8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21. 2005
Jayhawks need to buff up their offense
KU Blitz
AT A GLANCE
After starting the season 3-0, the Jayhawks have struggled mightily. The Jayhawks scored more than 30 points in each of their nonconference games, but are averaging barely seven points in Big 12 play. The team now stands at 3-3, and if its offense continues to be non-existent, it will be difficult for Kansas to win another game this season.
LAST TIME OUT
There was nearly no offensive performance in Kansas' 19-3 loss to Oklahoma last week. The Kansas defense once again excelled, led by senior linebacker Nick Reid, but the offense was not able to capitalize on the good field position set up by the defense for the second week in a row.
- Junior cornerback Charles Gordon. Gordon got his first two interceptions of the season last week, and also played on special teams and as a wide receiver. Gordon is the definition of a versatile player and will need to be special again this week, especially on offense, if the Jayhawks are going to have a chance.
5 QUICK FACTS
97
97 The number of total offensives yards for the Jawhawk offense last week against Oklahoma.
PLAYER TO WATCH
4
4 Turnovers by senior quarterback Brian Luke in the same game.
4
4 Ranking of the Kansas defense in rushing defense nationally.
69 Number of tackles for senior linebacker Nick Reid, who leads the Big 12.
2
LOOKING FORWARD
3 Straight losses for the Jayhawks since beginning the season 3-0.
A loss would back Kansas into a corner. The Jayhawks need three more victories to gain bowl eligibility, and falling below. 500 will make every game a must-win. A victory, on the other hand, would put them in perfect shape for a postseason berth. If Kansas could go into Colorado and win, the question might change to what bowl will the team be going to.
KEY TO VICTORY.
Offense, offense, offense. If the Jayhawks are going to win, their offense is going to have to at least score one touchdown. The Kansas defense can't stay on the field as long as it has in the past two weeks, for nearly two thirds of the game. If the offense can cut the defense some slack, the Jayhawks may have a chance to upset the Buffaloes.
Kansas vs. Colorado 6 p.m., Saturday, Folsom Field
Kansas
OFFENSE
Some fans thought that the Kansas offense couldn't get any worse after its lackluster performance against Kansas State, but the Oklahoma game last weekend proved otherwise. The offense accumulated just 97 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Brian Luke turned the ball over four times with three interceptions and a fumble. Kansas football coach Mark Mangino claims that the team's quarterback situation has not changed since last week, meaning Luke may start again. Mangino, however, talked a lot this week about senior Jason Swanson's progress.
DEFENSE
The Kansas defense is the clear opposite of its offensive counterpart. It has become one of the best defenses in the country. The team is second in the Big 12 and fourth nationally in rushing defense, giving up an average of less than 70 yards per contest. Senior linebacker Nick Reid leads the Jayhawks and the conference in tackles with 69 so far. The defense has set up the offense with great field position all season to no avail. The defense will need another stellar performance this week if the Jayhawks are going to have any chance.
SPECIALTEAMS
Junior cornerback Charles Gordon had many great punt returns last week, including one that he nearly took to the end zone. With the offense sputtering, it may take a Gordon punt return to get the Jayhawks a victory. Sophomore kicker Scott Webb has been nearly perfect this season, with his only miss coming from beyond 40 yards. Sophomore punter Kyle Tucker is coming off his best performance of the season, when he averaged almost 50 yards per punt against Oklahoma. On the season, Tucker is averaging 44.5 yards per punt and has had 12 kicks from inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
COACHES
Mangino's experiment using multiple quarterbacks did not work in the
Colorado
OFFENSE
The Buffaloes are led on offense by senior quarterback Joel
Klatt. Klatt is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the conference and has started 28 career games at Colorado. This season, Klatt ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in passing yards per game with nearly 240 yards per game. Klatt's best game of the year came two weeks ago against Texas A&M when Klatt threw for 398 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Klatt is joined in the backfield by sophomore running back Hugh Charles. Charles is also having a good season this year and ranks fourth in the conference in rushing yards with 525. Charles has also scored five touchdowns on the season.
DEFENSE
Colorado's defense was having a great season until last weekend when it had to face Texas and its
quarterback Vince Young. The Buffaloes had a hard time containing Young, and the Longhorns' offense scored 42 points. Before that, Colorado had shut out two opponents, including Oklahoma State on the road. Colorado coach Gary Barnett said earlier in the week that junior safety J.J. Billingley was the heart and soul of the Buffaloes' defense. Billingsley was named a freshman All-American three seasons ago and is in the top 10 in a lot of Colorado career defensive categories. This season, Billingsley has 39 total tackles and one sack. Junior linebacker Thad Washington leads the team in tackles this season with 46 total tackles and also has two sacks.
