PAGE 5
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL
Dorsey returns, provides depth
ETHAN PADWAY
epadway@kansan.com
twitter.com/UDK_B12Fball
Kansas' defense received a much-needed boost when senior defensive tackle Patrick Dorsey returned to practice last week after sitting out since breaking his foot
Dorsey is expected to play on Saturday and will add experience to a young defense that ranks last in scoring defense in the Big 12.
Dorsey
"It's going to help us out a lot," senior linebacker Steven Johnson said. "It will give us more depth on the D-line, and the D-line will be able to rotate. If the D-line keeps those offensive linemen off the linebackers, then we're going to create a pass rush and different holes will open up."
Dorsey could create a ripple effect across a Kansas defense that has forced an NCAA-low one turnover.
Dorsey was named Kansas' defensive player of the week twice last season, including in one of the layhawks' finest defensive performances of the season against Nebraska. Dorsey had four tackles and one forced fumble in that game.
"It's going to help a lot because it comes down to it, that penetration and that pressure on the quarterback allows the timing to get messed up, and that's when the interceptions come," sophomore cornerback Tyler Patmon said.
Whether Dorsey can make his presence known immediately will be seen on Saturday. He was still on crutches just three weeks ago, but Dorsey said he is 100 percent and ready to go.
"I hope he can play every snap Saturday," defensive coordinator Vic Shealy said. "We wouldn't do that to him, but you hope that he could."
Shealy said he would try to minimize Dorsev's snaps this week.
"I'd be easy as a coach to put him out there and let him go to see how he feels," Shealy said. "But as a coach we just need to be wise and let him work into it."
Shealy said although Dorsey is not the biggest guy — he weighs just 273 pounds at a position where players routinely weigh more than 300 pounds — but he possesses a unique combination of speed and strength that can challenge offensive linemen.
Dorsey has 35 career tackles in 21 games for the Jayhawks. Going into the season, he was a projected starter at defensive tackle.
Dorsey did not travel with the team to Atlanta and watched the game on TV.
I wish I was out there," Dorsey said. "But at the same time, I wasn't. We lost that game. It was a tough loss, but at the same time, we're going to bounce back this week."
He will now finally be able to bring his enthusiasm from the sideline to the field.
"I'm so excited," he said, "being a senior and being a part of this defense, to be able to help those guys."
Edited by Jayson Jenks
BIG 12 FOOTBALL
Kansas State charged with stopping Baylor
MANHATTAN — Nothing like proving your worth as a defense with a game-winning goal line stand during a road game against a nationally recognized opponent. Now, Kansas State returns home to face a Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the best offenses in the country.
Life doesn't get any easier for the Wildcats against No. 15 Baylor on Saturday
While holding Eastern Kentucky to 129 yards of offense and Kent State to
199 in its first two games didn't elicit much national praise, Kansas State's 28-24 upset at Miami last Saturday certainly turned some heads.
"There was that doubt across the nation because we'd stopped some offenses, but we hadn't stopped any notable offences," defensive end Jordan Voelker said.
There was much ado about the speed of Miami's offense going into last week's game, especially after the Hurricanes knocked off nationally ranked Ohio State.
Associated Press
FIGHTING FOR THE GOAL
PHOTOS BY ASHLEIGH LEE
Kansas fights to maintain control of the puck Tuesday night during its game against Missouri. The game was held at the Sprint Center following the Los Angeles Kings against Pittsburgh Penguins game.
Sophomore guard Cooper Frederick and freshman forward Vic Greenberg celebrate after scoring a Tuesday night at the Sprint center against Missouri.