Gundy Updates Spencer Sanders’ Status during Open Week

Spencer Sanders is back to “full speed.”

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy updated his redshirt sophomore quarterback’s status at his weekly news conference Thursday morning, saying that Sanders and true freshman Shane Illingworth have split reps this week with junior college transfer Ethan Bullock working with the threes.

Gundy reiterated that Sanders could’ve played against Kansas last weekend if needed, but that it wasn’t worth the potential risk to play him on his injured ankle below 100 percent.

“If we needed to play him, he could’ve played really close to full speed,” Gundy said. “We know exactly where we’re at with him, but when you have an ankle injury, you’re always better letting it get 100 percent. You go back on it at 85 percent, you take a chance on setting it back, and then those things can become chronic for six weeks.”

In Sanders’ stead, Illingworth made his second career start against the Jayhawks and had a career day, completing 17-of-23 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Sanders has played only 18 downs this season before a high-ankle sprain took him out of OSU’s season-opening win against Tulsa.

A big part of Sanders game is his ability to use his legs. He was the Cowboys’ second-leading rusher last season, running for 628 yards. Missing Saturday’s game and having an open week this week gives Sanders more time to rejuvenate that hobbled ankle.

“Wasn’t any reason to put him in the [Kansas] game,” Gundy said. “He practiced yesterday and looked just like he did the first week in August.”