How OSU Could Use Spencer Sanders as a Package Quarterback

Fans and media alike have been clamoring for a quarterback change for weeks, but head coach Mike Gundy has stayed adamant that Taylor Cornelius is their best option at quarterback. Even if that’s the case, there’s no reason the Cowboys shouldn’t at least experiment with using one of their backups in a package role.

Dru Brown probably wouldn’t be the logical choice, as he was more of a scramble-to-throw type player at Hawaii as opposed to a true runner. But freshman Spencer Sanders would make a lot of sense as a package quarterback, especially during a time when OSU has been struggling to score and move the ball consistently.

Sanders ran for over 2,400 yards and 34 touchdowns in his final two years at Denton Ryan. They used Sanders’ feet quite a bit, whether it be on trick plays:

Quarterback wraps or designed runs:

And sweeps in short-yardage packages:

Using package quarterbacks is precedented at OSU, as J.W. Walsh ran for 13 rushing touchdowns as a package quarterback in 2015. If Sanders were used in a package, though, it would probably be option-based (opposed to how Walsh was used with gap schemes and the quarterback power).

If Sanders is truly not as polished as Cornelius as a passer, that’s fine. But there’s no reason why they shouldn’t use him if he’s as an electric of an athlete he was in high school. The NCAA has gifted teams this four-game redshirt exception, so the Cowboys might as well use it. Additionally, they already have plays and packages in their offense that they ran last week that could easily be used with Sanders.

For example, a full-house option:

A split zone read with a counter motion:

And triple option with a bubble:

Not only would it (ideally) provide the offense a spark, but it would also give Sanders some playing time, keep Cornelius as the starter and give opposing defenses another look to prepare for.

You would still have to abide by the redshirt rules and only use him in four of the next (hopefully) six games, but the good news is the opponent wouldn’t know which games you intend to use or not use him. At this point, and with the struggles the offense has had, there’s no downside to trying it out. But whether Gundy and the coaching staff actually decide to use him is yet to be seen.