Mason Rudolph Was Better Than Pat Mahomes On Saturday

Remember when all manner of college football fans were talking about Mason Rudolph as an “average” quarterback earlier this year? He fumbles too much, they said. He can’t make the intermediate throws, they said. He has no pocket presence, they said.

These are fair critiques of Rudolph, of course, but what they all fail to see is the long game. The rhythm of a season and the ability of a QB1 to grow into his oversized expectations. On Saturday, Mason Rudolph stared at one of the best quarterbacks in the country on the other side of the field and said, I’m better than that guy.

And he was.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 344 yards on 52 passes and three scores and rushed for two more. He was magical at times and clearly playing at somewhere south of 90 percent. He was everything we were told and much more. He, at times, kept Texas Tech in the game. His final drive in the fourth quarter was a masterpiece. He leads the nation in passing yards for a reason. He was (and is) spectacular.

But Rudolph went blow for blow with him. Rudolph was more efficient (20/28) for more yards (395) and even had a rushing TD himself. It was just the 10th time since 2000 that a QB has thrown for 395+ on 30 or fewer attempts and added a rushing TD. He averaged over 14 yards per attempt! It was his own personal Picasso.

Mason Tebow gets one. Cowboys up two TDs. https://t.co/goPhIHUCLP

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 12, 2016

Don’t look now, but that’s the third straight game in which Rudolph has hit on 71 percent or more of his passes. He now has 27 total TDs  this season and just four interceptions. He is averaging 9.5 yards per attempt which is No. 8 in the country and barely ahead of Lamar Jackson.

He is fully evolved.

He is [whispers] as good as Brandon Weeden in his career at home.

Mason Rudolph has started 13 home games in his career.

64%
4,630 yards
37 total TDs
4 INT

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 13, 2016

13 home starts for Weeden in his career as well …

71%
4,553 yards
41 total TDs
15 INT https://t.co/TjpOtv5lQv

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 13, 2016

And on Saturday, he was better than Mahomes.

“They’re going to make some plays,” said head coach Mike Gundy of Texas Tech. “I think (Patrick) Mahomes is a first-round pick, and he showed that today in different areas. I suggested to him after the game that he comes out early, and if he’s looking for an agent, then we can find somebody. He’s a nice young man. When you play a team like that, that has a quarterback with those capabilities, then it’s going to be pretty exciting in the end.

“I was really proud of our team,” Gundy added. “I thought Mason matched (Mahomes). He was really good today. He missed maybe one or two throws today, but mentally, he was really sharp.”

Yes he was. He’s making all the throws. The over-the-middle slants, the fades, the screens, the outrageous sideline routes, the back-shoulder dimes and the deep bombs. The full monty. All of it.

That throw. ? https://t.co/SoBlRffJBZ

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) November 12, 2016

In the long run, Rudolph probably won’t be able to beat out Mahomes (or Baker Mayfield) for a spot on the All-Big 12 first or second team (a shocking reality). I get that. And I’m not saying Rudolph is objectively better right now or as a future pro prospect. Don’t mis-hear me.

All I’m saying is that for one night Rudolph went toe to toe with one of the best (if not the best) in the business. He matched him dime for dime and NFL throw for NFL throw. For one night, Mason Rudolph was better than Patrick Mahomes, and it was quite a show.