PAGE 6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PRESENTED BY PREVIEW WAVE
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
The Kansas offense struggled mightily against Kansas State, along with the rest of the team. The Jayhawks were shut out in the first and third quarters, while the Wildcats scored 28 points in that time. Kansas' two fumbles were costly, as Kansas State was able to convert off of the mistakes. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb was one of the lone bright spots, completing 21 of 28 passes for 169 yards.
ETHAN PADWAY
epadway@kansan.com
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Jordan Webb 2 So.
HB James Sims 29 So.
FB Nick Sizemore 45 So.
WR Kale Pick 7 Jr.
WR D.J. Beshears 20 Jr.
TE Tim Biere 86 Sr.
RT Tanner Hawkinson 72 Jr.
RG Duane Ziatnik 67 Jr.
C Jeremiah Hatch 77 Sr.
LG Trevor Marrongelli 69 Jr.
LT Jeff Spikes 74 Sr.
K Alex Mueller 10 Fr.
DEFENSE
The games keep on coming for the Kansas defense, but the numbers don't get any better. Kansas allowed 59 points to a Kansas State team that had the 94th best offense coming in to the game. The Wildcats frequently marched down the field with little disturbance, finishing the game with 466 yards. The defense will face another tough test against Texas, but the opportunity to face two freshmen quarterbacks should give the defense hope during an otherwise dark time.
Pos. NAME No. Year
DE Toben Opurum 35 Jr.
DT Patrick Dorsey 92 Sr.
DE Pat Lewandowski 91 Fr.
RE Keba Agostinho 96 So.
MLB Steven Johnson 52 Sr.
MLB Darius Willis 2 So.
OLB Tunde Bakare 17 Jr.
CB Isiah Barfield 19 Sr.
CB Greg Brown 5 Jr.
FS Keeston Terry 9 Fr.
SS Bradley McDougald 24 Jr.
P Ron Dohrity 13 So.
BY THE NUMBERS
38
The number of players on the Kansas roster from Texas
The number of victories Kansas has against Texas — both came before 1939.
AT A GLANCE
MOMENTUM
Coming off a 59-21 loss to Kansas State, Kansas is trying to pick up the pieces of a season that has fallen apart. At 2-5 on the year and 0-4 in Big 12 play, Kansas must win four of its next five games to become bowl eligible. With the schedule ahead easing up a bit, the Jayhawks have a chance to be more competitive, but the opportunities for victories should still be rare.
It's gone. Kansas appeared deflated out of the tunnel against Kansas State and the result on the field showed it. With the coaching staff coming under fire, the Jayhawks will either be able to rally around their coaches or allow it to further deflate a season that had the air begin leaking out a long time ago.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coach Turner Gill said the play of the Kansas special teams has been on track with where he wanted them to be. Junior wide receiver and kick returner D.J. Beshears has 826 yards returning kickoffs this year. He averages 21.7 yards per return and his longest of the season went for 56 yards. Sophomore punter Ron Doherty has kicked eight of his 36 punts longer than 50 yards and has pinned his opponents within the 20-yard line eight times as well.
COACHING
MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
Turner Gill is in the spotlight more than ever after Kansas' lackluster performance against Kansas State. The loss appeared to put frustrated fans over the top, as many have begun to call for Gill's firing. Gill can save and extend his future at Kansas with a victory this Saturday, but he will have to get his players to play at a level that has not been seen in his year and a half at Kansas.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Freshman running back Darrian Miller. The Jayhawks' leading rusher against Kansas State, Miller should see his number of rushing attempts continue to increase as the coaching staff grows more confident in his abilities every week. Miller was a bright spot in the backfield against Oklahoma, rushing for 66 yards, and he'll have to do the same against Texas for the Jayhawks to come on top.
