Oklahoma State’s dynamic duo was at it again last night in Stillwater. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden connected with Biletnikoff wide receiver Justin Blackmon 12 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-14 victory against the visiting Arizona Wildcats.
Blackmon has now caught a pass of at least 29 yards in 15 straight games, and his streak of 14 consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards is an FCS record. Weeden completed his first 13 passes to open the game. He almost went through the entire first quarter without throwing an incomplete pass.
“I thought he made a lot of good decisions and he didn’t force the ball,” Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said of Weeden’s performance. “He threw one pick and threw the ball behind him. There were three or four times were the guy wasn’t there and he just threw the ball away. That’s what he has to do. As much as we throw the ball and as many shots as we take down the field. We want to do that, we want to be aggressive; we have players who can go get it. It’s ok if its covered to throw it away and it be second and 10. He did a much better job of that tonight.”
Weeden and Blackmon connected on the same pass route inside the red zone on two separate occasions Thursday night, leaving poor Shaquille Richardson out to dry each time. All Weeden needs to do is throw the ball up in Blackmon’s general proximity and he will more than likely haul it in.
“Weeden just throws a good ball,” Blackmon said after the win. “He knows where to put it where the defender can’t get to it and only the receiver can catch the ball. He has a good way of throwing that ball.”
Weeden also left an impression on Arizona head coach Mike Stoops, who did not seem to have a great night.
“He’s pretty amazing,” Stoops said. “He threw the ball on some third downs through some pretty tight windows. He’s pretty special. That’s a big, physical team, and you can tell they’ve made the step. They’re not a good program, they’re turning into a great one. They’re going to win a bunch of games this year. I know the top of the Big 12 looks awful strong, but they’ll be there. I think defensively, they’re better and a little more physical. For the most part, I thought we protected the quarterback. You have to score points against a team like this. Our inability to score more than 14 points is going to be tough because you’re not going to be able to hold these guys down forever.”
For as much attention as these two players receive for Oklahoma State, perhaps some recognition should be given to running back Joseph Randle, who contributed 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground as well as 99 receiving yards on nine receptions.
“He is a great player,” said new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken. “That’s the case. It’s really nothing more than just letting him go. It’s his second year in this offense and I know we’ve changed some things but he’s very comfortable. He’s just a really good football player so we would expect him to have great nights. He’s had two tremendous weeks.”
Oklahoma State now takes their offensive show on the road with a game at Tulsa on September 17, followed by the Big XII opener against Texas A&M.
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