Volume 124 Issue 32
kansan.com
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
COMMENTARY
Football shouldn't stop at halftime
The Jayhawks sit at a 2-2 record and need to change their halftime routine if Kansas intends to win again this year.
Much of the blame for this season's lopsided scores has been placed on an inept Kansas defense that statistically has given up more points per game than any team in the country. However, a key problem has been Kansas' inability to make in-game adjustments.
Going into halftime the last two games, Kansas trailed by only four points, for a combined score of 48-44. The Jayhawks would then go on to get outscored 63-14 in the second half and 49-0 in the third quarter alone.
It really is a tale of two halves for a Kansas team that has shown the ability to contend with superior competition for just 30 minutes of a game. A lot can be said for why Kansas disappears in the second half, but it mostly comes down to the opponent making changes and Kansas staying complacent.
Kansas' defense will have trouble stopping any upcoming opponents, so the offense must carry the load for the entire game, not just one half. Saturday couldn't have started any better for the offense, which controlled the entire tempo of the first quarter and grabbed a 20-0 lead.
As the game progressed, Kansas' play-calling became increasingly predictable, and Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville recognized and reacted to the obvious patterns in Turner Gill's game plan.
As much as fans will point at the defense, sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb and the offense are just as much of a concern at this point. From a talent and depth standpoint, the Jayhawks cannot afford to throw careless interceptions or give away downs with predictable play-calling. The "Jayhawk" formation (Kansas' variation of a wildcat formation), in particular, has been extremely ineffective without using a passing option.
For Kansas to have any chance going forward, the offense needs to maintain its effectiveness for the entire game. Whatever Kansas is doing at halftime clearly isn't working, because the Jayhawks have looked unfocused in the second half. It has shown on the scoreboard.
Kansas' schedule is not going to do Gill and his staff any favors — the Jayhawks' next four games are against ranked opponents — so any changes the staff makes to the halftime preparations will carry a risk. One thing is for sure; Kansas' second-half performances will only get worse if the staff continues with the same approach.
Edited by Laura Nightengale
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GLORY DAYS
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
HOPING FOR A REPEAT
Turner Gill leaves the field Saturday after Kansas' homecoming game against Texas Tech. As a quarterback in 1981, Gill led Nebraska to defeat Oklahoma State.
As quarterback, Gill led Nebraska to a victory against Oklahoma State in 1981
MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
@UDK tbal
Coach Turner Gill has done it before. Gill has gone in to Stillwater against an Oklahoma State team with one of its sides of the ball being a top ranked asset, and won. He just hasn't done it since his playing days.
Nine games into Nebraska's 1981 season and five games into Gill's career as a starting quarterback, the Cornhuskers traveled onto Oklahoma State's turf. The matchup would pit the dazzling offensive efforts of No. 11 Nebraska's new mobile sophomore quarterback, Gill, against Oklahoma State's top-ranked defense.
By all means, Nebraska was
On Nebraska's first drive, Gill ran across the goal line for a four-yard touchdown, taking an early 7-0 lead against Oklahoma State. Nebraska's second possession ended the same way. Gill lead the Cornhuskers down the field again and recorded a nine-yard touchdown run, extending the Cornhuskers' lead.
supposed to win that game, but it wasn't supposed to end it early in the third quarter.
The Oklahoma State defense held Nebraska scoreless in the second quarter, but the 15 minutes of shutout defense were the last successful minutes for the Cowboys.
Gill threw a nine-yard touchdown pass for the Cornhusker's
first score of the second half and his day was about done. After a 69-yard run to the endzone, Nebraska had a 30-1 lead and Gill was pulled from the game.
offense, averaging 46.75 points per game.
He had just dismantled one of the best defenses of 1981. Oklahoma State gave up an average of 18 points per game that season. Nebraska finished with 54 points.
When asked about his memorable performance in Stillwater during yesterday's Big 12 Media Teleconference, Gill had a tough time recalling his performance that day.
"It was a long time ago, I'm getting a little older," Gill said as he chuckled. "All I can remember is it's great to play in that stadium and there's been a lot of great
players at Oklahoma State. I was just blessed and fortunate to have some success there."
On Saturday, Gill will once again lead his team into Stillwater. He will not be in pads passing and running for Tom Osborne. He'll be the head-honcho now, hoping that one of his players can replicate his 1981 performance.
Unlike 1981, the Jayhawks have nothing on paper to counter the Cowboys explosive offense. Their defense ranks 119 out of 120 Division IA teams, with Rice holding the last place honor, as they give up, on average, 4.75 yards more per game than Kansas.
The circumstances are different. Kansas opened as a 29-point underdog to the Cowboys. The money has shifted No. 6 Oklahoma State's way, as the spread has moved to 32.5.
Just like in 1981, the Cowboys have a top-ranked component to their team. The Oklahoma State offense ranks third in the country in total yards and sixth in scoring
Gill's challenge in Stillwater as a player was tough, but his challenge this week may be even tougher. He has led a team to victory once in Stillwater, but he's going to have his hands full this week as he prepares his team for another difficult matchup against the Cowboys.
KORY CARPENTER
kcarpenter@kansan.com
Robinson among nation's elite players
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Edited by C.J. Matson
Junior forward Thomas Robinson has been named to the John R. Wooden Award watch list for the upcoming season, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Monday. Each October, the club selects 50 players as potential recipients of the award. The Wooden Award annually recognizes college basketball's best player following the regular season.
Robinson averaged 7.6 points per game last season and will be the Jayhawks' primary option in the post this season with the departures of Marcus and Markieff Morris to the NBA.
According to rivals.com, Robinson was the 31st ranked recruit in the class of 2009. In his freshman campaign he came off the bench to average 7.2 minutes a game for the 2009-2010 team, which won the Big 12 regular season championship. Last season he assumed a larger role for coach Bill Self. Robinson played alongside the Morris twins in the post, averaged 14.6 minutes per game and helped lead Kansas
Three other Big 12 players join Robinson on the list. They are Missouri senior Marcus Denmon, Baylor sophomore Perry Jones III, and Texas A&M junior Kris Middleton.
Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger is the only returning Wooden Award all-American on the list. North Carolina has four players on the top 50 list, the first school to ever accomplish the feat. Those players include Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall and John Henson.
Many Kansas fans expect Robinson's production to improve again this year. Kansas has a young frontcourt and Robinson will be the only returning forward that averaged more than seven minutes per game last season.
This season marks the 36th time the award will be given to the nation's best player. Danny Manning won the award in 1988 making him the only Kansas player to ever receive such an honor.
to another Big 12 regular season title.
- Edited by Adam Strunk
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