PAGE 6
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BIG 12
FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
A look at conference competition
CONNOR OBERKROM
coberkrom@kansan.com
Texas gets back on track after beating K-State
Reeling after three games and two straight losses, Texas needed a redemption win and they got one as they beat Kansas State 31-21 on Saturday night.
Texas, after giving up more than 822 rushing yards in the last two games, buckled down this week in their first league game, yielding only 115 yards to K-State.
Texas head coach Mack Brown mentions that the different schemes in the defense were much simpler, and credited Greg Robinson for toning it down and allowing the players to just let loose. Brown said it was a much-needed win, and their goal to win the Big 12 is still intact.
"I think what it does it gives them the confidence to move forward," Brown said in the weekly Big 12 media teleconference. "Big 12 has been a really important goal since January."
Baylor's offense keeps rolling
Baylor head coach Art Briles showed last year that it's not necessarily the Quarterback that makes the system, but rather the system that makes the QB.
construct a high-powered offense with different players and recruits. Now Bryce Petty fills that lauded Baylor QB role, and Baylor is still putting up points again this year. Art Briles thinks the ceiling on Petty is sky-high right now and he needs to work to reach it.
When QB Nick Florence up put monstrous numbers last year it was a testament to Briles' ability to
"He's been okay," Briles said. "He can be better. There's a lot of areas he can get better and he will get better."
Baylor now has totaled 209 points in just three games, albeit against lower competition, and is tops in the country by a large margin. Petty currently leads the country in QB rating with a stupendous 239.5.
Coupled with Petty's passing attack is top-flight Big 12 running back Lance Seastrunk, who is second in the country with 11 yards per carry. Seastrun has had three straight 100-yard-plus games and has amassed 417 yards thus far.
"Lance is a guy that takes care of himself from a physical standpoint and a mental preparation standpoint," Briles said. "Really tuning in to what he needs to do to become the most complete back in America and that's what his goal is."
While the offense has dazzled with points through the first three games, Briles isn't looking with a wide scope, but is instead gazing at the little things in front of him.
"You know, the strange thing is we're not really looking at it and saying 'wow'," Briles said. "We're just looking at it like we need to improve here, we need to execute
here better, we need be able to pick up this 4th and-2; we're looking at it like we're just getting going."
Big 12 Game of the Week
After a heartbreaking loss last year against Notre Dame, Bob Stoops realizes it's going to take a lot of tight play and discipline to beat the Irish.
"I think first, turnovers are a huge deal," Stoops said. "Third down conversions, each way stopping them and us get them. Being able to have good balance run and pass. I think last year they made all the plays down the stretch and that's what changed the game."
While Notre Dame has lost its defensive linchpin Manti Teo, the team's defense is still extremely
stout, and Stoops says not a whole lot has changed.
"They're a very similar team. Their schemes are all the same." Stoops said. "They good athletes and well disciplined in everything they do."
Oklahoma is recognized for going on the road against tough competition and, with QB Blake Bell'sfirst career road start, the atmosphere will be just another factor, but Stoops is well-seasoned when it comes to these situations.
"Hopefully we'll handle it well." Stoops said. "With our style of not huddling, hopefully we'll be able to handle it the right way."
—Edited by Sylas May
Cleveland Browns benefit from early trade, road win
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland Browns refused to let a stunning midweek trade and widespread assumptions they'd give up on this season keep them from a late rally on the road for their first win.
They didn't flinch after any of Hoyer's three interceptions, either, against a Minnesota team in urgent need of a victory. Why would Hoyer be bothered by a little pressure, anyway? He grew up as a Browns fan, after all.
Jordan Cam-
ASSOCIATED PRESS
jorun Slamen caught three touchdown passes in Hoyer's second career start, including the go-ahead grab in the back of the end zone with 51 seconds left, and the Brown's kept the Vi.
"We're never going to quit. The guys in this room aren't that way, and I'm not that way. It's not even in our terminology."
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Christian Ponder is still the starting quarterback, despite two more turnovers. His interception was turned into a touchdown in the second quarter, and his fumble at the Cleveland 16 on the last play of the first half cost the Vikings the chance to try a short field goal they could've used later.
Ponder finished 25 for 42 for 228 yards, making several on-target throws when he had to but misfiring again on too many. Ponder did run for 46 yards and two touch-
ROB CHUDZINSKI
Browns head coach
kings winless with a 31-27 victory Sunday.
"We have a really resilient group," Hoyer said, "and I think we showed that this week."
"We're never going to quit. The guys in this room aren't that way, and I'm not that way. It's not even in our terminology," said first-year coach Rob Chudzinski, who earned his first career win.
Here are five things we learned from Hoyer's first win as a starter and Minnesota's last home opener at the Metrodome:
Hoyer threw 54 passes, completing 30 for 321 yards. Josh Gordon's return from a two-game suspension opened up the field, and the Vikings had little success stopping him. Hoyer targeted him 19 times, and he caught 10 passes for 146 yards and a score. The Browns didn't miss running back Trent Richardson, who was dealt to Indianapolis, at all.
1. PONDERING THE FUTURE:
downs, but hustle won't be enough by itself to keep the job for the long term
Ponder was booed several times, and a brief chant for backup quarterback Matt Cassel broke out. "I think it was impossible not to hear them." Ponder
said. "We want to win just as bad as the fans."
2. NO RUNNING ROOM:
2. IN HOMETOWN RHODE
Richardson's departure left Willis
McGahee, Bobby Rainey and
fullback Chris Ogbonnaya to fill
the backfield, and they had little
impact.
