MOBILE, Ala. -- Mason Rudolph passed for 335 yards and three touchdowns, ran for a score and broke Oklahoma State's career passing park in the No. 11 Cowboys' 44-7 victory over South Alabama on Friday night.
Rudolph broke Brandon Weeden's mark of 9,260 yards it late in the second quarter, and finished the night with 9,352. He completed 25 of 38 passes for the Cowboys (2-0) before heading to the sideline late in the third quarter. The 6-foot-5 senior has accounted for eight touchdowns in two games.
Oklahoma State's defense also throttled the Sun Belt Conference's Jaguars (0-2), who lost starting quarterback Cole Garvin to a right ankle injury after one series.
The Cowboys outgained South Alabama 505-175 in total yards and carried a shutout into the final five minutes.
Rudolph completed a 66-yard touchdown pass on a short slant pass-and-run to James Washington and connected on scoring strikes of 4 and 20 yards to Marcell Ateman.
Justin Phillips scored on a 25-yard interception return off a deflection by lineman Darrion Daniels.
The Cowboys' offense didn't quite match its 640-yard, 59-point performance against Tulsa, but the defense handled South Alabama most of the way. It didn't matter much that leading rusher Justice Hill had a quiet night with 27 yards on 11 carries. The Cowboys held South Alabama to 1-of-10 on third down conversions.
South Alabama as allowed nearly 800 passing yards against Mississippi and Oklahoma State. Backup quarterback Dallas Davis, a 10-game starter last season, completed 13 of 23 passes for 126 yards. He hit Maaseiah Francis for a late 17-yard touchdown.
Sports on 09/09/2017