Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Bruce Waterfield
NCAA Statistical Champion: Mason Rudolph’s 2017 Season
May 19, 2022 | Cowboy Football
The 2017 Oklahoma State offense was one of the most prolific offenses in the nation and in program history. Averaging 45 points and 568.9 yards per game, the Cowboy offense ranked fourth in scoring offense and second in yards per game among FBS teams.
The offense was especially dangerous through the air led by senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. A 2016 Davey O' Brien award semifinalist throwing for 4,091 yards as a junior, Rudolph was even more dangerous in 2017 in his third full season as the starter.
While leading the Pokes to a 10-3 record, Rudolph led the FBS with 4,904 passing yards, which was 277 yards more than the nearest total belonging to Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield. Rudolph was also tied for fourth in touchdown passes tossing 37 over the course of the season.
As Rudolph topped the nation in passing, teammate James Washington led the country in receiving yards en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award recognizing the nation's top receiver. Not far behind Washington's 1,549 yards was another OSU wide receiver, Marcell Ateman, who ranked inside the top 15 in receiving yards leaders with 1,156. Along with running back Justice Hill, Oklahoma State became the first Big 12 school in history with a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard running back in a single season.
Posting five games with over 400 yards through the air in 2017, Rudolph's game against Pittsburgh was his most impressive as he completed 23 of 32 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns in the 59-21 win on the road. In that game, Rudolph broke his own record for passing yards in a half as he posted a 20-for-28 line with 423 yards and all five touchdowns in the first half before being pulled with the Cowboys up 42 points in the middle of the third quarter.
Rudolph's season is still all over the Oklahoma State record book as he currently holds the single season records for passing yards, passing efficiency, average yards per pass attempt, passing yards per game and is tied with Brandon Weeden's 2011 mark for most passing touchdowns. He also added 10 rushing touchdowns to bring his total to 47 and break the touchdowns responsible for record that had been held by Barry Sanders since his 1988 Heisman season. His 4,904 passing yards stands as the 20th most in a single season in FBS history, one spot behind current OSU quarterbacks coach, Tim Rattay's 1998 season at Louisiana Tech when he threw for 4,943 yards.
Rounding out the 2017 campaign, Rudolph became Oklahoma State's all-time winningest quarterback surpassing Mike Gundy's 29 wins from 1986-89. He was a second-team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Rudolph was named the Sammy Baugh Award winner, which is presented to the nation's top college passer by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. He also won the 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, while being named one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award and the Manning Award, which both recognize top quarterbacks in the nation.
The offense was especially dangerous through the air led by senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. A 2016 Davey O' Brien award semifinalist throwing for 4,091 yards as a junior, Rudolph was even more dangerous in 2017 in his third full season as the starter.
While leading the Pokes to a 10-3 record, Rudolph led the FBS with 4,904 passing yards, which was 277 yards more than the nearest total belonging to Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield. Rudolph was also tied for fourth in touchdown passes tossing 37 over the course of the season.
As Rudolph topped the nation in passing, teammate James Washington led the country in receiving yards en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award recognizing the nation's top receiver. Not far behind Washington's 1,549 yards was another OSU wide receiver, Marcell Ateman, who ranked inside the top 15 in receiving yards leaders with 1,156. Along with running back Justice Hill, Oklahoma State became the first Big 12 school in history with a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard running back in a single season.
Posting five games with over 400 yards through the air in 2017, Rudolph's game against Pittsburgh was his most impressive as he completed 23 of 32 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns in the 59-21 win on the road. In that game, Rudolph broke his own record for passing yards in a half as he posted a 20-for-28 line with 423 yards and all five touchdowns in the first half before being pulled with the Cowboys up 42 points in the middle of the third quarter.
Rudolph's season is still all over the Oklahoma State record book as he currently holds the single season records for passing yards, passing efficiency, average yards per pass attempt, passing yards per game and is tied with Brandon Weeden's 2011 mark for most passing touchdowns. He also added 10 rushing touchdowns to bring his total to 47 and break the touchdowns responsible for record that had been held by Barry Sanders since his 1988 Heisman season. His 4,904 passing yards stands as the 20th most in a single season in FBS history, one spot behind current OSU quarterbacks coach, Tim Rattay's 1998 season at Louisiana Tech when he threw for 4,943 yards.
Rounding out the 2017 campaign, Rudolph became Oklahoma State's all-time winningest quarterback surpassing Mike Gundy's 29 wins from 1986-89. He was a second-team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Rudolph was named the Sammy Baugh Award winner, which is presented to the nation's top college passer by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. He also won the 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, while being named one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award and the Manning Award, which both recognize top quarterbacks in the nation.
Cowboy Wrestling Media Availability | Oklahoma State Postgame vs. Little Rock (02-06-26)
Saturday, February 07
Oklahoma State vs. Little Rock | Condensed Dual Highlights (02-06-2026)
Saturday, February 07
Cody Merrill vs Liam Daniels - Oklahoma State Wrestling (02/06/26)
Saturday, February 07
Alex Facundo vs Bronson Baxter - Oklahoma State Wrestling (02/06/26)
Saturday, February 07
