Marcell Ateman snares a ridiculous catch to help Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech
With college basketball season now officially open, it’s clear Oklahoma State might want to ask wide out Marcel Ateman to become a two-sport athlete.
Surely it could use someone who can go up for jump balls the way OSU’s wide out did against Texas Tech in a thrilling 41-34 victory in Lubbock.
After the Red Raiders clawed their way back to tie the game at 34, No. 15 Oklahoma State put together a stellar drive with just more than two minutes remaining to take a seven-point lead. None of that would have been possible without the efforts of Ateman on third-and-five with the Cowboys near midfield.
If we’re being honest, Ateman would probably get called for going over the back of his defender here, but then again he’s not on the basketball team just yet. The catch itself is only half of what makes this so impressive. Ateman’s ability to pull the ball in while flipping over on his back is crucial. In a tight road game, if that ball touches the ground at all there likely would’ve been a lengthy review that halted OSU’s momentum.
Instead quarterback Mason Rudolph got the team back up to the line of scrimmage and needed only two more plays before he took off on a 16-yard touchdown run that proved to be the game-winner.
It certainly didn’t need to come to this. With OSU nursing a 34-20 lead in the second half. Still Texas Tech’s offense had to strike at some point. The Red Raiders took advantage of a Cowboys’ missed field goal attempt and put together a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter. That’s when it began to feel like OSU’s playoff dreams were about to end.
At least that’s how it felt before Ateman’s catch. He finished the day with six receptions for 114 yards, none bigger than his 26-yard haul at midfield to give Oklahoma State the surge it needed to walk out of Lubbock with a win.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Schustee