SPECIALTEAMS
Sophomore Garrett Hartley will handle the kicking duties for the Sooners this weekend. Hartley hit a career-long 52-yard field goal last weekend against Texas and is 7-10 on the season. Sophomore Cody Freeby is in his first season as Oklahoma's punter. He is averaging more than 41 yards per punt. Smith and Wilson will handle the kick return duties, and senior wide receiver Jejuan Rankins is the team's punt returner. Rankins is averaging more than 11 yards per return.
CU Blitz
ATAGLANCI
- Colorado is in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Big 12 North with Nebraska and Missouri at 2-1 in conference play. Colorado's conference season got off to a good start with a 34-0 pounding of Oklahoma State on the road. The Buffaloes have already played their three teams from the South division and will only play North teams for the remainder of the season.
LAST TIME OUT
Colorado traveled to Austin, Texas, last weekend to play No. 2 Texas. The game didn't turn out well for the team, as Colorado lost 42-17. Quarterback Joel Klatt struggled against the Longhorns defense, throwing for less than 200 yards and an interception. The Buffaloes also had a hard time running the ball, as running back Hugh Charles was held to just 40 yards.
- J.J Billingley is one of the top safeties in the conference, and if he is making plays in the defensive backfield it will make it hard for the Kansas quarterbacks to get on track. Billingley is also one of the harder hitters in the conference and likes to intimidate wide receivers.
PLAYER TO WATCH
5 QUICKTACTS
27. 5 The scoring average per game of the Colorado offense.
3
3 The number of Big 12 North division championships Colorado has under coach Gary Barnett.
132
27
133 Colorado has amassed 133 victories since the 1989 season, which is good for eighth in the country.
37 The number of career field goals by place kicker Mason Crosby. Crosby has hit a number of last minute field goals to secure victories for Colorado.
34:42 The average time of possession this season for Colorado.
TOOKING FORWARD
- A Colorado loss would seriously damage its chances at winning the North division. This is a game that Colorado can't afford to lose at home. A Colorado victory would give the team control of its own destiny to the North championship with games still to come against Nebraska and Missouri.
KLY TO VICTORY
The Buffaloes have to shut down the Kansas offense early. If the Jayhawks start to move the ball and score points, look for the Jayhawk defense to start dominating the Buffaloes offense. If the Colorado defense can shut down the Kansas offense and keep the defense out on the field with long, productive drives, this game could get out of hand.
Around the Big 12
Texas Tech at Texas
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Austin, Texas
Why: This is the premier game in the Big 12 Conference this weekend. Both teams enter the game ranked in the top 10 and, for all intensive purposes, the big 12 South title is on the line. Texas Tech pounded Kansas State 59-20 last weekend and is a perfect 6-0 on the season, the same mark as Texas, which is riding a 13-game winning streak coming into this weekend's game dating back to last year: it's the second longest streak in the country, behind No. 1 USC.
Nebraska at Missouri
Why: This is a critical game in the Big 12 North division. Both teams are tied atop the division with Colorado. Missouri回升 quarterback Chase Daniel is likely to see more time this weekend after leading the Tigers to come-from-behind victory last weekend against Iowa State. Starting quarterback Brad Smith was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter, but is expected to start. Nebraska is ranked first in the country in rush defense, allowing just 65 yards a game.
When: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Columbia, Mo.
Texas A&M at Kansas State
When: Saturday, 1:10 p.m.
Where: Manhattan
Why: The loser of this game will most likely fall out of contention in its respective division. Kansas State enters the game 1-2 in conference play and needs a victory to keep pace with Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska. Texas A&M is 2-1 in conference play and trails Texas and Texas Tech by just a game, and still plays both teams this season. The Aggies are coming off a 62-23 victory against Oklahoma State last weekend, while Kansas State loat to Texas Tech 59-20. Texas A&M won last year's contest 42-30 at home.
Baylor at Oklahoma
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Norman, Okla.
Why: Baylor isn't the automatic victory it once was for opponents. Baylor has played all three conference games close this season, and won its first-ever conference road game earlier this season at Iowa State. Last week, Baylor played Nebraska to a nine-point game and was in it until the fourth quarter. Oklahoma isn't the powerhouse it was last season, but is still .500 on the season after beating Kansas 19-3 last weekend. The big question surrounding the Sooners is the health of running back Adrian Peterson. Oldahoma coach Bob Stoops said the team is taking it day-to-day with Peterson, and expects him to play this weekend.
Why: Both teams are searching for their first conference victory of the season. Oklahoma State has struggled this season to keep games close. In its first conference game of the season, the team lost at home 34-0 to Colorado and last week allowed more than 60 points to Texas A&M. Iowa State has played three close ball games and lost to Nebraska on the road in overtime 27-20, then dropped a 23-13 game at home against Baylor and, last weekend, lost another overtime thriller 27-24 at Missouri. If Iowa State looses again, its once-promising bowl hopes will be fading quickly.
Oklahoma State at Iowa State
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Ames, Iowa
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