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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11.2005
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KU Blitz
AT A GLANCE
LAST TIME OUT
Kansas enters the game on a two-game win streak, which has revitalized its once downward-spiraling season. Kansas now needs just one victory to make it to the postseason. Kansas has one more game after Texas against Iowa State at Memorial Stadium.
Kansas vs. Texas
Kansas ended the 36-year losing streak to Nebraska in a dominating 40-15 victory last week. Kansas produced touchdowns from all its offense, defense and special teams in the game. The Jayhawks also had two 100-yard rushers and a 100-yard receiver for the first time since 1980.
Jason Swanson will be tested by the Texas defense every second Kansas has the ball. Mangino said the Longhorns' secondary was so good that its players could make mistakes and still recover from them to make great plays. Every mistake Swanson makes will be magnified, and he has to play a mistake-free game for the Jayhawks to have any chance of victory.
PLAYER TO WATCH
5 QUICK FACTS
5 National rank for Kansas in total defense.
1 National rank of the Kansas rushing defense.
1
421 Kansas rushing yards in the last two games.
2
2 Non-offensive touchdowns scored by Kansas last week.
LOOKING FORWARD
- One victory is all Kansas needs to qualify for its bowl game. While a victory in tomorrow's game against Texas may seem unlikely, its Nov. 26 match-up with Iowa State certainly looks like a possible victory.
2:30 p.m, Saturday, Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium
KEY TO VICTORY
- Contain junior quarterback
Vince Young. Kansas
may take a similar approach to containing Young as it did with Missouri quarterback Brad Smith on Oct. 29. If Kansas can force Young out of the pocket where the Kansas linebackers are waiting, Kansas may be able to neutralize his running ability.
Kansas
OFFENSE
The Kansas offense had its most dominating performance last week against Nebraska. The Jayhawks accumulated 428 yards of total
offense, and had two 100-yard rushers and a 100-yard receiver. Kansas will look to continue that solid performance against one of the nation's best defenses in Texas. Senior quarterback Jason Swanson could be the most critical part of Kansas' offense. Swanson needs to manage the game and keep the clock running to keep Texas quarterback Vince Young off the field.
DEFENSE
Kansas must stop Young to have a shot. It will not be an easy task to stop the Heisman Trophy candidate. Young is a better player since last year when Kansas played Texas. Kansas could take a similar defensive approach like the one it had against Missouri, where the unit shut down versatile quarterback Brad Smith. Kansas was able to put pressure on Smith from the defensive line while the linebackers waited for the dual-threat quarterback. Young is a bigger challenge, but expect the nation's top rushing defense to be prepared for Young and Texas.
SPECIALTEAMS
The special teams returned to the form they displayed during the beginning of the season last week. Senior cornerback Ronnie Amadi blocked a punt, which was returned by linebacker Darren Rus for the special teams' first touchdown of the season. The only blunders the unit had last week were a few long Nebraska kickoff returns. Sophomore place kicker Scott Webb has missed only two attempts. Sophomore punter Kyle Tucker is averaging 43 yards per punt. The Jayhawks will have to have no errors on special teams if they want to compete with the Longhorns.
COACHES
Kansas football coach Mark Mangino has pulled off back-to-back victories against Missouri and Nebraska. If he can beat Texas, Kansas will become bowl eli-
gone for the second time under Mangino. Certainly, Mangino has thoughts about Texas's comeback victory at Memorial Stadium and would like nothing better than to end its national title hopes. He will need to coach a flawless game for this to happen.
DEFENSE
Texas enters Saturday's game with one of the best offenses in the country. The unit is ranked first in the conference and second in the country in scoring offense, averaging nearly 50 points a game. Junior quarterback Vince Young leads the offense.Young has been tapped a Heisman Trophy contender by several media outlets this season and has been giving opposing defenses fits all year long. Young is second in the conference and eighth in the country in total offense. He is averaging 323 yards a game.Young has rushed for 778 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Young struggled last season when passing the ball, but has improved this season throwing for 237 yards a game and 18 touchdowns. Joining Young in the backfield is freshman running back Jamaal Charles. Charles has been hampered by a leg injury, but has still managed to rush for 702 yards and eight touchdowns this season
Texas is led by a trio of seniors on defense. Aaron Harris is the heart and soul of the unit, playing linebacker. Harris is a Butkus Award Semi-Finalist. The award goes to the top collegiate linebacker in the country. Harris ranks 14th in the conference with 67 tackles and has four sacks. Another senior, Michael Huff, anchors the secondary for Texas. Huff has 57 tackles and is a Jim Thorpe Award Semi-Finalist, given to the nation's top defensive back. Huff has an interception on the season and has 12 pass break-ups. The other senior is defensive tackle Rodrigue Wright. Wright was a preseason All-American and has lived up to the billing this season. Wright is second on the team with 10 tackles for loss and has 12 quarterback pressures. Wright only has 2.5 sacks, but draws double teams often from the opposing offense
SPECIALTEAMS
ties for Texas this weekend. He is 9-11 on the season and his long is 45 yards. Pino has missed four extra points this season, though. Richmond McGee is the team's punter. McGee averages about forty yards per punt and has kicked seven balls inside the 20-yard line. Aaron Ross is the team's punt returner and a threat to break for a touchdown. Ross averages 15
yards per return and had a 88-yard touchdown return against Missouri. Speedy Ramonce Taylor will return kicks for the Longhorns.Taylor has yet to break one for a touchdown, but he averages nearly 30 yards
UT Blitz
ATAGLANCE
Texas is coming into Saturday's game as the No. 2 team in the country. The Longhorns' biggest victory of the season came in their second game of the year, when they traveled to Ohio State and won by three points. Texas has handled every other opponent with ease this season including a 45-12 victory against Oklahoma and a 52-17 victory over then No. 10 Texas Tech.
