Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Comfortable With Quarterbacks
October 21, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team is 3-0 and ranked No. 6 in the country, but heads into its game against Iowa State in a position few would have predicted at the start of the year.
It was expected that Spencer Sanders would be putting up big numbers at this point of the season, but an injury sustained in the first quarter of the season opener forced him to the sidelines. During that time, true freshman Shane Illingworth has emerged as a productive option.
"We're glad we have two guys," head coach Mike Gundy said. "We will just continue on with what we have done. We have split the reps for a number of weeks now, so we will continue to move forward in that fashion. We might even play both guys, it just depends on where we are at."
Similar to Gundy, other members of the team have expressed confidence in both quarterbacks.
"If it's Shane or Spencer we still have to protect and trust the guy," offensive lineman Jake Springfield said. "We all have a next-man-up mentality, so we could throw anyone back there and we will be comfortable."
Being on the receiving end of the passes from two different quarterbacks could be a challenge, but All-American Tylan Wallace said it isn't difficult as long as the quarterback and receiver are in sync.
"I've spent more time with Spencer over the years, but getting those reps in with Shane, I feel I have a good understanding of how they both throw the ball and what they're going to do," Wallace said.
Both quarterbacks have produced and achieved good results on the field, but more importantly, they have both earned trust among their teammates in the locker room.
"I think with either guy who goes in there we will be able to execute no matter what," Wallace said.
It was expected that Spencer Sanders would be putting up big numbers at this point of the season, but an injury sustained in the first quarter of the season opener forced him to the sidelines. During that time, true freshman Shane Illingworth has emerged as a productive option.
"We're glad we have two guys," head coach Mike Gundy said. "We will just continue on with what we have done. We have split the reps for a number of weeks now, so we will continue to move forward in that fashion. We might even play both guys, it just depends on where we are at."
Similar to Gundy, other members of the team have expressed confidence in both quarterbacks.
"If it's Shane or Spencer we still have to protect and trust the guy," offensive lineman Jake Springfield said. "We all have a next-man-up mentality, so we could throw anyone back there and we will be comfortable."
Being on the receiving end of the passes from two different quarterbacks could be a challenge, but All-American Tylan Wallace said it isn't difficult as long as the quarterback and receiver are in sync.
"I've spent more time with Spencer over the years, but getting those reps in with Shane, I feel I have a good understanding of how they both throw the ball and what they're going to do," Wallace said.
Both quarterbacks have produced and achieved good results on the field, but more importantly, they have both earned trust among their teammates in the locker room.
"I think with either guy who goes in there we will be able to execute no matter what," Wallace said.
Players Mentioned
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