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HURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Cornerback JaCorey Shepherd intercepts a pass against Texas Christian University. Shepherd has been named a finalist for the 2014 Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award.
Kansas takes confidence in offense to Oklahoma
STELLA LIANG
@steny_nang
While Oklahoma's season has been slowly fading, by Sooner standards at least, Kansas' season has been on an uptick, starting with the offense.
When these two teams meet on Saturday in Norman, Okla., the Jayhawks are confident they can continue their recent string of improved showings.
"Tremendous challenge for us, a game we look forward to, a chance for our team to go down and play in a great college football environment," interim coach Clint Bowen said. "We're looking forward to the opportunity."
When the season started, the consensus was the defense was the strength of the team, and the offense was the wildcard. Lately, both sides have started coming together. The last two games, the team has scored at least 30 points.
Junior quarterback Michael Cummings said having the ability to score more points has helped all facets of the game.
"That helps confidence on the offense," Cummings said. "It probably helps confidence throughout the whole team, that we've come to a point where we can put up points consistently. Relying on the defense to hold people to 10 points, you're not going to win many games in the Big 12."
The increase in scoring has
provided benefits not just within a game, but from game to game. Instead of wondering if the points will come, the team has built upon its improvements.
"It's helped us ride momentum week to week," Cummings said.
Senior tight end Jimmay
"We're playing better, less hurting ourselves, where we're not costing ourselves as much as we were."
JIMMAY MUNDINE Senior tight end
Mundine and junior wide receiver Nigel King have emerged as go-to players for Cummings to throw to. They each had a touchdown and over 100 receiving yards against TCU last Saturday.
Cummings said a different mentality has brought about the changes. Players are allowed more freedom and to take chances.
"The different feel that we have when we're out there on the field," Cummings said. "I think it's one where we're just not afraid to make mistakes. I mean we don't make many, but having that freedom and confidence, it allows you to play at a higher level."
Mundine simply attributes
the success to "guys just coming together" and making the most of opportunities
"I truly believe it's the same thing, opportunities," Mundine said. "You get a few and you make a couple plays, and you see maybe you have something there that you want to use more... The thing with me, Nigel and Mike, is that we continue to make plays and keep drives going and keeping guys pumped up"
This week's opponent, Oklahoma, was once the top team in the Big 12. However, after losses to TCU, Kansas State and Baylor, the Sooners have dropped to the middle of the pack. Last week, they struggled against Texas Tech, needing a second-half comeback to defeat the Red Raiders.
Oklahoma will start freshman Cody Thomas at quarterback for the injured Trevor Knight. Thomas made his first career start against Texas Tech.
The Sooners are looking for their 10th straight victory over the Jayhawks, and Kansas has not won in Norman since 1997.
But the team, starting with the offense, is ready for its next challenge.
"We're playing better, less hurting ourselves, where we're not costing ourselves as much as we were," Mundine said.
ZACH LONG/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Edited by Drew Parks
OPPOSING SIDELINE
The Kansan's Dan Harmsen sat down with Jason Kersey, football beat writer for the Oklahoman, to discuss Saturday's matchup
ZACH LONG/ASSOCIATED PRESS Oklahoma's Eric Striker sacks Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes during the game in Lubbock, Texas, on Nov. 15.
DAN HARMSEN
@udk_dan
KANSAN: In his 16th season at Oklahoma, Bob Stoops is the second most winningest active head coach in college football (.799) and has a sterling 89-7 record at home. This year's team is strong again, 7-3 and 4-3 in the Big 12, and to this day, Stoops has yet to lose to Kansas, outscoring the Jayhawks by an average margin of 38.3-14.0. However, heading into 2014, many thought Oklahoma was a National Championship contender and Kansas was without a prayer. That hype lasted until about October, when the Sooners dropped two of their three games. What is the general feel in Norman on the state of OU football?
JASON: Fans don't feel great about OU football right now, which may sound crazy to people who follow a program like Kansas. Sooner fans definitely have a tendency to get spoiled. Having said that, there is no question that the program has dipped a bit since appearing in the 2008 National Championship game. Since that season, the Sooners have only won one outright Big 12 title (personally, I don't think the 2012 "co-championship" with K-State should count). The Sugar Bowl stunner over Alabama seemed to change everything, but so far this season, OU obviously hasn't lived up to that standard.
KANSAN: Historically speaking, Oklahoma is the highest-scoring team in college football. This year, the team is averaging 38.8 points per game, but what is Kansas looking at with freshman Cody Thomas filling in at quarterback?
JASON: Thomas was seen as a more pro-style quarterback than Trevor Knight, but last weekend at Texas Tech, Thomas looked really good running the ball. In fact, he actually looked better in many ways running the ball than Knight, just because of his instincts. Thomas also has a very good arm, despite the three interceptions he threw in Lubbock. I don't think people should read too much into that, though. It was his first career start in a hostile environment and on a windy day. He'll only get better from there.
KANSAN: I know the Sooners always have receiving threats, so who are some players we should beware of?
JASON: The only really, really serious receiving threat
the Sooners have had this year is Sterling Shepard, who has been nothing short of phenomenal when he's been healthy. However, he's missed the majority of the last three games with a nagging groin injury. Junior Durron Neal and freshman Michiah Quick and K.J. Young have all been solid at different points this season.
KANSAN: How crucial has freshman running back Samaje Perine been in keeping the wheels on the Sooner Schooner from falling off in light of quarterback Trevor Knight's neck injury?
JASON: Taking the whole season into considération, Perine has been the best player on this team. He's the first 1,000-yard rusher for OU since DeMarco Murray in 2010, and only the fifth OU freshman to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season ever. If Perine hadn't been able to take over in the second half last weekend at Texas Tech, Oklahoma could definitely have lost its fourth game of the season.
KANSAN: In nonconference play, Oklahoma allowed just 11 points per game on defense, but through pony conference games, the Sooners have surrendered 31.2. They're 14th in rushing defense, but 118th in passing yards allowed. Am 1 making too much of this because the Big 12 will just do that to you, or is something up with Mike Stoops' defense?
JASON: The Sooner secondary is really inexperienced, particularly in two of the three safety spots OU regularly uses.
Also, true freshman Jordan Thomas is starting at one of the cornerback spots because of an injury. It's just a young group, and they're making rookie mistakes. There's reason to believe this secondary will be a lot better next season.
KANSAN: The oft-overlooked special teams department has cost Kansas at least two possible wins this season. Is this an area where Oklahoma can take advantage, especially with Alex Ross returning kicks?
JASON: Alex Ross has proven himself to be one of the elite kick returners in America this season, but teams have gotten creative in trying to find ways to limit him the past several weeks. If he catches the ball and finds any open space, he's gone. The Sooners, though, have been really poor in the punt return department this season.
KANSAN: One of the few remaining Big 8 matchups post-conference realignment, Kansas and Oklahoma meet on Saturday for the 105th time dating back to 1903. Oklahoma opened as 28.5 point favorites — do they cover this week? What's the final score?
JASON: I'm picking the Sooners to win 59-20, just because I think they still hold a significant talent edge over the Jayhawks. I have been really impressed with the job Clint Bowen has done, though, as interim head coach, and think he be a solid choice to get the full time job.
QUC
Edited by Jordan Fox
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