Now more than ever, OSU's anchor is Zac Robinson
Published: 10/16/2009 1:11 PM
Last Modified: 10/16/2009 1:11 PM
With Dez Bryant sentenced to an indefinite suspension and Kendall Hunter expected to miss a fourth consecutive game because of an ankle-foot injury, Oklahoma State is left with only one of its nationally renowned skill-position stars.
Now more than ever, this is Zac Robinson's team.
This year, because coach Mike Gundy wants to lessen Robinson's injury risk, the Cowboys' quarterback run game is nearly non-existent. As 16th-ranked OSU as arrives at midseason with Saturday's 8:15 p.m. homecoming battle with Missouri, Robinson has rushed for only 22.6 yards per game.
Instead of being so frequently vulnerable to 240-pound linebackers on option plays, Robinson is passing the football better than ever before. Over OSU's last three games, he has completed 67 percent of his attempts for 595 yards and five touchdowns.
"The whole thing starts with Zac Robinson," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "I think he's a great player – a calming force."
In last week's 36-31 victory at Texas A&M, on important plays during the second half, he launched perfectly placed passes to a variety of wide receivers.
During the third period, Robinson connected with freshman Tracy Moore for a 51-yard touchdown that gave the Cowboys a 21-15 lead. Six minutes later, on third-and-8 from the Aggie 46-yard line, there was a 32-yard throw to Justin Blackmon. During the fourth quarter, on third-and-9 from the A&M 48, there was an 18-yarder to Hubert Anyiam. Three plays later, on third-and-9 from the Aggie 29, a 15-yarder to Dameron Fooks.
During the second half at A&M, he was 8-of-11 passing for 156 yards. In passing efficiency, he currently leads the Big 12 and ranks 11th nationally. Already OSU's career leader in total offense and touchdown passes, Robinson now has a career total of 7,303 passing yards. With 695 more yards, he will have supplanted Gundy as OSU's all-time leader in passing yards.
"Zac is just being Zac," Cowboy running back Keith Toston said. "He's doing what it takes for us to win football games."
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
