Volume 126 Issue 4
kansan.com
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
COMMENTARY Jayhawk football fights back
PIGSKIN SATURDAYS
I Big 12 Conference offenses have been cheating, Kansas has been honest — and failing
failing.
This year the Jayhawks are cheating back. Kansas football team wants to go fast.
wants to get there Much faster than the year before. And this isn't about the offense.
This is about defense. This is about communicating and adjusting. And this is about learning how to compete in a league where offenses snap the ball faster than anywhere else.
anywhere. Cc. Kansas defensive coordinator Dave Campo spent 22 years in the NFL before returning to the college game to coach the Jayhawks. Campo quickly learned he's coaching in a whole new, much faster football world.
"The game of football isn't football," Campo said, "it's fast break offensives."
"You have to be ready to cheat right along with them."
Edited by Chas Strobel
During training camp, Kansas focused on learning how to handle those offenses. One of the drills the Jayhawks have added involves the defense facing two separate offensive units. One of the units is huddling, preparing for the next play, while the other unit is on the field.
The goal: After one play, the next huddle is already sprinting out to snap the ball, typically within 10 to 12 seconds.
If the opponent is cheating. Campo said there's only one thing to do.
Three Big 12 schools finished last season with more than 1,000 plays last season: West Virginia, Oklahoma and Baylor. Another Kansas opponent, Rice, clipped the 1,000 snap mark as well.
"It's just rapid fire," Campo said. "I think that's going to help us immeasurably."
The Jayhawks were often left scrambling to get back to their positions after plays last year, and when a defense is scrambling, coverage often fails. Kansas allowed 6.78 vards per play last season.
The Jayhawks use the extreme methods to make sure their defense is fully prepared to face offenses that have a goal of snapping the ball as quickly as possible.
Campo said the most telling flaw he saw watching last season's film was the tendency to allow the home-run play — especially in the fourth quarter. The most obvious example: Kansas had Texas beat last season until Longhorns quarterback Case McCoy threw a 39-yard pass to the three-yard line with a little more than one minutes left. Texas scored three plays later to take the 21-17 lead they would soon win with.
"In the fourth quarter of games, if the game was on the line, I feel like we were tired." Campo said. "I feel like we weren't mentally tough enough. That comes from the way you practice."
Jayhawks win a Big 12 football game.
In theory, this new system all of this practice, will help the Jayhawks limit the big plays. It will help the defense feel comfortable in the hectic situations they're sure to face. It will help the
Junior tight end Jimmay Mundine leaves Memorial Stadium unhappy after the Jayhawks' 2011 47-17 loss at the hand of the Oklahoma Sooners. Kansas coaches are expecting more from Mundine this season.
Kansas fans get a first look at the Jayhawk football team shaping up for the fall 2013 season
MAX GOODWIN
mggoodwin@kansan.com
The first chance Kansas fans had to witness their football team take shape was Aug. 17th during the annual Fan Appreciation Day at the University.
Many came to see Tony Pierson playing in the slot and looking for more open field opportunities. Others came to see Justin McCay and Jake Heaps prepare for their official debuts.
McCay had an underwhelming day catching a couple passes while Pierson stayed on the sidelines wearing a visor and no pads throughout the 100-play scrimmage.
On the first drive of the scrimmage tight end Jimmay Mundine, ran smoothly down the middle of the field and cut to the right before Heaps laid a pass right into his hands 20 yards past the line of scrimmage. Mundine caught the ball in stride and ran 29 yards
into the end zone.
"I'm expecting big things from Jimmy this year," tight ends coach Jeff Blasko said.
Mundine knows his strength and his weakness. Mundine is undersized as a tight end, at 6 feet 2 inches and 240 pounds, which is largely why he is a better receiver than blocker.
coach jeff blaske saw a few
Blasko has seen a few things
that indicate a breakout season
for Mundine, like his abilities as a
receiver. He has good hands and
is one of the best route runners on
the team, making him the likely
starter.
still, he's made some dramatic improvements in blocking. Mundine said he has learned that he doesn't have to maul opposing players downfield to block them, he just has to focus on the fundamentals and get in the way.
"Right now, Jimmay is number one." Blasko said, "clearly number one, and the rest of the guys are jumbled up."
"I know it's the weakest point in my game," Mundine said, "but it's definitely improved times ten since last season, and even since spring ball. I just have to continue to shoot my hands and move my feet and get myself in good position."
JEFF BLASKO Tight end coach
I'm expecting big things from Jimmay this year."
Kansas strength coach Scott Holsopple has led a transformation in the condition of the team. He keeps track of every lift each Jayhawk does to analyze it with the player over the course of the workouts, and reported to Blasko that the tight ends were among
the hardest working of any position group.
"I think I made the comment in spring that he was in as good of shape as he's been since I've been here," Blasko said. "And he's even in better shape now after the summer workouts."
Mundine has worked as hard as anyone and is ready to perform.
Last season was a part of a learning process for Mundine as a sophomore. Playing against the best teams in the Big 12 Conference, he gained confidence and showed improvement throughout the season.
"The biggest thing with Immay is he got some in-game experience last year," Blasko said, "which makes him feel more
The biggest indicator that Mundine is poised for a breakout season is that he's now comfortable with the pro-style offense of Charlie Weis, an offense that is known for getting the tight end involved.
comfortable out there. It allows him to play faster."
A fast player is one that's not second guessing, which means the player understands what he's supposed to do in each situation on the field.
Mundine is playing fast going into the second year under Wels. Blasko said he's seen a difference in the way all of the tight ends have played after a year of experience.
"They know the language, they know how we go about installation, everything is familiar to them," Blasko said. "Obviously, when you go through something for the second time it's easier. It's very noticeable that our guys are playing faster."
Edited by Chas Strobel
DIVE IN
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Swimmers from Kansas and Arkansas in the 200-yard Breastroke dive into the pool at a Feb. 2 meet against Arkansas inside Robinson Natatorium. Two Arkansas swimmers broke two pool records during the meet against Kansas.
When the Kansas swimming and diving team starts training next week, the team's incoming freshmen will make a big difference in the pool. With 11 newcomers and the loss of eight seniors from last season, this team is very different from last year's squad that finished 6-4 in dual meets and 2-0 in Big 12 dual meets.
Large freshman class expected to improve culture, performance of swimming team
The new additions to the team are talented, according to Campbell, but also integral to changing the team culture. He is expecting the energy from the freshman class to help with that.
"We are a very young, dynamic team this year," coach Clark Campbell said.
while the entire freshman class comes with experience, one player stands out for her pre-college achievements. Freshman Yulduz Kuchkarova is the first Kansas swimmer to join the team after competing in the Olympics.
1
With the combination of young athletes and senior leadership, Campbell would like the team to be one of the top two in the Big 12 conference this year. Campbell also expects anywhere from two to six players to qualify for NCAA Championships. However, Campbell stressed that the team's main goal was the same year after year.
While about half the team is brand new, Campbell expects the seven returning seniors to have an impact this season.
"They will definitely be key components athletically and each performs very well their event," Campbell said. "But they are all also tremendous leaders outside of the pool."
"We want to maximize the potential in every girl," Campbell said. "That is part of our team mission, to get the most out of every player."
The Jayhawks have an intrasquat at home on Oct. 3 and the first meet is in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 12.
Miranda Davis