PITTSBURGH (AP) – Mason Rudolph threw five touchdown passes, all in the first half, and No. 9 Oklahoma State drilled Pittsburgh 59-21 on Saturday.
Rudolph completed 23 of 32 passes for 497 yards before being pulled in the middle of the third quarter with the Cowboys (3-0) in full command. He did throw his first interception of the season, ending a streak of 216 consecutive passes without a pick dating back to last season. It was the longest active streak in the FBS.
“He made some big plays today at crucial times and you see the importance of having a quarterback that can make plays,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. He just made a lot of plays. He got out of his box one time, and when he did, he made an interception.”
Jalen McCleskey caught seven passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. James Washington added 124 yards receiving. Marcell Ateman (109) and Dillon Stoner (100) also reached the 100-yard receiving mark, the first time in 12 years a team has had four 100-yard receivers in a game. The Cowboys did it despite missing LSU transfer Tyron Johnson, suspended for the game for a violation of team rules.
The Cowboys reached the end zone on each of their first seven possessions, including a pair of touchdown runs by Justice Hill. Oklahoma State converted all nine of its third downs in the opening half.