The Cowboys came out chunking Saturday, from their very first play, and kept pumping deep throws at Pitt's defensive backs.
While the approach appeared extreme at times, the results revealed it was the right plan for the Panthers. Mason Rudolph set a single-game school record with 540 passing yards in the 45-38 win. It was also the most passing yards ever against Pitt — by 89 yards.
OSU coaches devised the plan during the week, playing off the Panthers' front-loaded defense, the scheme preferred by head coach Pat Narduzzi since his days as defensive coordinator at Michigan State.