OSU’s Star Talent at Receiver Is Showcased in its Biggest Games

The 2018 rendition of Bedlam included plenty of big plays to go along with some gaudy stat lines. That’s going to be the case any time two teams combine for 95 points and 1,342 yards in one game.

Taylor Cornelius set an OSU Bedlam record with his 501 passing years. It ranks third all-time behind the likes of Brandon Weeden and Mason Rudolph as the only three 500-plus yard games in school history.

Predictably, that led to some big numbers for a couple of receivers, starting with OSU’s No. 1 option Tylan Wallace. Wallace had his seventh 100-yard game of the season in the first half alone. But it’s in the biggest games that he seems to have the biggest impact.

During OSU’s upset of No. 6 Texas, Wallace caught 10 of his 17 targets for 222 yards and two TDs. Against OU on Saturday? He caught 10 of his 17 targets for 220 yards and two TDs.

Wallace made some huge plays during his first trip to Norman, but none more than this would-be equalizing TD on fourth down.

Mike Gundy knows what it’s like to coach gamers at wideout. He’s had a slew of elite receivers over the years with the likes of Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon and James Washington headlining the group.

While he was quick to acknowledge Wallace’s great game, he likes to keep things on an even keel.

“He played good today, but you know he had three or four legitimate drops today which is unlike him,” said Gundy.

“So that’s where, I’m always a little hesitant to say that he’s at the level of other guys that were here. He’s got to learn to continue, but he had a great attitude. When he made a mistake, he didn’t show any frustration, any emotion. [He] went back and played the next play. So I was proud of him for that. As he matures he’ll fend through that.”

When it came to that late fourth-down play, with everything on the line, he seemed to have little doubt his sophomore could deliver.

“Some athletes get nervous in those situations, but that’s not gonna bother him.”

Across the field, Tyron Johnson showed that he also can perform when the stakes are highest. He wowed us with some #Freak plays like this absurd hurdle of an OU defender.

But he was also incredibly efficient and sure-handed grabbing 11 of his 14 targets for 128 yards and his own score. He now has three career 100-yard games. This game, South Alabama, where he and Tylan combined for 303 yards and Bedlam last year where he racked up 118 yards and two scores on just four catches.

The supporting cast also did their part with Dillon Stoner making five grabs for 70 yards, and Landon Wolf and Jelani Woods each grabbing crucial catches in the game.

The result will probably cloud this, but OSU’s offense was absolutely potent on Saturday in Norman averaging 7.4 per play. Cornelius and Co. averaged 9.5 yards per pass attempt (!) and regardless of how they finish this year out, there is plenty of talent at receiver for whoever takes over quarterbacking duties in 2019.