QB Rudolph key to Pokes offensive attack

Another week, another top offense stands in front of the West Virginia defense in Oklahoma State this weekend.

The Cowboys offense is triggered by junior quarterback Mason Rudolph, who is entering his second full year as the starter and has taken even more leaps in his development.

During his career, Rudolph has amassed a 17-5 record while setting school records in passing yards per game and being highly efficient with the football.

This season, Rudolph has thrown for 2,259 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games while tossing only a pair of interceptions. The Pokes signal caller led the Cowboys to a victory against West Virginia in Morgantown last season and presents another challenge to the Mountaineers defense.

“He’s as good as there is in our league with sitting in the pocket and going through his progressions and getting the ball where it needs to go,” defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said.

Now a year older, Rudolph has shown the ability to make every throw on the field and if given the time will scan the field and make throws to move the chains. And while the Pokes will first try to establish the ground game and then throw the ball over top. But it’s what Rudolph can do recognizing the coverage pre-snap and then getting the football to the open man that is most impressive.

“He’s very good at being able to read coverage post snap and wide the open wide receiver,” safeties coach Matt Caponi said. “He can drop some dimes in there.”

Because of his ability to facilitate the football to where it needs to go as well as the arsenal of weapons at his disposal it makes it a tricky proposition for when the Mountaineers can bring pressure. Last season on several instances, Rudolph caught the defense blitzing and threw to those matchups.

“He found the match up he wanted,” Gibson said.

And when they do they have to keep Rudolph in the pocket because while he is not known as a runner, did get out of the pocket for a 40-yard run against West Virginia last season on a drive that led to points.

“We have to make sure we keep him in the pocket and try to get some coverage,” Gibson said.

However, overall Gibson’s unit was able to hold Rudolph to regular season lows in passing yardage with 218 yards and completion percentage at 50-percent. But now with even more experience under his belt, the Mountaineers will have another stiff task in corralling the Cowboys offense.

Just another week in the Big 12 Conference.