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Can Mason Rudolph Make Bedlam History With His Second Win In Norman?

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When we look back at the Oklahoma State quarterbacks who have beaten the Sooners, the list is predictably short. One name that does appear on that list is current Cowboy, Mason Rudolph.

But if Rudolph leads the Cowboys to a victory on Saturday, he won’t be the first OSU quarterback with multiple Bedlam wins (although he would be the first to do it twice in Norman).

Let’s look at the Oklahoma State quarterbacks that have been able to get multiple wins against the Sooners, in the modern era. (Bob Fenimore played halfback but led the team in passing both years as the Cowboys won Bedlam in 1944 and 1945.)

Tony Lindsay

1997: That last time Oklahoma State was favored in Norman was back in 1997. The Cowboys were led by the eventual Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Tony Lindsay. Lindsay went 9 for 16 for 129 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to R.W. McQuarters.

Cowboys won in Norman 30-7.

1998: As a redshirt-sophomore, Lindsay had an impressive four-touchdown outing at home.

Going 16 of 24 for 138 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, Lindsay also had a huge game on the ground. He rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, just shy of this fourth career 100-yard rushing game.

Cowboys win at home 41-26, completing the first pair of back-to-back Bedlam wins in 30-plus years.

Lindsay’s Bedlam record as a starter: 2-1

Josh Fields

2001: In one of the most dramatic games in OSU history, the heavy 27-point underdog Cowboys were led by true freshman Josh Fields.

Okay, so technically Fields didn’t start this game. He came in after early after Aso Pogi went 2 for 9 with two interceptions and was “the guy” from there on out.

Fields went 19 for 38 for 231 yards with one touchdown and one interception. But that one touchdown was a memorable one. “The catch” in the back of the end zone solidified Fields and all-time leading receiver Rashaun Woods in OSU lore.

OSU won 16-13 in Norman.

2002: Fields had one of the best games of his career going a super efficient 18 of 27 for 357 yards and four touchdowns. Rashaun Woods had 134 yards and two touchdowns and Tatum Bell added 106 on the ground.

Cowboys win in Stillwater 38-28.

Fields’ Bedlam record as a starter: 1-1 (but we’re counting him as 2-1)

Mason Rudolph

So were does that leave Rudolph?

2014: The record-setting junior first endeared himself to Cowboy fans when he led his 21-point underdog team to a 38-35 nail-biting win in Norman.

Rudolph went 19 of 35 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, looking stellar for a true freshman in just his second start.

Oklahoma had pushed the lead back to 14 when, late in the fourth quarter, Rudolph hit Brandon Sheperd on back-to-back plays. A 14-yard pass followed by a 43-yard touchdown pass not only brought the Cowboys within a score with less than five minutes remaining, but made me believe Sheperd would go All-Big 12 his senior season.

You probably know the rest of that story. Bob Stoops decided to re-punt and Tyreek Hill went house setting up the game-winning field goal in overtime by Ben Grogan.

Not only did Rudolph beat Oklahoma, he reignited an offense that had been mostly inept the first ten games of the season.

2015: Rudolph didn’t start the game due to an injury he sustained the week before against Baylor. He was unceremoniously trotted out for one series in lieu of J.W. Walsh with little chance of success. OSU’s coaching staff basically told Mike Stoops, “We’re going deep here.”. The result was an interception and some head scratching by all who watched.

But this year Rudolph is healthy and for once in his career appears to have the running game needed to help his prolific passing attack flourish.

If the Cowboys can pull it off this weekend, Rudolph will be the second OSU quarterback to win multiple starts and the first to win twice in Norman.

Rudolph’s Bedlam record as a starter: 1-0 (and counting)

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