8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005
Sunflower Showdown hits Manhattan
KU Blitz
AT A GLANCE
Kansas ended an 11-game losing streak to Kansas State last season and will look to make it two straight victories tomorrow. The Jayhawks will look to continue their strong defensive play to help their sputtering offense. A victory on the road would put the Jayhawks just two victories away from becoming bowl-eligible.
The current win streak for the Jayhawks over the Wildcats.
5 QUICK FACTS
17 of 17 The success of the Jayhawks thus far in the red zone. They are one of all three teams in the conference to score every time they get inside the 20 yard line.
LAST TIME OUT
- Whomever Kansas football coach Mark Mangino starts at quarterback. The Jayhawks have struggled throughout the season with inconsistency at the quarterback position. The offense has thrown six interceptions this season and has been unable to convert on third down.
◆ The Jayhawks put together their best defensive performance last week. It was the offense that let them down. Kansas fell to Texas Tech 30-17 for its first loss of the season. The offense gave the Red Raiders seven points when it fumbled and turned the ball over in its own end zone. Kansas was unable to move the football once it got into Texas Tech territory.
1
17
PLAYER TO WATCH
6
6 Number of interceptions thrown by Kansas quarterbacks through four games. Whomver backs tomorrow will need to do a better job of not making turnovers in order for the offense to be successful.
6.3
5,35 Yards per carry for junior running back Jon Cornish. With the Jhyawk passing attack struggling, Cornish will need to shoulder most of the offensive load tomorrow.
Kansas vs. Kansas State 11 a.m., Saturday, Manhattan, KSU Stadium
0
Number of interceptions for junior cornerback Charles Gordon. After leading the nation in picks last season, Gordon has yet to record one this season.
KLY INJURIES
The Jayhawks appear to be relatively clean on injuries at this point. Gordon limped off the field after last week's contest, but Mangino said that it was an ankle sprain and that he was not concerned.
KEY TO VICTORY
The offense needs to come alive this week if the Jayhawks hope to win. That will all start with the KU quarterback not forcing throws into coverage that could result in interceptions. The longer the offense stays on the field, the longer the solid Kansas defense will have to rest. The offense cannot make a habit of relying on the defense to score points.
Kansas
OFFENSE
The Kansas offense struggled against Texas Tech last week, mainly through the play of its quarterbacks. Kansas football coach Mark Mangino used three quarterbacks, but none of them moved the offense down the field. The
offense received good field position from the Kansas defense, but the quarterbacks were unable to capitalize on it. Mangino has yet to name a starter for Saturday's game. The selected Kansas quarterback will have to perform better than last week if the Jayhawks want to win their second consecutive game against Kansas State. Junior quarterback Adam Barmann is the projected choice to start against the Wildcats. Junior running back Jon Cornish will also be a huge factor in the offense. Cornish, the team's leading rusher, will split time with senior running back Clark Green.
The Kansas defense is coming off its best performance of the year after holding Texas Tech's high-powered offense to 23 points. The defense has been spectacular against the run this season, ranking second in the Big 12 Conference and fifth nationally. The Jayhawks have given up only 72 yards per game on the ground. Expect the Kansas defense to be more concerned with the run this week. Kansas' solid linebackers will be put to the test to stop the Kansas State rushing attack.
The Kansas special teams unit continues to be a vital part of the team's success. The punt and kickoff coverage has consistently set up the opponent with poor field position. Sophomore kicker Scott Webb has yet to miss a field goal this season, and sophomore punter Kyle Tucker is coming off his best game of the season and is averaging 43 yards per punt. Junior cornerback Charles Gordon is always a threat to take a punt return to the end zone.
Opponent
COACHES
The Kansas State offense will go as far as running backs junior Thomas Clayton and freshman Parrish Fisher go. Clayton has rushed for more than 300 yards in three games and is one of the best running backs in the conference. Junior quarterback Allen Webb will lead the passing attack for Kansas State. Webb's statistics have improved from last season, but don't be surprised if freshman quarterback Allan Evridge comes on to spell Webb at some point during the game. Evridge has played in the past two games, and he went 3-6 for 49 yards against Oklahoma. Coach Bill Snyder said he has been happy with Evridge's performance in practice.
Mangino coached with Snyder for eight seasons at Kansas State. Mangino ended the streak of 11 consecutive Kansas State victories last year and will look to get a rare road victory tomorrow. In order for Mangino to do that, he will look for solid play from his quarterbacks. Mangino had a quick leash last week, using three quarterbacks. Mangino has not found a consistent quarterback to stick with this season. Fans will see if he finds that consistency this week.
— Ryan Colaianni
The defense has struggled to contain opposing offenses. In its first conference game, Kansas State faced a struggling offense and still could not contain it. Last weekend, Oklahoma star running back Adrian Peterson left in the first half, but the Wildcats still struggled to stop the Sooners. Junior linebacker Brandon Archer anchors the defense and has had 25 total tackles in the team's first four games. Archer is a mainstay on the Wildcats defense; he has 115 tackles in his career. Sophomore defensive back Marcus Watts had a solid game last weekend against Oklahoma, compiling nine tackles and breaking up one pass. The defense is ranked 39th in the NCAA in total defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior place kicker Jeff Snodgrass anchors Kansas State's special teams. He had a 57-yard field goal against North Texas, which tied for the fourth-
longest in school history. He is 4-6 on the season and has hit all three field goals from 30 to 39 yards. Sophomore punterTim Reyer had a tough week last week, as he failed to get on the field before a Kansas State punt. The ball was snapped, and it went out the back of the end zone. Reyer: had been solid before that, averaging 40 yards per punt. Junior wide receiver Jermaine Moreira handles the punt return duties for Kansas State. He averages more than 12 yards per return and has one touchdown that came on a 67-yard return. Moreira also handles the kick return duties, averaging 28 yards per return.
