At Midseason, Justin Blackmon on Record-Setting Pace

The sophomore receiver is on pace to break every receiving record in the Oklahoma State record book.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:59 am

By: News On 6

At Midseason, Justin Blackmon on Record-Setting Pace

Originally Published: Oct 19, 2010 9:48 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- It's safe to say Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is having a breakout season.

His freshman season, Blackmon had just 20 receptions, 260 yards and two touchdowns and was expected to be just one of many in the receiver-heavy offense. After six games in 2010, he leads the nation in receiving yards per game and is second in receptions per game, and his teammates aren’t surprised at his dynamic season.

“[Blackmon] has always had those tools and the ability to get the ball, I think he’s just worked hard and understood what this offense is all about,” quarterback Brandon Weedensaid. “He knows this offense inside and out. He’s very smart and he’s able to have a feel for what they’re trying to do to him on the defensive side and that makes it easy for us.”

Blackmon is not just outdoing his contemporaries; he is on the verge of rewriting the Oklahoma State record books. Through six games, his 57 receptions, 955 yards and 12 touchdowns are also higher totals than Dez Bryant’s All-American season in 2008 and Rashaun Woods’ record-setting 2002 season.

His three season-high receiving performances rank eighth, ninth and 15th in Oklahoma State single-game records.

If he keeps his current pace, he will set OSU’s season marks for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and take his place among the Cowboys' greatest receivers.

“He’s special,” Weeden said. “You watch tape and it looks like he’s jogging and then all of a sudden he’s exploding and he’s running past guys. He has a feel for it and knows how to play football.”

To the coaches, it’s not just Blackmon’s talent that is allowing him to rewrite Oklahoma State football history.

“He’s working hard, he learned what to do and he’s developed a rapport with Brandon that’s irreplaceable,” said offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. “He’s bought into what we’re doing offensively, he works his tail off and it’s just working for him.”

t Despite being easily one of college football’s top receivers, the numbers don’t really affect him.

"I just try to go out there and do the best I can and if [setting records] happens, it happens,” Blackmon said.