Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oklahoma State Football: Spencer Sanders harnessing his gunslinger game

By Collin Wieder

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Defensive lineman Devin Drew #90 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders sacks quarterback Spencer Sander #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half of the college football game at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Defensive lineman Devin Drew #90 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders sacks quarterback Spencer Sander #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half of the college football game at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys scores a touchdown on a 37-yard keeper against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys won ‘Bedlam’ 37-33. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys scores a touchdown on a 37-yard keeper against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys won ‘Bedlam’ 37-33. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

2. He’s using his wheels

As athletically gifted as Spencer Sanders was coming into college, he hadn’t really shown off his high-end rushing ability on a consistent basis. In fact, he rushed for just 269 yards and two touchdowns in 2020, after rushing for more than 600 yards as a freshman in 2019.

The junior signal-caller has definitely become more aggressive on the ground this year than last. Sanders is providing a tremendous second punch to star running back Jaylen Warren, rushing for 510 yards and six touchdowns this year, which are both second on the team.

His addition on the ground makes OSU’s offense a lot more dangerous. For one, opposing defenses are forced to account for him on zone-read plays, because he is capable of breaking one into the open field, should he keep it.

It also forces defenders to choose whether to play the pass when he drops back and scrambles or to come up, if he takes off and runs. Although he’s always been a solid scrambler, this season he’s created a scary combo alongside Warren, as the duo has rushed for nearly 1,750 combined yards.

Home/Oklahoma State Cowboys