 "Photo: Zach Gray/O’Collegian")
As sophomore tight end Wilson Youman came down with a 22-yard touchdown reception against Baylor, the only person in the stadium not surprised with the result was the man holding the ball.
“I have to always expect the ball,” Youman said. “And when he threw it in the air I knew it was coming to me and I had to bring it down and catch it and make the play.
“It felt really good to catch the ball and score a touchdown especially because it had been a long time since a tight end caught a touchdown.“
Even more surprising, was in the third quarter when redshirt freshman tight end Cooper Bassett caught a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The surprise factor is the result of the time that has passed since a tight end has caught a pass for a touchdown.
Brandon Pettigrew’s touchdown reception against Texas in 2007 was the last time a Cowboy tight end scored.
Offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said Bassett and Youman will earn more looks if they continue to make those types of plays.
“We’ll keep using those guys if they keep doing what they’re supposed to do,” Brewer said.
Brewer said he was especially impressed with Bassett’s effort, for the passes were not the easiest to handle.
“Because of the fact of the game and the catches they were,” Brewer said. “They weren’t just you know ‘run out in the flat and we’ll dump the ball to you.’ It was a case where he was taking a hit and some things had to happen.”
Bassett said the tight ends are in the game plan every week, but it depends on how the opposing defense plays it.
“This weekend the defense allowed the tight ends to be open and Zac (Robinson) read it great and capitalized on it,” Bassett said.
Bassett said it was a relief that he caught both passes, for if he didn’t, he would have had to answer to his 15-year-old brother.
“It was funny because the first thing my little brother told me after I made that catch after the game was, ‘Coop if you would have dropped that first one, then you would have screwed everything up, you’re so lucky you caught that first one or Zac would have never looked for you the rest of the year,’” Bassett said.
Luckily, Bassett appeased his brothers’ hopes and also his own, he said.
Bassett, who grew up in Tuttle as a Cowboy fan, said his touchdown catch was a special moment.
“I don’t want to sound too corny,” Bassett said. “But it was kind of like a flash of me being a little kid growing up just hoping that I could score a touchdown for OSU.”
It remains unknown whether the future opposing defenses will allow OSU’s tight ends to be open and have the opportunity to catch passes and make big plays. But they have showed that they are capable, willing and ready to do it in addition to their primary role as blockers.
Bassett said he is proud to be a blocking tight end, but getting catches are always fun.
“I came in here labeled as a blocking tight end and if that’s what sticks with me, that’s fine and I’m proud to do it. Getting catches are just kind of icing on top of the cake for me.”
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