Quarterbacks improving, but no separation
STILLWATER — Another week of practice, including a 110-play, closed-door scrimmage on Sunday, provided opportunities for improvement, but no enlightening answers to Oklahoma State's quarterback question.
Senior Dru Brown and freshman Spencer Sanders continue to split time with the first-team offense, with the Cowboys' season opener at Oregon State just over two weeks away.
“Each one of those guys get a little better every day,” coach Mike Gundy said. “They get really good grades in technique and assignment and effort.”
Perhaps the biggest concern for Gundy is the fact that splitting practice time between the two players is taking away snaps from the guy who will eventually win the job.
“That started last spring,” Gundy said of his concern about limited reps. “And it doesn't go away for me. But my and (offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson's) opinion hasn't changed. If you clearly have a player that's better than the other, then you play him. If you don't, then you have to play both guys.”
On the flip side of that concern, Gundy wants to have two capable quarterbacks ready for the duration of the season. Recent history aside — in particular, Mason Rudolph's and Taylor Cornelius' senior seasons — OSU has often needed more than one quarterback to get through a season.
“I think it's two of the last seven years we've made it through with one guy,” Gundy said. “For the most part, you're probably gonna need both of them at some point.”
Dickey fitting expectation
When Gundy hired Charlie Dickey as his new offensive line coach, he had an expectation for what he wanted. So far, Dickey and the linemen are meeting it.
“We're doing a good job running the ball,” Gundy said. “I like Coach. We had a goal in mind with him, with the transition being as smooth as it is, and with him adapting to our culture here. Coaching at Oklahoma State is a little different than other places, and so sometimes, the adjustment's maybe not as easy as what people think. Coach has (provided) a real smooth transition for our team.”
Tylan Wallace on ESPN top 50
Oklahoma State receiver Tylan Wallace was named to ESPN's annual list of the top 50 college football players, released Monday.
The junior wideout was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award after catching 86 passes for 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago.
Despite his breakout sophomore season, he was the eighth receiver on the ESPN list, and the No. 27 player overall.
His reception and yardage totals are the best among returning Big 12 receivers, and as ESPN noted, Wallace “saved his best work for the biggest games, averaging 168 yards and two touchdowns in three games against top-10 teams.”