STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -Zac Robinson had been the rock for No. 18 Oklahoma State through a string of injuries and the loss of All-America receiver Dez Bryant because of a violation of NCAA rules.
When Robinson struggled to perhaps the worst game of his college career as the Cowboys (6-2, 3-1) got their chance to take the lead in the Big 12 South, his teammates weren't about to let him shoulder the blame.
Robinson threw a career-high four interceptions in a 41-14 loss to Texas on Saturday that greatly diminishes Oklahoma State's chances at playing in the conference title game for the first time. Two of the picks were returned for touchdowns.
``It's not all his fault, even though it may seem that way just because he is the quarterback,'' receiver Justin Blackmon said Monday. ``But you've got to keep your head up, and that's what we told him after the game.''
Robinson had thrown only three interceptions before that this season and had never thrown more than two in a game. He admitted after the game that he probably should have scrambled instead of forcing himself to pass to covered receivers.
``Zac will be fine. Zac pressed. I've been there. I've done that myself, and so I have a pretty good feel for what he did,'' coach Mike Gundy said. ``We have complete confidence in his ability, and when you're a good player at any level and you don't play well, there will always be a question come up.
``He's been a proven player for us, and Zac's very stable mentally. We expect him to practice well and go compete. He just pressed. He tried to do a little bit too much and it cost him at times.''
Robinson needs only 75 yards to break Gundy's school record for passing yards this Saturday at Iowa State (5-4, 2-3). It would take the least productive passing game since he became the starter for Robinson to remain in second.
``I think any time you have a chance to do something like that it's pretty special, especially if it's the guy who's not only coaching you but the head coach and you're still here at the same time,'' offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said. ``It's pretty unique.''
The Cyclones will counter with the return of starting quarterback Austen Arnaud after a two-game absence due to a bruised hand. Iowa State went 1-1 while he was out, forcing eight turnovers in a 9-7 win at Nebraska two weeks ago.
Quarterback has been one of the few areas where Oklahoma State hasn't had injury issues. The Cowboys have been without tailback Kendall Hunter, receiver Josh Cooper, defensive end Jermiah Price, linebacker Orie Lemon and others at times. Meanwhile, Robinson has helped keep the team together, even without Bryant, who has been ruled ineligible for the season for lying to an NCAA investigator.
``All these spread offenses in this league are better served with a quarterback that's dangerous with his feet as well as with his arm, and Zac is that,'' Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said.
Brewer said different players shared the blame for each of the interceptions and he didn't think he would need to reassure Robinson, who will be making his 33rd career start, after the poor performance.
``I would say that if Zac was a freshman and this was early in his career, without the maturity factor, that that could be a concern,'' Brewer said. ``But where he is, obviously you go in and correct the mistakes and you see what they did secondarily - what they did and then what we can do to correct it.''
Texas cornerback Curtis Brown outmuscled transfer Dameron Fooks and beat him to the ball for Robinson's first interception, then returned it up the sideline 77 yards for a touchdown. Safety Earl Thomas had the second pick, zipping in front of Hubert Anyiam and going untouched on a 31-yard return for another score.
Blake Gideon had the third pick while playing deep down the middle, and Chykie Brown made the fourth interception on a fourth-down jump ball at the 2-yard line.
``I'm not going to point fingers at anybody,'' offensive tackle Brady Bond. ``I know as an offensive lineman that we made some mistakes that probably forced his hand and made him rush some passes there. Later in the game, I don't know what was going on. Maybe he was trying to get some points on the board.
``Either way, we win as a team and lose as a team. There's no one individual that cost us that game.''
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AP freelance writer Chuck Schoffner in Ames, Iowa contributed to this report.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