Although Bill Snyder was named NCAA Coach of the Year three times in the 1990s, he has struggled throughout the past year when Kansas State stumbled to a 4-7 finish. Snyder has to prove that he can still recruit in the state of Kansas, despite losing to the Jayhawks last season. The Wildcats are 88-31 in their past 10 seasons, which ranks fifth in Division 1-A. Snyder is the reason Mangino coaches Kansas; Snyder served as mentor to Mangino for seven years while Mangino served as an assistant at Kansas State. Mangino will look to defeat his mentor for the
KSU Blitz
♦ K-State got off to a 3-0 non-conference start before losing to Oklahoma last weekend. The Wildcats' closest game was their second of the season, when they defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd on the road 21-19. Kansas State's other two victories were at home against Florida Atlantic and North Texas.
Kansas State is going to need a strong performance from junior running back Thomas Clayton to beat the Jayhawks. The Kansas defense has been tough against the run so far this season, but if Clayton explodes for more than 100 yards, which he is capable of, Kansas could have a long day. Clayton has 337 yards in three games, which ranks 14th nationally and is the best in the Big 12 Conference.
- Kansas State opened its conference season on the road against Oklahoma and came away with a 43-21 loss. The Wildcats fell behind 26-0 in the third quarter and never made up the deficit. Kansas State couldn't get its run game going, as freshman running back Parrish Fisher was limited to 13 yards, and junior running back Thomas Clayton had only eight yards on 12 carries.
LAST TIME OUT
PLAYER TO WATCH
AT A GLANCE
5 QUICK FACTS
134
The number of victories Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has. He is one of the best coaches in the business and will have the Wildcats ready to play after a tough loss.
411.8
11. 1.8 The Kansas State offense's average yards per game. The Kansas defense will have to be in top form to shut down the potent Wildcat attack.
Kansas State's points the last time it played Kansas in its big 12 home opener. If the game's score gets to the 50-point range, Kansas' chances at a victory will decrease.
50
79-12
10-12 The Wildcats' record when they have a busher run for more than 100 yards. If Clayton or Fisher get more than 100 yards, Kansas State will have the advantage.
4
4 Quarterback Allen Webb's number of interceptions in the season's first four games.
· KEY INJURIES
♦ The Wildcats' offensive line has been decimated by injuries so far this season. Projected starting center freshman Ryan Schmidt broke his ankle and is done for the year. The Wildcats also back lost-up tackle junior Michael Frieson to a trom ACL. Three other members of the line have been injured during the first four games, but are all expected to play tomorrow.
Around the Big 12
KEY TO VICTORY
If Thomas Clayton and Parish Fisher are effective, Kansas will have a tough game ahead. The Kansas defense ranks fifth in the country in rush defense, but if the Wildcats can find a way to neutralize the Jayhawks' biggest strength, they'll have the Governor's Cup come Saturday.
Oklahoma vs. Texas
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Dallas
Why: Texas is hoping to finally stop the Sooners after five years of defeats. This appears to be its best shot at winning the Red-River Shootout. Texas enters the game 4-0, a record that includes an emotional road victory at Ohio State and a conference-winning win last week at Missouri. Oklahoma is 2-2. Running back Adrian Peterson left the game with a foot injury last week against Kansas State. Peterson is expected to be back, but not at full strength.
Texas Tech at Nebraska
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Lincoln, Neb.
Why: Nebraaska is looking to become the top team it was a decade ago, when it won the National Championship in 1984, 1995 and 1997. The Cornhuskers have started 4-0 and beat nationally-ranked Iowa State at home last weekend in double overtime. Quarterback Zac Taylor has thrown for 830 yards and three touchdowns this season. Texas Tech defeated Kansas at home. Quarterback Cody Hodges the Tech offense with 1,450 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Tech is ranked 13th in the country. The last time these two played, Texas Tech came away with a 70-10 victory.
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Where: Boulder, Colo.
Texas A&M at Colorado
Why? This game could be Colorado's best shot at winning the conference. Colorado got off to a good start last weekend, beating Oklahoma State on the road 34-0. Colorado football coach Gary Barnett seems to have finally taken control of his team after a problematic off-season. The Angies go to Colorado after winning a tough home game last weekend against Baylor. Texas A&M is paced by its quarterback Reggie McNeal who has more than 1,000 total yards.
Missouri at Oklahoma State
When: Saturday, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Stillwater, Okla.
Why: This could be the ugliest game of the weekend. Both teams find themselves struggling and trying to find their identities. Missouri's offense has been solid so far, averaging 43.7 points and 554 yards per game. But its defense has struggled in the first four games, including letting up 51 points last weekend against Texas. Oklahoma Stake can be in for a disappointing season. It dropped its home conference opener last weekend to Colorado. Freshman Bobby Reid has taken over at quarterback and has only thrown one touchdown during the season.
Baylor at Iowa State
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Ames, Iowa
Why: Both teams look to rebound from tough losses last weekend. Baylor lost to Texas A&M in overtime, and Iowa State dropped a double overtime thriller at Nebraska. Last year, Iowa State escaped with a 26-25 victory at Baylor. That victory enabled Iowa State to go on to a bowl game. For Baylor, it was just another moral victory. Both teams will look to end their "moral-victory streaks" and tally a real victory.
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