THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013
PAGE 9
FOOTBALL
Defensive depth may bring successful season for Kansas
CONNOR OBERKROM
coberkrom@kansan.com
Dave Campo may not admit it, but last year's lack of depth on defense plagued Kansas against the Big 12's hellish, up-tempo offenses.
On paper, at least, that seems to have changed for the better. It all begins with Kansas' lengthy and skilled defenders Dexter McDonald and Kevin Short, who are looking to hold down the two starting cornerback spots.
Both Short and McDonald boast impressive wingspans and athleticism that will help the Jayhawks defend against the pass-heavy league.
McDonald, a local product from Rockhurst High School, returns to the Jayhawks after being dismissed from the team when coach Charlie Weis first took over at Kansas. Short, who transferred from junior-college and was recently cleared by the NCAA, looks to bolster not only the Jayhawks secondary, but also their return game with his top-flight speed.
While he has a little catching up to do. Short still has a legitimate shot at playing a fair amount when Kansas takes the field against South Dakota on Sept. 7.
"He's one of the guys, in my mind like Dexter McDonald, he's a bigger athlete," said Defensive Coordinator Dave Campo. "We won't know exactly what we have until he's going."
While Short may be a little behind in adjusting to the new system, Campo said cornerback is one position in which relying on athletic ability is more crucial than anything else.
Two other guys that have been a part of the corner competition are junior JaCorey Shepherd and junior-college transfer Brandon Hollomon. The tight position battle speaks volumes to the added depth that Campo has been embracing throughout camp.
The big rotations define defenses in this league. Having two shutdown corners can help matters but the comfort of being able to shuffle players in without suffering a major dropoff in talent is even more beneficial. That's something Campo feels he can now do.
"With the tempo of the game and 90 plays a game, you can't just play two guys," Campo said. "That's something I did last year. I had no confidence whatsoever in guys that were backup positions."
Last season, Campo came to Kansas after a lengthy NFL career coaching defense for the Dallas Cowboys. He had to deal with facing these cutting edge, no huddle offenses in the Big 12 that were unlike anything he was used to. Now, one year later, Campo feels much more confident and comfortable in preparing to face the conference's best.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
“It’s a different game,” Campo said. “I know the offensive coaches around this league are going to get mad when I say this but they're cheating. The game of football is not football it's fast-break offense. So, you have to be ready to cheat right along with them.”
Defensive Coordinator Dave Campo talks to players while they stretch out during a practice April 24, 2012. Campo coached in the NFL for more than 20 years before coming to Kansas.
The league has made it abundantly clear that tempo is the name of its game and they aren't turning down the engine anytime soon.
"In critical situations we gave up big plays." Campo said of last year's team. "I feel like we were tired and we weren't mentally tough enough and that comes from the way you practice. If you're forced to do it, it becomes a habit. We needed better practice habits."
Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
Toronto ends losing streak with 5-2 win against Yankees
MLB
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TORONTO — R.A. Dickey pitched into the seventh inning, Jose Reyes sparked Toronto's offense and the Blue Jays snapped a 10-game losing streak against the New York Yankees with a 5-2 victory on Monday night.
Alex Rodriguez hit his 650th home run, a leadoff drive in the fifth, but the Yankees lost for the ninth time in 13 road games this month. Rodriguez is 10 homers away from tying Willie Mays for fourth on the career list, which would secure a $6 million bonus for the third baseman.
Derek Jeter went hitless in his
return to New York's lineup. Jeter, who started at shortstop and batted second, finished 0 for 3 with a walk, grounding into a double play in the third.
Reyes walked and scored in the third, and doubled and scored in Toronto's three-run fifth as the Blue Jays beat the Yankees for just the second time in 14 meetings this season. Toronto had lost 10 straight to its division rival since an 8-4 home win on April 21.
Dickey (10-12) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits in 61-3-1 innings to win for the first time since Aug. 5 at Seattle. The knuckleballer was 1 with a 4.54 ERA
in his three previous starts. It was Dickey's first victory over the Yankees since May 21, 2011, when he played for the New York Mets.
Rodriguez's home run was the 29th allowed by Dickey this season, second only to Oakland's A.J. Griffin. Dickey has given up 20 homers in 14 home starts.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Monday.
Aaron Loup worked 1 1-3 innings, Sergio Santos got one out in the eighth and Casey Janssen finished for his 24th save in 26 chances.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUDITION UNIVERSITY DANCE COMPANY
Thursday, August 29th 5:30 PM Robinson Center Room 242
Room 242
For more Information, email universitydanceco@gmail.com
DUNN BROS COFFEE
PROVISIONS BAKERY DAFE
w/ purchase of any Provisions
Handcrafted Sandwich or Wraps
One coupon per guest, and all please. May be combined with other offers.
www.BWQ1COPFE.com
WWW.BWQ1COPFE.COM
www.BWQ1COPFE.COM
FREE LARGE DRINK
$3 OFF all 1LB of fresh roasted coffee + A FREE cup of joe!
One cup is spent, per visit. They may not be accompanied with other offers.
Bottled beverages excluded. Visit Dundee.co.uk to find a shop.
PUMM BRIO COFFEE
PUMM BRIO COFFEE
FREE MEDIUM DRINK
w/ purchase of any Provisions Breakfast
Pizza or Breakfast Sandwich
Coffee or tea are not included. Drinks may be purchased with other offers.
Brindled beverages excluded. Vivendi.com must be found a shop.
BWNU BRIDLE
VIVILANDU
FREE DRINK
w/ $30 gift card purchase or reload
One discount per guest per half day. Not combinable with other offers.
Bottled beverages included. Visit Dudley.com to find a shop!
DUNW BOLLOCOFFER
From Dudley.com
1618 W 23rd St
Lawrence, KS 65046
785-865-4211
lawrence.dunnett.com
HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERRY CENTER
FALL ENROLLMENT IS GOING ON NOW www.highlandcc.edu
We are only 15 minutes from the KU campus
Add Highland to your class schedule and save. Just a short commute from the University of Kansas campus. We have what you need!
SMALL CLASS SIZES LOWER COST PER CLASS EASY CREDIT TRANSFER
HIGHLAND PERRY CENTER 203 West Bridge St., Perry, KS (785)597-0127
HIGHLAND CAMPUS 606 W. Main, Highland, KS (785)442-6000
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HCC ONLINE COURSES, CALL (785) 442-6129