Stanford had an NFL-ready quarterback who robotically sprayed perfect passes all over the field. But the Oklahoma State Cowboys had Justin Blackmon.

Stanford had a workhorse back who took 35 carries behind a mammoth offensive line. But the Cowboys had Justin Blackmon.

Stanford had the ball for 41:47 out of a possible 60 minutes. But the Cowboys had Justin Blackmon.

Stanford outgained OSU 590-412 and had the lead most of the game. But the Cowboys had Justin Blackmon.

And now, thanks in large part to one of the greatest wide receivers in college football history, the Cowboys also have a Fiesta Bowl championship, which marks the first BCS bowl victory in Oklahoma State history.

From Brandon Weeden’s big throws to Colton Chelf’s gritty catches to Quinn Sharp’s heroic boot, there were certainly other heroes. But let’s be real here: This win, and a good portion of this historic run, rests squarely on the shoulders of OSU’s all-world wideout.

Nursing what the team called an infected inner thigh, Blackmon did it all on Monday night.

Trailing by 14 early on, Blackmon sprung free for an easy 43-yard touchdown to jumpstart OSU’s struggling offense. Two minutes later, he snatched a quick slant, shed a Stanford defender and steamrolled for a 67-yard touchdown.

Just like that it was Stanford 14 – Justin Blackmon 14.

“He doesn’t surprise me because I’ve seen him do it so many times,” Gundy said. “To make big catches in crucial situations then make plays with ball in his hands when the other team knows he is going to do it, it is pretty amazing.”

And if Stanford had confidence that they could single cover him early on, that went away quickly. The Cardinal hadn’t given up a 100-yard receiver all season. Blackmon had 110 in the first half.

The double- and triple-teams would come. But so would the highlights.

Early in the fourth quarter, Blackmon snared another Weeden rocket and bulldozed into the endzone for the 40th and final touchdown of his illustrious Oklahoma State career.

“I did say this at the press conference three days ago,” Gundy said. “I resisted in saying he was the best wide receiver that’s played at Oklahoma State. I said it three days ago. He is, bar none.”

That statement could be construed as opinion, but here are the tangible facts.

In the past two seasons, Justin Blackmon has 232 catches, 3,304 yards, 38 touchdowns and two Biletnikoff awards.

And of all those accomplishments, the most important may have come Monday night. Blackmon was the unquestioned star of what is likely the most important win in school history.

“The win itself, you get the win with our teammates and all the seniors on the team; that was enough,” Blackmon said. “I could have had no catches and no touchdowns, as long as we won, I would have been excited.”

And he should be. After unselfishly returning for the 2011 season, Blackmon has vaulted the OSU program to elite status, skyrocketed his sparkling draft stock and left a lasting legacy.

His NFL future is bright, looking like a sure-fire top-10 pick, but OSU faithful don’t care if he bombs out of the league. What he did over the past two seasons, and what he did Monday night in Phoenix, have cemented his place in Stillwater folklore. This fanbase will never forget Justin Blackmon.

“It’s big to get this win for Oklahoma State and Stillwater,” Blackmon said. “Just glad we get to bring that trophy back.”