Marcell Ateman and James Washington Exited With a Dominating Performance

There have been 21 games in Oklahoma State’s history of playing football (nearly 1,200 games) in which two receivers have totaled 100 or more yards each. Eight of those have come via James Washington and Marcell Ateman. Seven of them came this year.

Astounding numbers, for sure, and last week’s Camping World Bowl sign-off against Virginia Tech was the perfect picture in how those two worked together. Ateman dominated the first half with nearly 100 yards while Washington took over the second. Ateman caught 50/50 balls. Washington ran past people. They combined for 233 yards.

They ended the season in style. Here’s a look at their seven 100-yard games this year.

Ateman got overshadowed by the Biletnikoff winner all year, but he ends his career with 10 100-yard games, which is more than anyone not named Rashaun Woods, Justin Blackmon, Hart Lee Dykes and James Washington in OSU history. He also ends sixth all time (all time!) in receiving yards with 2,466 behind those four and D’Juan Woods.

We talk a lot about the Rudolph-Washington combo, and deservedly so. But OSU is going to miss both of these guys equally, and Washington is going to miss having such a monster on the other side of the field to take attention away from him.

It’s unfortunate that these two didn’t get a bigger stage to show their skills in the postseason. I watched the CFB Playoff games, and both would have been among the best (if not been the best) receivers on the field in any of those games. Instead, they went quietly and prolifically into the Orlando night doing what they’ve done for four years now. Racking up yards, carrying the offense, winning football games.