Kansas plays the best it has under Turner Gill. If the defense capitalizes on playing two freshmen quarterbacks and forces a few turnovers — something they haven't done all season — then Baby Jay, Lawrence and Turner Gill might have a reason to finally cheer.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
PREDICTION 42-24, TEXAS
QUESTION MARKS
With Texas rotating two freshmen quarterbacks throughout the game, the Kansas secondary should have an opportunity to capitalize on some rookie mistakes that freshmen usually make. But opposing quarterbacks have been having a field day with the Jayhawk's secondary, so the Longhorns' young quarterbacks will be looking to capitalize with the opportunity ahead as well.
Can the secondary slow down the freshmen quarterbacks for Texas?
QUESTION MARKS
Will Ash or McCoy step up at quarterback?
Since taking over for Garrett, neither player has stepped up and really laid
last week, playing the whole game, but he completed only 55 percent of his passes for 138 yards and two interceptions.
claim to the starting position. Ash had his opportunity
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
The Longhorns have shuffled three quarterbacks around since the start of the season. Garrett Gilbert began the season as the starter, but struggled early and was replaced by the tandem of Case McCoy and David Ash for the game at UCLA. After initial success, the pair struggled in their losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
TEXAS 4-2
Gilbert
McCoy
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB David Ash 14 Fr.
WR Jaxon Shipley 8 Fr.
WR Marquise Goodwin 84 Jr.
WR Mike Davis 1 So.
TE Barrett Matthews 89 Jr.
HB Malcolm Brown 28 Fr.
FB Cody Johnson 11 Sr.
LT Josh Cochran 68 Fr.
LG David Snow 78 Sr.
C Dominic Espinosa 55 Fr.
RG Mason Walters 17 So.
RT Trey Hopkings 75 So.
K Justing Tucer 19 Sr.
DEFENSE
Texas runs a blitz-heavy defensive scheme, led by seniors Alex Okafer and Emmanuel Acho. They will try to use the blitz to stop the Jayhawks running game behind the line of scrimpage and force Jordan Webb into third-and-long situations.
Okafor
Acho
Pos. NAME No. Year
DE Jackson Jeffcoat 44 So.
NT Kheeston Randall 91 Sr.
DT Calvin Howell 90 So.
DE Alex Okafor 80 Jr.
OLB Jordan Hicks 3 So.
MLB Deenan Robinson 1 Sr.
OLB Emmanuel Acho 18 Sr.
CB Quandre Diggs 28 Fr.
FS Kenny Vaccaro 4 Jr.
SS Blake Gideon 21 Sr.
CB Carrington Byndom 23 So.
P Justin Tucker 19 Sr.
BY THE NUMBERS
17
Texas has won 17 of its last 18 games that were decided by three points or less.
Five different players have thrown a touchdown pass for the Longhorns this year.
COACHING
Mack Brown is in his 14th year at the helm of the Longhorns. He has a 137-35 record at Texas and has led them to two BCS championship games – winning in 2005. Brown was named Big 12 coach of the year twice, in 2005 and 2009.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Running Back Macolm Brown: The Longhorns' offense centers on the running game, and their most talented runner is Brown. He is averaging five yards per carry and has surpassed the 100-yard mark twice this season. If the Texas offense is going to get going, it will be on the back of Brown.
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF ...
Fozzy Whittaker takes the opening kickoff back to the house. The Longhorn fans in attendance will get loud and the Jahyhaws offense won't be able respond, leading to another blowout defeat.
Texas is a young team trying to rebound from its first losing season under coach Mack Brown. This season the Longhorns have seen mixed results, opening the season with four victories before dropping two straight games to top 10 teams. The Jayhawks offer a chance for the Longhorns to notch a victories.
MOMENTUM
The Longhorns could use some momentum after losing two straight games. The struggling Jayhawks could provide the perfect confidence booster.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Longhorns' running back Fozzy Whittaker is leading the nation in kick returns, averaging 46.5 yards per return. Senior Justin Tucker handles the punting and kicking duties for the Longhorns, making eight of his nine field goal attempts on the year.
TH
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