Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: Upsets shake up pecking order after Week 3
By Zach Bigalke
Notables
- Leaderboards: Tied-2nd nationally in passing touchdowns (3.7 per game)
- Passing: 68-of-94 for 1135 yards, 11 touchdowns vs 1 interception
- Other: 8 carries for 18 yards, 2 touchdowns (2 sacks)
Is the best quarterback in the state of Oklahoma based in Norman or Stillwater? Mason Rudolph has made this a legitimate question in 2017, as he continues to carve up opposing defenses week after week. He debuted on the Heisman Trophy Watch last week, and after quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen tumbled off the list he vaults up right behind his Bedlam rival.
On the road at Pittsburgh, Rudolph did what Trace McSorley could not for Penn State the week before. In short, he terrorized a Panthers secondary with a huge passing day. Rudolph finished with 497 yards and five touchdowns on 23-of-32 passing. He took one sack and threw a pick on the Oklahoma State’s opening drive of the third quarter, but otherwise it was another near-perfect performance for the Cowboys quarterback.
He is situated in the top five of most individual passing categories among FBS quarterbacks. Those numbers, though, are slightly stunted by the fact that Rudolph hasn’t had to play complete games for the Cowboys to win. If he continues to have big games like he did against Pitt, though, the stats will naturally build.
Oklahoma State now turns its attention to Big 12 play after completing its non-conference schedule against the Panthers. Rudolph will get his first chance to shine in a statement game, with No. 16 TCU coming to Stillwater to face the No. 6 Pokes.