Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
The Context Made It Matter
September 14, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Sometimes context is everything.
On September 10 of last season, Oklahoma State lost a stunning decision to Central Michigan when the referees erroneously awarded a free play to the Chippewas after the game had ended. CMU converted the chance into a successful game-winning touchdown. Shortly after the game ended, the head referee admitted his crew's mistake and went on to say that the play should have never happened and Central Michigan should not have been given the chance to win.
For all of the next week, Oklahoma State fans stewed over the loss-that-should-not-have-been and there were questions about how the team would respond to the adversity and the kind of impact it could have at that early juncture of the season.
Did the Cowboys have the mental toughness to not allow the disappointment to linger into the following week's game against Pittsburgh, who was riding high following a win over eventual Big Ten champion Penn State?
That kind of talk dragged on all week and even into the morning of the Pitt game, largely because observers didn't know what to expect from OSU in such an unusual situation.
What the Cowboys offered up on the first play of the game against Pittsburgh was perhaps the strongest possible indicator of OSU's moxie. Quarterback Mason Rudolph took the game's first snap and chucked it deep to receiver James Washington, who caught it in stride and dashed into the end zone for a 91-yard touchdown reception.
It was the exclamation point that Oklahoma State fans needed and it allowed them to breathe a little easier. Washington went on to pile up 231 receiving yards by halftime and finished the day by setting career bests with nine catches for 296 yards. He had two touchdowns, with the 91-yarder the longest of his career.
He was recognized as the national player of the week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, but his performance wasn't just about the stats.
It was about the context.
On September 10 of last season, Oklahoma State lost a stunning decision to Central Michigan when the referees erroneously awarded a free play to the Chippewas after the game had ended. CMU converted the chance into a successful game-winning touchdown. Shortly after the game ended, the head referee admitted his crew's mistake and went on to say that the play should have never happened and Central Michigan should not have been given the chance to win.
For all of the next week, Oklahoma State fans stewed over the loss-that-should-not-have-been and there were questions about how the team would respond to the adversity and the kind of impact it could have at that early juncture of the season.
Did the Cowboys have the mental toughness to not allow the disappointment to linger into the following week's game against Pittsburgh, who was riding high following a win over eventual Big Ten champion Penn State?
That kind of talk dragged on all week and even into the morning of the Pitt game, largely because observers didn't know what to expect from OSU in such an unusual situation.
What the Cowboys offered up on the first play of the game against Pittsburgh was perhaps the strongest possible indicator of OSU's moxie. Quarterback Mason Rudolph took the game's first snap and chucked it deep to receiver James Washington, who caught it in stride and dashed into the end zone for a 91-yard touchdown reception.
It was the exclamation point that Oklahoma State fans needed and it allowed them to breathe a little easier. Washington went on to pile up 231 receiving yards by halftime and finished the day by setting career bests with nine catches for 296 yards. He had two touchdowns, with the 91-yarder the longest of his career.
He was recognized as the national player of the week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, but his performance wasn't just about the stats.
It was about the context.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy FootballMonday, August 10
Sunday, August 09
Friday, August 07
Wednesday, August 05
