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CONFERENCE PLAY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Texas Tech at 4-0 is a formidable foe for Kansas
HEATHER NELSON
hnelson@kansan.com
Texas Tech high-powered offense
It's been 1,063 days since the Kansas Jayhawks won a conference football game.
football game
The labywhacks will attempt to end
The Jayhawks win at this losing streak on Saturday when they face Texas Tech, a team that is atop the Big 12 and 4-0.
- the two share play
the two share pay- ing time at QB, but Webb is the true backup. It is unclear who will start the game on Saturday.
"We have to score way more points than we've been scoring. And it's really that simple."
Tech's high-powered offense is averaging about 40 points per game, while opponents only average 13 points.
How the teams match up On average, the Jayhawks score 20 points per game, but this has been
against unranked, non-conference teams. Coach Charlie Weis said his offense would have to come ready to match the fast tempo.
Similarly, the Jayhawks' defense will have to make adjustments to shut down the Red Raiders' high-powered offense on Saturday.
"the tempo they play at, you don't have a lot of time, during a series
CHARLIE WEIS
Coach
to make mass personnel adjustments" coach Charlie Weis said.
Texas Tech's go-to guy, Jace Amaro, is listed as tight end, but is a versatile part of the Red Raiders' team.
Weis said Victor Simmons would likely match up with Amaro; both share similar size and speed.
Weis also mentioned that, to be successful in the Big 12, his offense especially needed to convert on third downs and in the red zone.
"We have to score way more points than what we've been scoring. And it's really that simple." Weis said.
Weis is relying on leaders such as James Sims and Tony Pierson to lead the attack on Texas Tech. Sims has 55 carries for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Pierson has 15 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown.
Kansas special teams
"Now, when we kick the ball off, we're not holding our breath anymore." Weis said. "If it's not a touchback, it's going to be sky-high on the goal line and we have a chance to tackle him inside the 20 [yard line]."
But the special teams have made the difference in each of Kansas's games so far this season. Weis spoke highly of Matthew Wyman's work.
Weis stressed that the Jayhawks despite being on the lower end of the Big 12 - were slowly improving.
And if they can win on Saturday, the Jayhawks could show true progress.
Edited by Emma McElhaney
Freshman running back Tony Pierson scans the field as he runs for the first down during the third quarter of a 2011 game against Texas Tech. Kansas achieved 26 first downs throughout the entirety of the game.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
NHL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Chicago Blackhawks stand with the Stanley Cup and the championship banner during ceremonies before an NHL game.
JAYHAWKS AROUND THE WORLD 2013 HOMECOMING
Thursday, Oct. 3
Lawrence for Literacy - Book Drive
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Homecoming Parade
Homecoming Pep Rally
Friday, Oct. 4
Pancakes ($5 per person)
Passport: Jayhawks Around Campus
Late Night in the Phog
Saturday, Oct. 5
Alumni Center KU Campus Massachusetts Street 8th and New Hampshire Street
Ex.C.E.L. Award Presentation KU vs. Texas Tech football game Ex.C.E.L. and Homecoming Awards
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Alumni Center Parking Lot KU Campus Allen Fieldhouse
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
11 a.m.
haltime presentation
9 a.m. - Noon
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Alumni Center Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium
Visit www.homecoming.ku.edu for schedule updates.
CHICAGO — Brandon Saad, Johnny Oduya and Marian Hossa scored in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks kicked off their Stanley Cup title defense with a 6-4 victory over Mikhail Grabovsky and the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Brandon Bollig also scored for Chicago, which won its first game for the second straight season. Corey Crawford made 28 saves, including a couple of huge stops when the Blackhawks killed off a late 5-on-3 power play.
Blackhawks win opener, raise championship banner
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chicago ruined Los Angeles' title celebration with a 5-2 victory in last season's opener, and then set an NHL record by recording at least one point in its first 24 games. The fast start played a key role in the Blackhawks' run to the Stanley Cup title, and coach Joel Quenneville made it clear in training camp that another opening surge is a priority.
Grabovsky had three goals and an assistant in his first game since he signed with Washington in August. Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an
Grabovsky had consecutive power-play goals in the third, lifting Washington to a 3-2 lead with 14:44 left. But Saad finished a beautiful give-and-go with Michal Handzus, and Oduya converted a long shot at 13:53 to put the Blackhawks ahead to stay.
Oduya caught a fortunate break on his 32nd birthday when his fluttering shot went in off the glove of goalie Braden Holtby on its way to the net.
Hossa finished the scoring when he was dragged down from behind as he skated toward an empty net in the final seconds, prompting the officials to award him with an insurance goal.
Holtby finished with 29 saves in Washington's first game in Chicago since March 18, 2012. NHL teams played games strictly within their own conference last season after the lockout cut the campaign nearly in half.
Cheered on by a raucous crowd of 22,158, the Blackhawks staged one last celebration of the franchise's fifth title. The team handed out special wristbands that lit up during parts of the pregame ceremony, making the rows of seats at the United Center look like a clear night sky full of stars.
assist, but the Capitals dropped their opener for the second straight season.
The wristband lights were joined by camera flashes as a group of
After Ovechkin tied it with a power-play goal, Kane sent a wrist shot past Holtby to make it 2-1 at 11:06. Kane won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when the Blackhawks made their run to the championship.
Front office staff and players posed for a picture with the banner hanging just over the ice. It was then raised to the top while the crowd roared.
youth hockey players presented the championship banner to the 19 returning players from last year's squad, who carried it to the spot for its trip to the rafters.
Chicago then brushed aside any concern of a letdown caused by the banner ceremony and grabbed the lead when Bollig stuffed home a rebound 4:06 in for his first career regular-season goal.
THE
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