Zac Robinson exploits Iowa State defensive mistakes

What quarterback would not love seeing no safety covering the middle area of the field as he prepares to throw the football? The Oklahoma State signal caller made the Cyclones pay dearly both times.

With the middle of the field open, Robinson burned Iowa State for two of the six longest pass plays in OSU history.

The Cowboys’ 59-17 victory over Iowa State was highlighted by Dez Bryant’s 80-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and Jeremy Broadway’s 95-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.

“We thought we could get those plays,” Robinson said.

The touchdown play to Bryant was a post-pattern route that the Cowboys seldom run with the standout receiver. Bryant slipped past his defender and had the whole middle of the field to himself.

Iowa State free safety James Smith left his coverage area to double-team OSU tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who ran about a 15- yard pass route.

By the time Bryant caught the ball at Iowa State’s 40-yard line, it was open field en route to the end zone.

“I couldn’t believe I was that wide open,” Bryant said. “Man, I could have fell on the ground and got back up and still been wide open.”

Broadway topped Bryant’s play by 15 yards. With the Cowboys facing a 2nd down and 13 play at their 5, Robinson again saw Smith coming toward the line of scrimmage to support the run. He called an audible for Broadway to run a 10-yard slant pattern.

The junior receiver got inside of cornerback Leonard Johnson, caught the ball at the OSU 15 and sprinted the final 85 yards to the end zone for his second career touchdown.

“I was surprised they had no safety back there. Zac noticed it and that’s what makes him a great quarterback,” Broadway said.

Broadway’s 95-yard touchdown catch surpassed the previous OSU record for longest pass plays of 85 yards shared by Curtis Mayfield (1989) and Hermann Eben (1969).

OSU’S LONGEST PASS PLAYS