FIRST-HALF ERUPTION: Oklahoma State cruises past Pittsburgh, 59-21, to improve to 3-0

It was over by halftime. And boy was it a lot of fun to watch.

Mason Rudolph captured the attention of Heisman voters across the country, four different wide receivers went over the century mark, and the defense was excellent for the third straight game as the No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys walloped Pittsburgh, 59-21, to improve to 3-0 on the season.

On offense, the Cowboys put up insane numbers. The type of numbers that only appear in NCAA Football video games if you were to put the difficulty on freshman.

The Cowboys compiled 676 total yards of offense —572 through the air and 104 on the ground. Rudolph was 23 of 32 for 497 yards and five touchdowns. And that was all in the first half, plus one drive in the third quarter.

Jalen McCleskey was Rudolph’s favorite target today, hauling in seven receptions for 162 yards and three scores. Marcell Ateman had four catches for 109 yards and this awesome touchdown that some were calling a “Heisman Moment” for Rudolph. Dillon Stoner had a breakout game, catching four passes for 100 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown. Finally, James Washington had five catches, 124 yards, and was held out of the end zone. After Washington torched Pitt for 296 yards and two touchdowns last year, the Panthers decided to take away Washington the best they could. The result was a terror for the Pitt secondary, as the Cowboys proved they simply have too many weapons to double team anyone. Expect teams to take a look at what Oklahoma State did today, and take their chances with single coverage on Washington.

Oh, and Tyron Johnson didn’t even suit up today.

The Cowboys scored touchdowns on all seven of their possessions in the first half, excluding the final possession where the Pokes mercifully took a knee to send the game to halftime. These were not short drives either. The Cowboys scored on drives of 75, 96, 80, 54, 65, 82, and 79 yards. That allowed for 516 yards of total offense — 423 from Rudolph — and 49 points all in the first 30 minutes.

The Pokes received the ball to start the game and it took all of two minutes before Justice Hill scored on a 20-yard touchdown run. Rudolph connected with Stoner from 54-yards out and Ateman from 69 yards to complete the scoring in the first quarter. McCleskey began the second quarter with touchdown catches of eight yards and 40 yards. The Cowboys led 35-0 before Pitt finally answered with a touchdown.

But Oklahoma State answered with two more — Hill scampered into the end zone from 15 yards out and McCleskey scored his third touchdown, this one from 48 yards. The Cowboys led 49-14 at halftime, allowing Rudolph and the rest of the offense one more series out of the break. The offense moved the ball inside the red zone but Rudolph threw his first interception of the season, snapping a school-record streak of 216 passes without an interception, which dates back to the Kansas State game last year.

But Justin Phillips was there to pick Rudolph up, as a 10-yard pick-six put the Cowboys on top 56-14. A 25-yard field goal from Matt Ammendola completed the scoring as Oklahoma State left Pitt with a 38-point win.

The Cowboys are now 3-0 and host TCU next week to open up Big 12 play. I think I speak for all Oklahoma State fans when I say this was a lot of fun, and Go Pokes!