Next Man Up Approach as Cowboys Open Conference Play

WATCH: Gundy Addresses Media

STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team opened its 2020 season with a come from behind victory over Tulsa. As the Cowboys prepare for West Virginia on Saturday, a next man up approach is needed, especially at quarterback after Spencer Sanders left the game in the first quarter and didn't return.

"I feel good about the confidence in our team," head coach Mike Gundy said. "We are very fortunate we have a lot of depth and maturity on defense. Depending on where we're at with Spencer we will learn a lot more on Tuesday, but we've had guys in his situation with a mild injury come out of the boot and do well and play and then we've had guys who weren't able to play. You know the old coach's saying 'the next guy has to step up and play' is what has to happen here."

Sanders led the Cowboys on a 17 play, 74 yard opening drive that resulted in a field goal, but was injured on the next possession. The OSU offense stalled until freshman quarterback Shane Illingworth took over late in the third quarter.

"I thought he was composed and executed very well," Gundy said of Illingworth. "I don't know if we could have asked him to do more than what he did so we were pleased with his play."

With Sanders' status for West Virginia uncertain, Gundy said three quarterbacks will get snaps in practice before a starter is determined.

While Sanders' injury caught the bulk of the attention Saturday, the offensive line also dealt with injury problems. Gundy said some of the shuffling that came as a result may have had a negative influence on the group's overall performance against the Golden Hurricane.

"We have to be smart with our schemes and concepts and get guys in the right spot before we start practice on Tuesday," Gundy said. "We can't play musical chairs and hopefully we can keep them healthy and play. Tuesday and Wednesday's practices are very important and we have to get a lot of reps because we have some new guys in there."

In addition to the game itself, Saturday's matchup against West Virginia will have a special element to it as Oklahoma State is honoring Thurman Thomas by inducting him as the first member of the Oklahoma State football ring of honor. Mike Gundy had high praise for Oklahoma State's all-time rushing leader, who he played with for two seasons.

"He's obviously an NFL Hall of Famer; there's only so many of those guys walking around," Gundy said. "He tears his knee up in the spring before the season playing basketball and then comes back with a brace and plays on it and continues to practice on it. If the young people who play the game today understood watching him practice, then they would be much different in their approach to the game. He went 100 percent all the time and that is really what his legacy is around here and then obviously he is an NFL Hall of Famer."

OSU will wear special throwback uniforms to honor Thomas during Saturday's Big 12 opener against West Virginia, which is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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Shane Illingworth

Spencer Sanders

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