THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
MCNEESE 24
PAGE 5
REWIND
MIKE GUNNOVE/KANSAN
Sophomore wide receiver Christian Mathews tries to catch a pass from sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb Saturday. Defensive interference was called on the play against McNeese State.
FOOTBALL CONTINUED | 10
The McNeese State offense finished with 420 yards, including 248 of them after halftime.
didn't translate into the same successful performance as the offense.
McNeese State torched Kansas with short passes and screens in the flat. The Jayhawks would then use their speed and usually get two or three players in on the tackle.
The soft zone most likely is a strategy that will only be used for the Cowboys, as the jayhawks knew they would be OK as long as they didn't get beat with the big play.
Still, the two McNeese State quarterbacks completed 31 of 41 attempts, a number the Jayhawks hope they won't see come conference play.
"They have a very good screen game," defensive coordinator Vic Shealy said. "Some of the complexities off of it is better than what you actually see in the Big 12."
For the most part, though, the Jayhawks passed their first test on Saturday. They soundly beat their opponent, executing their game plan exactly how they wanted.
They ran the ball around and through the McNeese State defense, threw the ball downfield safely and successfully and didn't get torched on the big play defensively.
Most of all, they showed improvement and put away fears that 2011 will be a repeat performance of what happened last year.
Edited by Jayson Jenks
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Freshman wide receiver JaCole Shepherd runs along the sidelines in attempt to make a touchdown Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Shepherd had three receptions during the game against McNeese State.
COMMENTARY CONTINUED | 10
source of enthusiasm, especially during the time of the Border War, when held occasionally deliver his famous pre-game speeches (Fambrough refused to call it a "showdown" after the schools renamed the rivalry game. "It's a damn war!" he'd say).
"He taught me about the Missouri rivalry and taught me how to play with love for the game because KU's never been an outstanding, great football team," senior linebacker Steven Johnson
said. "But he told us that you've got to have love for the game and you've got to go out there and play with passion, play with strength and play because you love it."
In a college football landscape where coaches and players are more likely to make headlines for breaking rules and acting selfishly, we could certainly use more people like Don Fambrough. But there will never be anyone to replace the original.
— Edited by Laura Nightengale
Game Balls
1. Freshman Runningback Tony Pierson: Pierson didn't touch the ball much, but when he did, he electrified Memorial stadium with his explosiveness. On his first career carry for the Jayhawks he broke off a 47 yard run.
2. Senior Linebacker Steven Johnson: Johnson set a new career-high as he led the Jayhawks with 15 tackles, including two for a loss. Johnson also forced the only turnover on either side when he forced McNeese QB Riley Dodge to fumble on McNeese State's last possession.
3. Freshman Receiver JaCorey Shepherd: Shepherd led the Jayhawks with 107 yards on three catches and two touchdowns.
Delay of Games
1. McNese State Kicker Josh Lewis. Lewis missed a 33 yard field goal badly, then later missed a PAT when his kick ricocheted off the goal post.
2. McNese State runningback Andre Anderson: Anderson was ineffective crushing against the Jayhawks defense. He amassed just 24 yards on 10 carries.
3. Freshman Safety Keeston Terry: Terry struggled at times, getting turned around in pass coverage in his first start as a Jayhawk. He'll have to improve as the offenses the Jayhawks will only get better as Big 12 play roles around.
Play of the Game
Sophomore Quarterback Jordan Webb's touchdown pass to freshman receiver JaCorey Shepherd, where Shepherd leapt in front of a pass intended for Junior receiver Kale Pick. Shepherd took the ball to the endzone for a 56 yard touchdown.
Schedule
DATE OPPONENT RESULT/TIME
SEPT. 3 MCNEESE STATE W. 42-24
SEPT.10 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 6:00 P.M.
SEPT. 17 GEORGA TECH 11:30 A.M.
OCT. 1 TEXAS TECH TBA
OCT. 8 OKLAHOMA STATE TBA
OCT. 15 OKLAHOMA TBA
OCT. 22 KANSAS STATE TBA
OCT. 29 TEXAS TBA
NOV. 5 IOWA STATE TBA
NOV. 12 BAYLOR TBA
NOV. 19 TEXAS A&M TBA
NOV. 26 MISSOURI TBA
DEC. 22 CALIFORNIA 11:00 A.M.
DEC. 26 MISSOURI 11:00 A.M.
Quote of the game
"I definitely had my eye on the ball when it was coming, my way and was getting ready to catch it and run with it, but JaCorey came on the crossing route and caught it. He made a great play too. I saw a guy trailing him real quick so I had to make a block so he could get in."
Junior receiver Kate Pick on JaCorey Shepherd's first career touchdown reception.
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Pick
AUTHENTIC ELEKTRIAN
Freshman running back Anthony
Pierson swiftly moves to avoid getting tackled in Saturday nights opening season game against McNeese State.
Pierson had a total of five rushes during the game.
Biggest Answer
The Jayhawks didn't throw the ball much, but they were effective when they did. Sophomore Quarterback Jordan Webb erased any doubts, if there were any left from the offseason quarterback competition, about who will be leading the offense. His deep ball looked good, even though they fell to the turf due to pass interference penalties.
Still Questioning
The Kansas defensive game plan for defending the screen pass. The Jayhawks struggled to defend against the screen pass. McNesee State running back Champai Babin caught five passes for 108
yards and a touchdown against the Jay hawks.
Looking ahead
Northern Illinois will be a tough test for the Jayhawks defense. They present a balanced attack on offense that gained 220 yards through the air and 289 on the ground as they defeated Army 49-26, while holding Army to just six points in the first three quarters. Senior Quarterback Chandler Harnish threw for five touchdowns in the contest.
Good, Bad, or Just Plain Stuid
State 17. Both offenses exceed expectations, we'll consider the prediction good considering how hard it is to judge how such a young team will come out of the gates.
Original prediction Kansas 34 McNeese
Final Thought
The Jayhawks rushing attack showed promise that it could become a four-headed monster during the season. They dominated the McNeese defense for 316 yards. Don't expect the Jayhawks to be able to run the ball 55 times every game, but after what they showed in the opener, this season the Jayhawks success will stem from the ground game.
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