THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
FOOTBALL
PAGE 7
Oklahoma State receiver a threat to Kansas
MIKE GUINNEO/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Sophomore cornerback Greg Brown breaks up a pass to Oklahoma State wide reciever Justin Blackmon last season. Blackmon has 38 receptions for 450 yards as well as four touchdowns so far this season
ETHAN PADWAY
epadway@kansan.com
twitter@UDK_B12fball
Last year Blackmon caught 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown in his matchup against the Jayhawks.
Widely regarded as one of the most talented receivers in college football in 2010, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon recorded at least 100 yards receiving and one touchdown reception every game.
"He's just an athlete, a big athlete," sophomore cornerback Tyler Patmon said. "A guy like that who can run and is that tall, he's going to cause problems automatically."
By Blackmon's standards, his numbers have been down this season. He failed to record a touchdown catch in the season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette and only had 57 yards receiving against Tula.
By anyone else's standards, his 38 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns would be considered a pretty good start to the season. He ranks 15th in the nation with 112.5 receiving yards per game.
"He's a dang tough guy to stop," defensive coordinator Vic Shealy said. "A&M tried to do some things to scheme against him, and they had other receivers that in the third quarter blew the game open."
Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden's ability to run the Cowboys' fast-paced offense has contributed greatly to Blackmon's success. The Cowboys run an average of 88.5 plays from scrimmage per game. The tempo tires defenses by preventing them from making substitutions.
The Weeden to Blackmon combo led to 20 touchdown connections last year. This season the duo have led the Cowboys to the NCAA's second-ranked passing offense and third-ranked scoring offense.
"He knows that the quarterback is going to put the ball on
the money, and when a receiver knows that if he runs this route against this coverage, the ball is going to be there time and time again, as a receiver it's pretty good motivation to keep running hard," Shealy said.
Blackmon and the Cowboy's high-flying offense could spell trouble for the Kansas defense. Through the first four games, the Jayhawks rank 108th in the nation in passing and last in scoring defense.
"You always want to take away one of the big, key players from someone's offense, try to see who else can make a play on their offense," junior cornerback Greg Brown said. "It puts stress on their offense. Taking out their
best player makes them have to find another way to beat our defense."
Edited by Jonathan Shorman
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ROBERT J. DOLE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS
Constitution Day Program THURS., OCTOBER 6TH, 7:30 PM
The Federal Health Care Law: Is It Constitutional? WITH CATHERINE STETSON & GREGORY KATSAS
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a requirement that all persons have health insurance coverage starting in 2014. Those who do not will have to pay a "penalty" to the government. One federal court of appeals recently ruled that this requirement exceeds the powers of Congress. Another federal court of appeals ruled that it is essential to make the system work and is within the power of Congress to regulate matters affecting interstate commerce. Ultimately, this issue will have to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court. Experts on both sides will debate this timely and heated topic.
SAB
SAB Fall Forum
THURS., OCTOBER 13TH, 7:30 PM
Islam at KU
A STUDENT PANEL DISCUSSION
The Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, along with co-sponsor, the KU Muslim Student Association, host a roundtable discussion on what it means to be Muslim in America. SAB representatives will pose questions to three students from MSA, representing three unique Muslim perspectives.
The Fall of the Soviet Union: 20 Years Later MON., OCTOBER 24TH, 3:00 PM
Film Screening of Orange Revolution AN EVENT ASSOCIATED WITH OUR SERIES ON THE SOVIET UNION
The Dole Institute features a screening of "Orange Revolution" a film which captures the spirit and the determination of the most successful political protest of the decade - a nonviolent victory which reverberates with meaning for citizens the world over. This program co-sponsored by CREES and CGIS.
Dole Institute Forum
WED., OCTOBER 26TH, 7:30 PM
An Evening with Dr. Akbar Ahmed CONSIDERED THE WORLD'S LEADING AUTHORITY ON ISLAM
Noted by the BBC as "the world's leading authority on contemporary Islam." Dr. Akbar Ahmed discusses American Muslims in a society dealing with national security, as well as Muslim topics from around the globe.
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