under eight minutes to play last season. That’s when Rudolph hit James Washington for an 82-yard touchdown.
A few minutes later, Rudolph guided the Cow- boys on an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped by Chris Carson’s 17-yard game-winning touchdown run with 1:46 on the clock.
A year earlier, Rudolph led the Cowboys into field-goal range for Ben Grogan’s game-winner with 32 seconds left in a 36-34 escape.
Rudolph’s OSU career is highlighted by big passes and crazy statistics that will make him the most decorated quarterback in OSU history when his career concludes at the end of the season. But his late-game acumen has been as valuable as anything.
Most importantly, his attitude when the game is on the line doesn’t fluc-
tuate, and that permeates through the team.
“He’s always just him, and that’s big,” senior right tackle Zach Crabtree said.
“There are certain positions within the team that eyes are always upon you, and he always shows that same calm, confident demeanor. It’s natural for humans, if you’re looking at that guy and he’s calm, you’re gonna be calm.”
Kansas State visits Boone Pickens Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday to take on the 13th-ranked Cowboys, who still have some significant goals within reach — a potential Big 12 title game spot and a major bowl game atop the list.
And with the way the OSU-Kansas State series has gone in recent years, the Cowboys could be in need of another Rudolph rally.
Eight of the last 10 games between the teams, back to 2003, have been decided by 10 points or less.
“Two qualities: poise and confidence,” Yurcich said of Rudolph. “Those are two overwhelming qualities that he possesses and that all great players possess.
“It reveals itself in tight-game situations. Those are real moments when guys separate themselves. Some guys look at that like, ‘I want the last shot,’ and that’s how he’s always felt. He thrives in those situations.”
It helps that the offense has others with similar characteristics. Justice Hill at running back.
James Washington and Marcell Ateman at receiver. Brad Lundblade and Crabtree on the offensive line.
“It’s contagious,” Yurcich said. “Is it learned or inherent? Those things, I don’t know if we’ll ever find out the answer. But I feel it is contagious and the guys feed off it.”
The formula hasn’t been perfect. OSU’s fourth-quarter rallies against TCU and Oklahoma earlier this season were snuffed out by offensive mistakes, whether by Rudolph or others.
But the overwhelming success in those situations through his career stands tall. The Cowboys are 15-4 in games decided by 11 points or less with Rudolph in command — half of his career victories.
“We have a lot of experienced guys in close games, tight situations,” Rudolph said. “Especially on offense, we don’t get fazed when we’re down by a couple scores.
“We know we’ve got the firepower to come back in five-to-eight minutes.
“That’s our relentless mindset.”
Following last week’s 49-42 win at Iowa State — yet another of Rudolph’s second-half rallies, trailing by 14 early and by eight with six minutes to play — Gundy got a chance to visit with Rudolph’s parents outside the team bus, taking the opportunity to reflect on what the quarterback has meant to OSU in his four years.
“We can argue stats, wins or whatever,” Gundy said. “Here's what he has done: He has been the most committed player to this team that I have ever seen.
“It doesn't guarantee he’s going to make all his throws, or he isn’t going to misread something, or he isn’t going to throw an interception.
“But his commitment to success for his team and himself is through the roof. I have three sons. I would only hope they would be that committed to some organization at some point in their lives. I’m proud to watch him. He makes me proud.”