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Welcome to high noon highlights, a place to catch up on everything you missed yesterday in Oklahoma State Athletics.
It’s finals week on the Oklahoma State campus, and I hope everyone did better on their finals than I did on my entomology exam this morning.
Anyway, here’s your daily roundup of the news from the past 24 hours or so in the world of Oklahoma State athletics.
Big Ben is NOT happy with the Steelers.
In semi-surprising news, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and almost-surefire Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger is unhappy with his team after they drafted Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third round of this year’s draft.
Ben Roethlisberger took to the radio Friday and, man, did he have some thoughts about the Steelers drafting Mason Rudolph https://t.co/uTohnzkRrs
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 4, 2018
Let’s pull some quotes about just how unhappy the 36-year old is, shall we?
“I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third round, you know you can get some really good football players that can help this team now. Nothing against Mason; I think he’s a great football player. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he’s a great kid. I just don’t know how backing up or being a third [string] -- well, who knows where he’s going to fall on the depth chart -- helps us win now.”
“I don’t think I’ll need to, now that he said he doesn’t need me. If he asks me a question, I might just have to point to the playbook.”
If you ask me, I would guess that Big Ben sees the writing on the wall and also sees a legitimate threat to his job in Rudolph. I don’t remember seeing this when the team drafted QB Josh Dobbs out of Tennessee in the fourth round last year.
Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated published an open letter to the quarterback, reminding him that this situation is similar to what Roethlisberger did to Tommy Maddox.
You were right about one thing back in 2005: You owe. In tutoring you, Maddox was acting as a minister of our beautiful game, a devotee of the code you flouted, and you owe it to him to either mentor the wet-behind-the-ears 22-year-old hoping to be the next Ben Roethlisberger, or, at the very least, answer his questions. Yet now, 14 years later, you seem to have forgotten that debt. ”If he asks me a question,” you said of Rudolph last week, “I might just have to point to the playbook.”
To his credit, the rookie handled your comments with veteran-like diplomacy, trying to defuse the situation: “If I was Ben, I’d probably say the same thing,” Rudolph said. “He’s a competitor. Obviously he has a lot of confidence in himself like I do, and yeah, he’s going to be a future Hall of Famer, and I would expect him to say that.”
One thing is for sure. The situation in Pittsburgh is now one to monitor throughout the offseason. Next season, fans everywhere will be intently watching as the often-injured Roethlisberger looks to fend off his competition and hope that history doesn’t repeat itself in the steel city.
On the other side of the coin, Mason Rudolph had a great interview discussing the draft, why he loves that he is a member of the Steelers and what it means to reunite with James Washington at the next level.
"He put A LOT of points up on the board at Oklahoma State." @Rudolph2Mason discusses his #NFLDraft process, why he had his fingers crossed for Pittsburgh, the most difficult part of the draft, everything you need to know about @james_james28 and so much more. pic.twitter.com/YcICZtyBgo
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 7, 2018
Cowboy basketball season tickets start at a lower price.
Oklahoma State announced yesterday that season tickets to Mike Boynton’s second season will now be more affordable.
We're excited to announce that we've reduced season ticket prices in several sections for 2018-19. Season tickets are on sale now and start at just $150! #letswork #okstate
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) May 7, 2018
https://t.co/dw5NFHKc9K pic.twitter.com/pYzQEYldSO
Dillon Stoner is the Big 12’s best returning receiver.
Pro Football Focus graded the best receivers that will be returning to the collegiate gridiron this fall, and a familiar name topped the list.
Leading all returning Big 12 WRs in passer rating when targeted – Dillon Stoner of Oklahoma State pic.twitter.com/oA1RsbQZLB
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 7, 2018
Stoner achieved a 136.3 passer rating when targeted by Rudolph. Oklahoma’s Ceedee Lamb and Marquise Brown were narrowly behind him, coming in at 136.1 and 135.5, respectively. However, all three receivers will be catching passes from a new quarterback this season.
In the loaded WR corps last season, Stoner was a solid option that often flew under the radar. Don’t expect that to be the case this season.
Cowgirl soccer complex update
As the Cowgirls’ new soccer stadium is continuing to be built, they got to tour the project and see where they will be playing soon.
Lots of smiles, oohs & aahs as we got a tour of our under construction new stadium last week. Can't wait til it's finished and move-in ready! #ComingSoon #GoPokes #okstate pic.twitter.com/9qO3rNKoZA
— Cowgirl Soccer (@CowgirlFC) May 7, 2018
Something to make you smile.
Former Oklahoma State safety, now Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers is in his rookie training camp. An adorable picture of Flowers and his daughter, Bailey, surfaced and it just warms your heart.
May Flowers. Tre and his baby girl Bailey. pic.twitter.com/3DDRsRDBYC
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) May 7, 2018
That’s all for today folks. Enjoy your Tuesday and, as always, Go Pokes!