Weeden and Blackmon to Stay at Oklahoma State
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State All-America receiver Justin Blackmon and All-Big 12 quarterback Brandon Weeden will return to Oklahoma State for the 2011 football season. The two made their announcement at a Wednesday afternoon news conference on the campus.
Blackmon will be entering his redshirt junior season and Weeden is a rising senior.
“It can only make you better coming back,” Blackmon said. “I can improve throughout next year with the coaching and the strength and conditioning staff we have here. They can get me better and try to get me to my full potential.”
The 2010 season saw Blackmon named a unanimous All-American, the Biletnikoff Award winner, and he became the first receiver to be named Big 12 offensive player of the year. His 1,782 receiving yards represent a new record for a sophomore and is the sixth best season in history. Blackmon also set an record by recording 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown reception in 12 straight games. The Ardmore Plainview product caught 20 touchdown passes and his 69-yard rushing touchdown against Baylor was the longest run from scrimmage by a Cowboy in 2010.
Nationally, Blackmon led the nation with an average of 148.5 receiving yards per game. He also led the country with 20 TD catches, was second with 9.3 catches per game and finished third nationally in scoring (11 points per game).
“I’m very excited about coming back for my senior year,” Weeden said. “It’s a chance to finish what we started this season and another great opportunity to play at Oklahoma State.”
Weeden became Oklahoma State’s first all-conference quarterback of the modern era. In his first year as a starter, the Edmond product set school records with 34 touchdown passes, 4,277 passing yards and 4,209 yards of total offense. He also holds four of the top seven passing games in school history, including a record 435 yards against Baylor. His 337 passing yards per game ranked third in the in 2010 and he finished fourth nationally in TD passes. His passing efficiency rating of 154.10 led the Big 12.
“I like the way they went about the process,” said head coach Mike Gundy. “They did their homework and talked to the people that are important to them.
“It goes without saying that we are excited to have them back. Their play on the field speaks for itself. More importantly, they are the type of people you want in your locker room.”
With the return of Blackmon and Weeden, Oklahoma State will welcome back 10 starters from an offense that averaged 44.2 points and 520.2 yards per game. Both averages were third nationally. Overall, will return 17 starters from the first 11-win team in school history.
Updated 01-12-2011
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