For Weeden and the offense, 2009 Colorado game was significant
Published: 12/30/2011 7:40 PM
Last Modified: 12/30/2011 7:40 PM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – In hindsight, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said on Friday, the first half of the 2009 Colorado game was a huge influence on the direction of the Cowboy offense and Brandon Weeden’s surge to stardom.
When the Cowboys hosted Colorado for an ESPN-televised Thursday game at Boone Pickens Stadium, Alex Cate started at quarterback in place of the injured Zac Robinson.
During the first half, Cate was 0-of-9 passing with an interception. OSU trailed 14-10 at the break.
As a 26-year-old sophomore getting the first meaningful playing time of his career, Weeden was the second-half QB. He was 10-of-15 passing for 168 yards, connecting with running back Keith Toston and wide receiver Justin Blackmon for fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Cowboys escaped with a 31-28 victory.
“Weeden comes in and makes plays,” Gundy recalled. “The majority of plays he made, he was just running around and making plays. We weren’t that good a throwing team. It was all (play-action) pass.
“It’s kind of scary to think what would have happened if Cate had played good in that game. We would have gone through spring ball with him as the starter, and Weeden working in some. We probably don’t hire Dana Holgorsen (as the offensive coordinator in 2010). Because Weeden played that well, right then I knew that we had to find (a coordinator) so we could throw the ball. We may have not hired Dana Holgorsen if Cate had played good.”
While Gundy now describes Weeden as the best quarterback in OSU history, but in November 2009, Weeden was No. 3 on the depth chart. Following the 2009 season, Cate transferred to Central Washington.
“A lot of people . . . asked me why Cate started and played in that (Colorado) game,” Gundy said. “The reason was that he had been the backup for two years. He had earned the right, but never had a chance. He deserved his chance.
“We didn’t know a lot about Weeden other than we knew he could really throw it, but wasn’t in an offense that really fit his style. And in my opinion, he wasn’t into it mentally as much as what he should be.”
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
