Yes, he can point to Sanders all he wants but if his defense can't stop or slow down Spencer talk is just that, TALK!!!
Photo by Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma State Football
Brent Venables Has To Be Pointing at Sanders as a Key for His Defense
STILLWATER – Much like Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy was asked on Monday about his Bedlam memories and the moment most examined was the 1986 game with Gundy as a freshman quarterback facing Brian Bosworth and the Sooners. OU head coach Brent Venables played collegiately at Kansas State, so there was no playing moment for him in Bedlam. His 2009 defense did a number on Oklahoma State and that ended up being the most discussed moment in his Tuesday news conference.
Des Moines Register-USA TODAY Sports
Venables in an emotional moment at Iowa State.
Venables did keep pushing the compliments out to Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders. Venables sees on video what we have seen all season. Oklahoma State is a different team, offense, defense, complete when Sanders is playing quarterback.
"Spencer Sanders, I think he started 52-ish or so games in high school as a quarterback and I think this is his 41st in college. I bet he’s a top-10er for sure,” Venables said of Sanders’ experience. “Can I say that, top-10er? I can if I want, but it's not appropriate, so top 10."
"Who has 90-some starts as a quarterback? Incredibly experienced, he’s a winner, he’s instinctive,” added Venables. “He’s fast, he’s explosive, got a quick release. He’s got a lot of moxie. You can tell he’s played a lot of football. The team rallies behind him, plays off of his leadership and his energy."
Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer
Be careful about encouraging Sanders to take off and run.
While Oklahoma State has struggled rushing the football and they ninth in the Big 12 in rushing the ball in conference action with only Iowa State behind them. However, Sanders makes a difference with his legs.
"Sometimes the worst thing you can do is cover everybody because he can really run.,” Venables said. “He’s a true dual-threat guy and they’ve got designed quarterback runs for him. They do a really god job of moving the launch point. He makes all the throws, excellent player."
He complimented the offense overall with their scoring, which has come down dramatically in the past three games. He also observed that Sanders must be passing some of Mike Gundy’s records including most wins as a starting quarterback. Gundy was 28-14 and Sanders is currently 32-11.
"He’s two wins shy for the most victories as the starting quarterback, I guess that means he beat Mike Gundy’s record at some time, huh? So that’s good," Venables theorized.
Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer
Praise fot the Oklahoma State defense too.
"Defensively, they lead the Big 12 in third-down defense, and they’re 11th in the country in tackles for loss per game so they’ve been disruptive,” he continued with praise for the OSU defense. “They had a tremendous year defensively last year, a lot of those same guys returning. They do have confidence; I know they’re banged up a little bit. Top to bottom I think they have belief in what they do, and they had a great win, forced five turnovers against Iowa State last week. So, it's going to be a great challenge, this game you always never know how it's going to go, throw the records out as we all know."
What might make Oklahoma State fans feel a little better is their Cowboys would never have gotten that kind of praise out of Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, or even Lincoln Riley.
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