Sanders' confidence has improved because of those around him
Self-confidence has never been an issue of concern for Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders. It's part of what fuels his ultra-competitive nature.
But as he prepares for the start of his sophomore season on Saturday, Sanders feels more confidence.
“I wouldn't take it so much as confidence in myself, it's just the guys giving me a lot of confidence,” Sanders said. “They're always encouraging me and helping me and I'm getting better every day.
“Really, I could say that my confidence is up to a whole other level because of the guys around me. It's not because of me, it's because of them. I can honestly say they've brought the best player out of me possible that I think is ready for the season.”
This preseason, Sanders also has credited his growth to his strong relationship with new quarterback coach Tim Rattay.
Rattay will be on the sidelines during games this season, which will be a change for Sanders. Last year, Sean Gleeson was both the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, and he was upstairs in the booth during games.
This year, new offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn will be upstairs. Rattay will have direct access to Sanders on the sideline.
“I think he can get in my tail a
lot easier,” Sanders joked. “But I think it'll help me.
“Think about maybe when you were a kid and your mom was chewing you over a phone call, you can hold it out over here, you can just play it off. But when it's in your face, it's like, `OK, here we go. Bring it on.'”
After rehabbing in pandemic, Harvell-Peel ready for action
Rehabbing a torn ACL is hard enough, but Oklahoma State safety Kolby Harvell-Peel had to do it through the coronavirus pandemic.
Having suffered the injury at the end of the Bedlam game in late November, Harvell-Peel was in the middle of his rehabilitation when the pandemic hit, so he was on his own at home.
“I was just trying to make sure that I was staying up to date with my rehab and where I was supposed to be at,” Harvell-Peel said. “I went fullspeed the first day of camp and every day since then, I've been feeling better and better, more like myself. I'm ready to roll on Saturday.”
Coaches worked to protect Harvell-Peel — who was named the team's defensive MVP last season — during some of the early contact periods of preseason camp.
“It was more gradual,” Harvell-Peel said. “The first live scrimmage, I wasn't out there tackling. But by the end of camp, I was starting to really fly around and felt like I was making plays the same way I
always have.”
He removed his knee brace about halfway through camp.
“There was a practice that was a pretty light day, so I started doing (individual drills) without my brace,” he said. “I started getting more movement and making sure I felt secure with it.
“I definitely feel like I can move a little better without it.”
Tulsa offense a multi-pronged threat
For all the excitement floating around about the Oklahoma State defense, it should get a moderately thorough test in the season opener against Tulsa at 11 a.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium.
Tulsa has a returning starter at quarterback for the first time since 2016. Zach Smith threw for 3,279 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.
He's got a 1,000-yard rusher in Shamari Brooks, and another impact running back in Corey Taylor to provide a ground threat.
And 1,000- yard receiver Keylon Stokes leads a deep group of options for Smith to throw to.
“They've got wide receivers that can go up and get the ball,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “They put them in the inside slot position and they do a nice job with play-pass and doublemoves and such. I would expect them to attack us in that area.”