Cleveland's best runs were a 34-yarder by Josh Aubrey on a fake punt that set up a field goal in a wild second quarter and a 22-yard reverse by Gordon to set up a touchdown on the previous possession.
McGahee, who's fourth among active players on the NFL's career yards rushing list, gained 9 yards. He took eight handoffs.
3. STOUT FRONT SEVEN:
Peterson had a hard time, too,
against a Browns defense that is
giving up 2.81 yards per rush.
He finished with 88 yards and
a touchdown but lost a fumble and
never found any gains of 10 yards
or more.
Rookie outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo had one of the six sacks, and inside linebacker Craig Robertson recovered Peterson's fumble and tipped the ball that T.J. Ward intercepted in the second quarter.
4. BANGED UP:
The Browns lost outside linebacker Jaheal Sahead and defensive
end Billy Winn to knee injuries, and kicker Billy Cundy had quadriceps trouble. The Brownsa failed to convert a fourth-and-4 at the Minnesota 37 midway through the third quarter, and they used punter Spencer Lanning to kick the last extra point. Lanning threw an 11-yard scoring pass to Cameron in the second quarter on a fake field goal.
For the Vikings, top corner
back Chris Cook was lost in the first quarter because of a groin injury. Safety Jamarca Sanford was missing in the second half because of a hamstring problem, and cornerback A.J. Jefferson hurt his ankle. Tight end/fullback Rhett Ellison didn't suit up because of a hyperextended knee.
5. LONDON CALLING:
The Vikings gave up a home date
to play the NFL's annual showcase in London, so their overseas flight on Monday night might feel a little longer after this ominous loss. The good news is they play Pittsburgh, one of the other five winless teams left in the league.
"The only thing we can do now is bounce back. We can't let this direct us on a different path," Peterson said.
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VOLLEYBALL PAGE 8
K- Kansas records. Riley has the Kansas all-time dig record with 1,746 while Jarmoc is nearing the all-time blocks record. With 475 career blocks, Jarmoc is 39 blocks away from passing Amanda Reves on the list.
12 behind Kansas State's Kaitlyn Lynn Pelger. She is among the Big 12's leaders in kills per set (4th), blocks per set (5th) and hitting percentage (7th).
L - Libero Brianne Riley continues her impressive play on defense and is currently eighth on the Big 12's all-time career digs list and has reached double-digit kills in 39 consecutive matches. Riley currently ranks third in the Big 12 with 4.77 digs per this season.
M - Middle blockers Soucie (second) and armoc (fifth) are ranked in the Top 10 in the Big 12 in blocks per set and have been forces offensively this season.
N - NCAA Tournament preparation. The Jayhawks have played teams from the Atlantic Coast- Conference, Big East, Big Ten, Pac 12 and Southeastern Conference this season. Five of Kansas' opponents so far (Central Arkansas,
Arkansas, Creighton, Wisconsin and Georgia) look to be headed to the NCAA Tournament.
0 - Outside hitters have contributed to the offensive attack this season. Senior Catherine Carmichael, junior Sara McClinton, freshman Tiana Dockery and Chelsea Albers have continued their strong play from last season. Aside from leading the conference in kills per set, the Jayhawks are third in the Big 12 with a .256 hitting percentage.
P - Persistent on defense. With Riley. Wait and senior defensive specialist Jaime Mathieu leading the way, the Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 with 15.98 digs per set.
Q - Quick turnarounds. From Aug. 30 to Sept. 14, the Jayhawks never had more than two offdays between matches. Many of the offdays were spent traveling, leaving little time for practice.
*n* = Ray Beard earned his 250th career win with Kansas after defeating Arizona in the third match of the season. In his 16th year at Kansas, Beard is 258-212 as head coach of the Jayhawks.
S - Sara McClinton, one of the Jayhawks' hardest hitters, reached
double-digit kills nine times this season and ranks eighth in the Big 12 in kills per set with 3.12. McClinton was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Arizona Invitational and the Kansas Invitational.
T - Tiana Dockery, who was a member of the Big 12's All-Freshman team last season, has avoided the sophomore slump. She posted a career-high 21 kills in a tough road win against Wisconsin in its home opener and was named a member of the All-Tournament Team at the InnTower Invitational.
THE
V - Vengeance. After losses to Arkansas and Notre Dame last season, the Jayhawks avenged both losses. Kansas defeated Arkansas on the road in five sets and defeated Notre Dame in four sets at home to clinch the Kansas Invitational.
U Under-23 Italian National Team comes to Lawrence for an exhibition match on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Jayhawks will get a taste of international volleyball and one last chance to hone their skills before conference play.
Edited by Heather Nelson
QI
Befo final led a
WEIS FROM PAGE 8
"I put hard. in the think step
F
the line of scrimmage. Two weeks in a row we haven't done that."
Sims' effectiveness has been limited at times without holes to run through.
Q: WI seas
Against Louisiana Tech, Sims said he took what the defense gave him. He ended the game with 79 yards on 20 carries, with his biggest gain of the day going for 12 yards. "I wasn't trying to force anything, or do too much," Sims said after the game.
ML
A: Ki
Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon, who fumbled the ball with a minute and 33 seconds left on the clock, gave Kansas the opportunity to steal the win. The fumble led to the game-winning 52-vard field.
game winning, so yard goals go.
Sims said after the game that if a running back is fighting for extra yards, he also needs to think about holding onto the football
The focus at practice Tuesday will be strengthening the physicality in order to provide room, not just for Sims, but for all of the jayhaws' playmakers.
1
Edited by Heather Nelson
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