Fiesta is Blackmon's OSU finale; Weeden plays golf

The Fiesta Bowl will be Justin Blackmon's last game as an Oklahoma State football player.
Blackmon indicated he would turn pro about a month ago, but had wavered some in the week leading up the the Dec. 3 Bedlam game.
Thursday, he said he would definitely go pro after Oklahoma State plays Stanford on Monday.
"I chose to come back this year to better myself and try to make myself better for the next level. I did that. I think it's time after this game to move on and see what else is out there," Blackmon said.
Blackmon and Weeden returned for the 2011 season to help Oklahoma State beat Oklahoma, win a Big 12 title and go to a BCS bowl.
Mission accomplished
"The fact that we did it and we're here playing in a BCS bowl is the icing on the cake," Blackmon said.
The opportunity to play in a BCS bowl game is one of the reasons Weeden returned to OSU.
"We wanted to go to a BCS game. That was one of the things we talked about, and we were able to accomplish it," he said.
Weeden said he and Blackmon performed well this season and helped put OSU in a position to play in the Fiesta Bowl
"Everything we were able to set aside, we were able to accomplish," Weeden said.
Weeden also was able to accomplish a little fun during his down time in Phoenix. He got in 11 holes of golf at a Phoenix-area resort.
"I hit one of the best shots I've ever hit on a par 3," Weeden said. "It was 214 yards and I hit a low 5-iron punch draw to within three feet. I made the putt for birdie. If I'd missed the putt, I would have been pretty ticked off."

Luck, Weeden happy with their choices

No surprises in Arizona.
Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden wouldn't want to switch offenses.
"I love the offense I'm in," Luck said. "I feel very happy. I don't daydream too much about that."
Weeden likes the spread offense. It allows him to orchestrate one of the highest output offenses in the nation.
He does wonder what it would be like to direct a huddle, though. It would allow him to show his leadership skills.
Luck has set five school records in the NFL-style offense that Stanford employs. Weeden owns 19 school records using OSU's version of the spread offense.
Opposing coaches and players respect their abilities and more importantly their own coaches wouldn't exchange them for any quarterback playing major college football.
Luck and Weeden will be drafted by the NFL.
Luck, likely, will be the first player taken in April's NFL Draft. Weeden is projected to go in the late second or third round.
Luck said he isn't overly concerned about which NFL team drafts him. He doesn't have any control over which team will have the first pick. It will either be the Indianapolis Colts or the St. Louis Rams depending on this weekend's NFL outcomes.
"Wherever I land will be great. I am not rooting for one team to win or lose or whatever. ... Wherever I end up, I'm sure it will be the best spot for me."
How do these two rate, statistically?
Luck passed for 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns. He completed 261 of his 373 attempts with 9 interceptions. It's a 70 percent completion percentage.
Weeden passed for 4,328 yards and 34 touchdowns. He completed 279 of his 522 attempt with 12 interceptions. It's a 72.3 percent completion percentage.
Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Bill Young called Luck the total package.
"He runs out of the pocket. He is a patient guy. Obviously, he is a very, very intelligent guy. That's why he is predicted to be the first guy in the draft. Great player."
Oklahoma State cornerback Brodrick Brown faces Weeden's passes in every practice.
"Our quarterback, he can make the same throws that Andrew Luck can," Brown said. "It is no different."
It's difficult to predict how college quarterbacks will make the transition to the NFL. Many Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks languish in the NFL -- think Gino Torreta, Chris Weinke, Matt Leinart.
While some lower round draft picks excel. Think Drew Brees.
Personally, Luck and Weeden have the arms, intelligence and attitude to make it big in the NFL.

More on East Carolina

Miscues hurt East Carolina's offense in the first half, and ECU's defense is tired in the second half as Maryland jumps out to a 29-10 lead. East Carolina's offense resembles Oklahoma State's offense, but the Pirates look much slower than OSU's athletes. Also, East Carolina doesn't have a running back like Kendall Hunter, but few teams do. East Carolina runs a lot of passes over the middle, screens and some passes downfield.
East Carolina's offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley is 27-years old. He's younger than OSU's starting quarterback Brandon Weeden.