Rudolph, No. 18 Oklahoma State rolls over Kansas
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Mason Rudolph passed for 438 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores in his final home game to lead Oklahoma State to a 58-17 victory over Kansas.
James Washington, Dillon Stoner and Marcel Ateman each went over 100 yards receiving for Oklahoma State (9-3, 6-3 Big 12, CFP No. 19), who were all but eliminated from the Big 12 championship race by losing to Kansas State last week.
"I was really proud of our seniors and the leadership they gave us during the week," Oklahoma State Mike Gundy said. "When I talk about their class and character, part of that is being able to overcome a big win but then also come back after a game like last week. You got to come back and work hard and do it right, and that's what they do."
Peyton Bender started in place of the injured Carter Stanley and was 17 of 32 passing for 172 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas (1-11, 0-9), which lost its 45th consecutive road game.
"Carter had a knee injury from last week," said Jayhawks coach David Beaty. "Peyton stepped in there, I thought he did some decent things early. When we protect him, he's got some talent now. We've just got to do a better job of keeping him upright."
Oklahoma State's big-play offense delivered, scoring on five consecutive first-half possessions en route to a 34-10 lead at halftime. The Cowboys then made it 41-10 just one minute into the third quarter on Rudolph's 36-yard touchdown pass to Washington.
The Cowboys outgained Kansas 661 yards to 241, holding the Jayhawks to just two yards in the fourth quarter.
"We gave up way too many pass yards against them, we got to be better there," Beaty said. "For that team right there not to be in the (conference) championship game is crazy to me. It just tells you how talented this conference is, from top to bottom."
It was the fifth game this season that Rudolph has gone over 400 yards passing. He also has now been responsible for 45 touchdowns this season, breaking the OSU record of 44 set by Barry Sanders during his Heisman Trophy season of 1988.
"I think Barry Sanders did a lot for the university and obviously won a Heisman Trophy so I think he'll always be the best from Oklahoma State," Rudolph said. "It takes a lot around you to get something like that done. I've been blessed with a lot of weapons to pass the ball to and it has been fun."
THE TAKEAWAY
Kansas: Like most of their games this season, the Jayhawks had times where they played well and could compete on a level playing field, especially early on, but lapses here and there cost them as usual, and eventually they weren't able to sustain the positive stretches.
Oklahoma State: While there was still an air of disappointment hanging over the sparsely-populated stadium from the Cowboys' heart-breaking 45-40 loss last week, the team itself displayed no ill effects with their performance.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
With a lopsided victory over an opponent they were expected to handle relatively easily, Oklahoma State will likely stay around No. 18, depending on how teams above them fare.
NOT GOING ANYWHERE
There was some speculation that Beaty might be fired once the season was over, but that will not be happening. Kansas Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger issued a statement immediately after saying, "While we know the results of this season are not acceptable, the rebuilding of this program is a process, and Coach Beaty will continue to lead us through it. I'm excited and encouraged about the coaching staff's recruiting efforts and the facility upgrades we've made thus far and those we are about begin."
Beaty said: "They understand and know the vision, and I've been very clear about how we build it. Unfortunately, when you go through rebuilds, there's not always a quick fix. Sometimes there is, but it will be short-lived if you're not careful. We're trying to do it the right way."
UP NEXT
Kansas: Vacation time. The Jayhawks' season is over.
Oklahoma State: After missing out on the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cowboys will wait to see what their bowl game matchup will be.