'Just gonna keep rocking': OSU's Spencer Sanders returns to Lubbock a different quarterback
Scott WrightOklahoman
LUBBOCK, Texas — The two tales of Spencer Sanders’ career intertwine on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
The Oklahoma State quarterback, now a redshirt junior, has arrived at a point in his career where consistency no longer eludes him. He’s playing with confidence, calmness and crisp decision-making.
Two years ago in Lubbock, he was far from that being that player.
Then a redshirt freshman, Sanders committed five turnovers — three interceptions and two fumbles — and the Cowboys lost 45-35 in a game they were favored to win.
OSU can afford no such letdown this time around, with a berth in the Big 12 championship game potentially on the line, and the ninth-ranked Pokes’ College Football Playoff chances hanging by a thread.
OSU faces Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Saturday needing the latest version of Sanders commanding the offense.
The Cowboys need the Sanders who has thrown two interceptions in the last five games, not the one who threw three picks against Baylor on Oct. 2, or the one who threw 19 in the first two years of his career.
OSU coach Mike Gundy says you can see Sanders’ developing maturity in the plays he doesn’t try to make.
“I think he’s made good decisions,” Gundy said. “At times, he throws the ball away or tucks it and runs. Quarterbacks have to learn that we don’t have to have a positive play every time we call a play. Sometimes it’s OK to throw it away and end up in second-and-10, or sometimes, it’s even OK to take a sack.
“He’s getting a better feel for that, in my opinion, as this year has progressed.”
In the last five games, Sanders has completed 84 of 131 pass attempts (64.1 percent) for 977 yards with nine touchdowns. He has rushed for 173 yards and two TDs.
“We’re also protecting him better,” Gundy said. “We’ve protected him better in the last four weeks than we did in the first four weeks, and that’s why he’s playing better.”
Sanders is in his second season working under quarterback coach Tim Rattay after going through changes at quarterback coach each of Sanders’ first three years on campus. That consistency in the voice he hears on the sideline and in practice is showing up in the form of more consistent play on the field.
“I think he has a really good working relationship with Coach Rattay,” Gundy said. “The quarterback position is a little different in the relationship with the coach, and I think they’re comfortable working together.
“They have their communication at practice and things, and I think that’s benefited him.”
Sanders has had outside influences affecting his ability to perform earlier this season, from offensive line struggles to injuries at receiver. But the team is sensing Sanders’ comfort and confidence now.
“I think it’s obvious, not only in the games, but in practice,” junior right guard Hunter Woodard said. “He’s making smarter decisions, just like he does in the game. I think he worked really hard on it this offseason and spring and August, and no doubt, it’s showing up in the games. He’s playing great.”
As intensely competitive as he is, Sanders remains humble when talking about himself.
“Just going with whatever the coaches teach me,” he said when asked about his personal progression. “I just listen to them and stay within their rules. I know they’re not gonna teach me wrong. Coach Rattay has done nothing but do me right, so I’m just gonna keep believing in him, and just gonna keep rocking.”