LAST TIME OUT
It wasn't even close, the last time Texas took the field. Texas defeated Baylor 62-0 on the road. Sophomore running back/wide receiver Ramonce Taylor paced the Longhorns rushing 15 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor also caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Vince Young had a solid outing throwing for 298 yards and no interceptions. Freshman running back Jamaal Charles also had 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the day.
PLAYER TO WATCH
- This one is simple, Vince Young. Young is one of the most dangerous and exciting players in college football. Most Kansas fans remember him for his scramble on fourth down last year to beat Kansas. He is a better passer than he was last time these two teams met. He can pick a defense apart throwing or move for first downs and touchdowns. Young will most certainly be invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation later this year.
278.6
5 QUICK FACTS
70
278. 6 Texas boasts one of the best rushing offenses in the country averaging nearly 300 yards per game while Kansas' defense is allowing just 64 yards per game.
9 Victories by Texas the past eight seasons, which is just one behind Miami for best in the nation
2
14
2 Texas' rank in the BCS poll. Texas is eyeing the No.1 spot, and blowout victories help, which could be bad for Kansas.
14 Consecutive home victories by Texas, and adding to that, Saturday will be senior day at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
20
20 Different Texas players who have scored this season.
LOOKING FORWARD
A victory would put Texas on its way to the National Championship. If the Longhorns get by the Jayhawks, they will have just two games left before the National Championship. A loss would sho the world. It would destroy Texas National Championship hopes a ruin Texas' undefeated season.
KEY TO VICTORY
- It seems this is the same each week for Kansas' opponent. The run game. Something has to give this weekend, because Texas is No. 2 in rushing offen and Kansas is No. 1 in rushing defense. If Texas dominates the run game like it has all season look for it to roll. If Kansas win that battle, look for a close ga
Around the Big 12
Colorado at Iowa State
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Ames, Iowa
Writers: Armes, Louis
If Colorado can beat Iowa State on the road,
it would ensure another Big 12 North Championship for the Buffaloes. Colorado enters
the game with only one conference loss —
to Texas — and can earn another shot at
Texas with a victory this weekend. The only
team that can prevent Colorado from winning back-to-back division championships is Iowa State. Iowa State would have to win its remaining two games and Colorado would have to lose its final two.
Baylor at Missouri
BY DANIEL BERK
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Columbia, Mo.
Baylor's once-promising season hasn't panned out the way it was anticipating. The Bears have dropped their last four games since winning their first conference road game ever to the Cyclones. The Bears would have to win their final two games to become bowl eligible. Next week Baylor hosts last place Oklahoma State. Missouri can become bowl eligible with a victory this weekend.
Kansas State at Nebraska
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska has lost to Kansas and Missouri this season. The only thing more humiliating for Cornhusker fans would be a loss to the Wildcats at home. With a loss, Nebraska's bowl chances would be severely damaged. Nebraska travels to Colorado in two weeks for its finale. Kansas State also needs a victory to keep its bowl chances alive. If the Wildcats lose, they can kiss their bowl bid goodbye because they would end the season with a losing record. Kansas State will host Missouri for its final.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State When: Saturday, 1 p.m. Where: Stillwater, Okla
Where: Browns Stadium.
It has been a horrible season for Oklahoma State. It is still searching for its first conference victory of the season. The Cowboys will only have two more chances to get a victory when they close out the season next week against Baylor. Texas Tech is waiting in the wings, in case Texas slips up in its final two games of the season. The Red Raiders only have one loss this season and, if they win, would ensure themselves a quality bowl game.
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Texas A&M at Oklahoma
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When: Saturday, 11 a.m.
Where: Norman, Okla.
Oklahoma's season, which began ro
with three losses, has gotten better, an
Sooners are 4-1 in conference play.
homeloved the return of Adrian
lson last week. Peterson had been ham
by an ankle injury all season, but r
for more than 100 yards last week and
touchdowns. Texas A&M's bowl hope
on the line this weekend. It will finish it
son against Texas in two weeks.
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