Scouting Report: Ateman Scored on Half His Touches in Ames

Marcell Ateman might be climbing up draft boards more quickly than anyone in the country, and he only added to his NFL case Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

He caught four passes for 97 yards and two scores, both of which were absolutely pivotal in keeping Oklahoma State in the game before eventually, somehow winning 49-42.

Although the sample size was small, Ateman packed a lot of punch in what proved to be, frankly, an elimination game from the Big 12 Championship for the Cowboys. So on one of the grandest stages, let’s look at how Ateman was so opportunistic.

Keeping it Close

Down 14-0 with less than two minutes left in the first quarter, OSU had the ball at the Cyclones’ 21. Cue the big guy.

This play was busted, but that only made Ateman a more viable target. With his frame and athleticism, Mason Rudolph has proven apt to just toss it up to No. 3, and most often, No. 3 Mosses someone. That’s what he did on this touchdown.

Rudolph took the snap and was in a run-pass option, one of OSU’s most frequently used plays. Dillon Stoner lined up to Ateman’s right in the slot and ran a 10-yard post. Rudolph wanted him, but the safety had it clouded.

He looked at Ateman with the pass rush starting to ooze through, but his route wasn’t designed for a broken play. He ran a curl at the first down marker, but the corner was face-guarding, and the linebacker slipped into the flat underneath.

Rudolph gave him a finger to head north, so Ateman broke it off and beat his defender to the back of the end zone. The catch and toe drag was just icing for a great second effort on the route.

But probably most important, who knows what would have happened if OSU didn’t score six in that spot.

Most Clutch Catch of the Year?

One could argue.

Down eight with under six minutes to play in a must-win game, and Ateman comes up with that? Forget most clutch catch of the year, that’s the most clutch play of the year to this point.

Firstly, Rudolph definitely said a prayer before he let this one fly. Ateman was by no means open, and he was targeted strictly because of his size. That’s fair.

Secondly, and what is unfair, is what Ateman did to that poor corner.

Rudolph did a phenomenal job at keeping this play alive with subtle movements inside the pocket. He has looked like a true pro when it comes to his pocket awareness, especially lately.

He goes through what looks like six (!!!) reads before settling on Ateman in the corner and delivering what Mike Gundy called a great ball to allow his receiver to tower over the smaller defender.

What is truly unbelievable is how Ateman isn’t even the best pass-catcher on his own team but might be the second-best in the entire conference.

“Marcell’s got a gift,” Mike Gundy said postgame. “He has a special gift.”