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PAGE 8
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Bowen: Quarterback position not set in stone
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
Kansas interim coach Clint Bowen looks on during the second quarter of the game against West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday. West Virginia won 33-14.
In his first week in his new role with Kansas football, interim coach Clint Bowen said he was going to give everyone a shot to earn playing time in the remainder of the 2014 season.
"There are going to be guys who get some chance to get some playing time, if they earn it," Bowen said.
At the time, the comments from his weekly presser were about players getting their fair shot at some time in special teams.
But little did Bowen know that a week later he would be making the same statements in his weekly Big 12 teleconference — this time regarding the most important position on the field, the quarterback.
"I told our guys on the team, that every position, you're going to earn the right to play." Bowen said. "If the guy behind you earns it more, then that guy is going to play."
In Bowen's debut, Kansas fell to West Virginia 33-14 on the road. Last season the Jayhawks defeated the Mountaineers in their lone conference victory.
This year,shouldering much of the blame for the loss, is sophomore quarterback Montell Cozart. Cozart received his first collegiate win against the Mountaineers as a freshman.
In Saturday's loss, Cozart was 4-for-10 with 42 yards. The week prior Cozart threw a career-high four interceptions against Texas that pushed former coach Charlie Weis out the door.
Under Bowen, Cozart appeared to have a rather short leash. Bowen pulled Cozart after the first half, putting in redshirt junior Michael Cummings. Cummings didn't fair much better as he was 8-for-17 with 65 vards.
Even third-string quarterback sophomore transfer T.J. Millweard saw some action. He completed his only pass for four yards but spent a majority of the time handing the ball off.
Now the question remains: Who will be under center for
the Jayhawks in Bowen's home debut against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State?
"There are certain things that you control as the quarterback and whichever guy is going to control those better is going to play," Bowen said.
"If the guy behind you earns it more, then that guy is going to play."
CLINT BOWEN Interim coach
Weis announced Cozart was the starter after an impressive spring. Cozart seemed like the perfect fit for this new spread offense designed by first-year
Cozart has rushed for an average of just 11 yards per game thus far. He has completed less than half his pass attempts and has thrown seven interceptions.
offensive coordinator John Reagan.
If Bowen decides to go in a different direction this week, it will be the third consecutive year Kansas will have had a different quarterback start a game who didn't start the season opener.
Regardless of which of the three quarterbacks start, the position will be closely observed for the remainder of the year. If Kansas can't find the answer at the most important position on the field, it could very likely finish last in the Big 12, once again.
—Edited by Alex Lamb
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TCU players and fans celebrate a 37-33 win over Oklahoma after the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
Big 12 Notebook: TCU rises after upset of Oklahoma
STELLA LIANG
@stelly_liang
1. NO. 5 BAYLOR 5-0 (2-0 BIG
Last time out: Won at Texas 287
For the first time all season, Baylor scored less than 45 points. Quarterback Bryce Petty struggled in the passing game, not throwing his first touchdown pass until halfway through the third quarter. None of this hindered Baylor. The Bears showed off other facets of their game, including a touchdown from a blocked field goal in the first quarter.
Trending: Up
Next up: vs. No. 9 TCU
Trending: Up
2. NO. 9 TCU 4-0 (1-0)
Last time out: Won vs. Oklahoma
ma 37-33
TCU made a statement Saturday. In their third season in the conference, the Horned Frogs are showing they belong at the top. TCU and Oklahoma had nearly the same number of total yards (469 to 461), passing yards (318 to 309) and rushing yards (151 to 152), but TCU kept coming up with timely plays, including a pick-six off Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight in the fourth quarter.
Trending: Up
Next up: at No. 5 Baylor
4. NO.17 KANSAS STATE 4-1
Trending: Down
Next up: vs. Texas
3. NO. 11 OKLAHOMA 4-1 (1-1)
Last time out: Lost at TCU
In previous games, when the Sooners saw their opponents getting closer, they finished them off and made the plays to win. Against TCU, the mistakes piled up. Quarterback Trevor Knight was 14-of-35 (37 percent) for one touchdown and one interception. This dropped his season completion percentage to 55 percent.
33-37
(2-0)
Last time out: Won vs. Texas
Tech 45-13
Usually conference games are more competitive because of the familiarity and similar caliber of teams. In this backdrop, K-State put on the most dominant performance of the week. The offense rolled. The attack was balanced as quarterback Jake Waters threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns while the team combined for 245 rushing yards and two scores.
Trending: Same Next up: Bye week
5. NO. 16 OKLAHOMA STATE
4-1 (1-1)
Lost time out. Won us. Iowa
Last time out: Won vs. Iowa
State 37-20
The Cowboys let the Cyclones stick around before making big plays in the second half. Oklahoma State went into halftime with a seven-point lead, but added to it almost immediately out of the locker room. Tyeek Hill returned the kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
Trending: Same
Next up: at Kansas
6. WEST VIRGINIA 3-2 (1-1)
Last time out: Won vs. Kansas
33-14
Quarterback Clint Trickett was average and the offense was shut out in the second half, but the Mountaineers rolled anyway. By halftime, West Virginia had built a 26-0 lead, including seven points on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Trickett to Kevin White.
Trending: Same
Next up: at Texas Tech
7. TEXAS TECH 2-3 (0-2)
Last time out: Lost at Kansas
State 13-45
The Red Raiders continue to make mistakes. They committed nine penalties for 89 yards. Quarterback Davis Webb threw
a career-high four interceptions, and the running game was nonexistent. The defense allowed K-State to do whatever it wanted. Trending: Same
Next up: vs. West Virginia
8. TEXAS 2-3 (1-1)
Last time out: Lost vs. Baylor
7-28
The Longhorns have an inconsistent offense, and against the Bears, could not muster much. Quarterback Tyrone Swoops completed 16 of 34 passes for 144 yards. Combined with his zero touchdowns and two interceptions, it led to a quarterback rating of 7.2. The offensive struggles hide the fact that the defense played well and contained the potent Baylor offense.
Tending: Down Next up: vs. Oklahoma
9. IOWA STATE 1-4 (0-3)
Last time out: Lost at Okla-
moa State 20-37
The Cyclones keep coming up with the same story — playing well enough to threaten, but ultimately falling. The biggest news came after the game, when Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Polland criticized the officiating crew.
irending: Same
Next up: vs. Toledo
10. KANSAS 2-3 (D-2)
Last time out: lost at West
Virginia 14-33
Different coach. Same story. The offense, while using three different quarterbacks, had a lot of difficulty scoring. The defense shut out WVU, and the special teams came up big. The road-losing streak has been extended to 29.
Trending: Same
Next up: vs. Oklahoma State
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