'It's just Bedlam': OSU's Malcolm Rodriguez is preparing to face his fifth OU quarterback

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s Malcolm Rodriguez sat in the film room, his eyes locked in on the dynamic OU quarterback who he had never faced before.

That sentence could’ve been written about Rodriguez any Bedlam week since 2017.

That year, Rodriguez was a true freshman backup safety and the OU quarterback was eventual Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield.

“Coaches were on everybody, making sure everyone was perfect in their gaps,” Rodriguez said of that week’s preparation. “It was through the roof, the excitement, knowing it was a big game.”

On Saturday night, Rodriguez will take the field opposite OU’s true freshman phenom, Caleb Williams — the fifth Sooner quarterback Rodriguez will have played against in his career, spanning from Mayfield to Kyler Murray to Jalen Hurts to Spencer Rattler and now Williams.

The 10th-ranked Sooners visit Boone Pickens Stadium to take on No. 7 OSU at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in what will be the final home game of Rodriguez’s career.

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While the Bedlam rivalry has presented a new quarterback for Rodriguez to study each year, the OU offense offers some similarities from season to season.

“They pretty much run the same plays,” Rodriguez said. “They just disguise it differently every year, so it’s one of those things that you gotta be in the film room studying those plays.

“(Williams) is definitely a runner, so you gotta take into account his style of play. We gotta have a good gameplan set and be ready to go.”

Each of the five quarterbacks Rodriguez will have faced present challenges unique to themselves. Williams adds his own layer, combining size, speed, a strong arm and a fearless attitude.

Williams is completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 1,418 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions, having taken over the starting job in early October. He’s averaging 7.0 yards per rush, which is impressive, considering he has minus-100 yards in sacks impacting his total.

“He’s very explosive,” Rodriguez said. “Some plays, he can be hard to take down. He has a little spin move, a little stiff-arm. He’s one of those ones where he’s a big threat to make a big play when he’s scrambling.”

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OSU coach Mike Gundy sees a unique player in Williams, compared to previous OU quarterbacks.

“I don’t think any of those guys fit the mold that he’s from,” Gundy said. “He’s a special talent. He can run around and throw the ball. He’s kind of like Nolan Ryan in football. He can fire it downfield from about any release. He’s very agile and elusive, faster than what he looks, because he takes big strides. And he’s willing to just chunk it down the field and try to make plays. He’s very athletic.”

Historically in the Gundy era, mobile quarterbacks have been an issue for the OSU defense, but this year’s group has contained them much better.

“We’ve faced some quarterbacks that have similar qualities this year,” Gundy said. “I’m not sure that they all have the same package that he has at once. But we’ve faced some guys that move around well in the pocket, can throw it and get out and cause some problems, and that’s what he’s done.”

Rodriguez has been a key piece in helping contain mobile quarterbacks as the Cowboys’ leader in tackles with 96. And he has played well against the Sooners throughout his career. He didn’t have a tackle in his first Bedlam in 2017, but since moving into the starting lineup in 2018, he has averaged 11.3 tackles per game against OU.

Rodriguez, who has yet to be part of a Bedlam victory, knows what type of atmosphere to expect on Saturday night.

“It’s just the same every year,” Rodriguez said. “It’s always Bedlam. It’s always gonna be high-energy, high-enthusiasm for each team. It’s one of those things. You’re used to it. Fifth year. It’s just Bedlam.”

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU football: Malcolm Rodriguez set to face fifth Sooners QB in Bedlam