OSU's Reid: Vince Young 2.0?

OSU quarterback Bobby Reid has made a quantum leap in the mental aspects of playing quarterback. Three plays from the Cowboys’ 41-29 win over Nebraska – all in the second quarter – illustrate his progress.

OSU trailed 16-0 in the second quarter when Reid ignited the offense. He did it with an improvisation. On second-and-7 from the OSU 23, Reid looked to pass downfield. Finding no one open, he bolted from the pocket and raced down the sidelines. The 56-yard gain set up OSU’s first touchdown

On third-and-5 from the Nebraska 16, Reid correctly read a blitz from the Huskers’ safety.

Even as an outside linebacker charged toward him, Reid flicked a pass to tailback Keith Toston, who was open on a vertical route just where the safety would have been. The touchdown pulled OSU within 16-6 with 8:12 left in the first half.

“He saw the blitz coming, and he knew where to go with the ball,” OSU offensive coordinator Larry Fedora said.

With less than a minute left, OSU took possession at the Nebraska 45, trailing 23-13. The Cowboys took their time getting set up for a play — burning 20 seconds from the clock and drawing murmurs from the crowd.

Fedora said the slow start was his fault, that he didn’t get a play signaled in quickly enough. But Reid calmly kept his teammates relaxed. And then, with everyone set, he drilled “a rope,” Fedora said, about 35 yards downfield to Adarius Bowman, who shook off one defender and trotted into the end zone for a touchdown.

By George Schroeder

Coach talk
Here’s what coaches are saying about Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid, who’s long been compared to former Texas quarterback Vince Young:

“Bobby is not only a great athlete. He’s a clutch performer. Bobby’s not a high anxiety guy. He’s not a worrier. I think that the great players that have that quiet confidence, they don’t worry about the horse going blind. They just keep loading the wagon."

“Bobby’s got all the stuff that you start with. He’s tall. He’s fast. He’s strong. He’s got the strong arm, and he’s just gained so much confidence.”

“That last year Vince was there, he made some tremendous decisions with the ball. Bobby’s just starting to feel his way along. Now, he’s comfortable. He knows what’s happening. He’s able to dictate now sometimes what he wants to happen. The thing is, he’s just a sophomore. If he keeps improving at this rate, there’s no telling how good he can be.”