4B SPORTS
BIG 12 FOOTBLL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2009
Defense slows the spread
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
By the fourth quarter last Saturday in Manhattan, the curtain revealing the game's tone had been pulled back.
Kansas simply struggled to effectively run the ball. Kansas State revolved almost solely on a wide variety of run plays.
So when Kansas State's offense took to the field holding a 17-10 lead with 5:20 left in the game, there was certainly no secret as to the type of plays circulating around the offensive huddle: The Wildcats were going to run the ball.
Kansas State did just that, methodically working the clock down to zero thanks to a successful ground attack.
In last weekend's game, Kansas rushed for 60 yards on 23 carries. Kansas State, meanwhile, rushed for 266 yards on 43 carries.
Two years ago — heck, last year even — the thought of a team grinding out 43 carries seemed delusional. Not in the offensive-happy Big 12 where high-scoring shootouts and potent aerial attacks developed into the conference's norm.
"It's changing," cornerback coach Ne'Jey Jackson said. "I think people are seeing that you can't really throw it that many times because it puts the defense on the field that much more. I never saw
it coming."
Teams in the Big 12 are toning down wild offensive tactics. Last weekend the Wildcats mostly ran the ball, leaving Kansas behind 17-10. Weston White/KANSAS
Yet coach Mark Mangino said the tides started subtly changing last year. This season the once wild, big Big 12 has generally been tame.
Teams are averaging 40 fewer yards per game than last year. Defensive struggles are becoming more common.
So what does it all mean for the spread — the offense of the 2000s that rocked the college football landscape less than five years ago?
"This is just an observation," Mangino said. "I can't tell you I have any facts behind it. But more and more teams in our conference are slowly but surely fading out of the spread offense."
Other signs of slowing the spread persist in the Big 12.
Iowa State defeated Nebraska 9-7 earlier this season. Nebraska knocked off Oklahoma 10-3 last Saturday in a defensive-centered game.
Last season, Oklahoma and Texas combined for 80 points in the Red River Rivalry. This season the two schools totaled 29 points
A question, then, arises: Are defenses that much better or are offenses simply struggling more than in the past?
"In '07 and '08, our conference was just running wild," Jackson said. "This year I think the defenses have finally caught up to it."
Personnel and injury problems have plagued many teams in the conference this season.
more complicated than that.
Oklahoma, who scored just three points against Nebraska, has played much of the season without quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham. Nebraska has simply struggled to replace former quarterback Joe Ganz.
But the root of the matter is
And then there's the idea that coaches are simply changing their philosophies.
Not too long ago the best teams in the country relied on persistent ground attacks to move the ball. Maybe, as Mangino noted, more coaches are returning to those principles.
Weston White/KANSAN
Kansas has struggled to take care of the ball its last four games — all losses.
The words of Hayes, the legendary former Ohio State coach, certainly still linger today.
"I think it goes back to the old adage that coaches want to run the ball, control the clock and play great defense," Mangino said. "What did Woody Hayes say? 'When you throw the ball, a lot of bad things can happen.'"
But many of those turnovers have been forced, meaning defensive players made a play to trigger the turnover.
True, personnel problems and injuries have slowed offenses. But
defenses are also more adept at stopping the spread.
"Football is an ever-changing deal," offensive coordinator Ed Warriner said. "You have to stay one step ahead. Whatever becomes the most popular thing, that's what people work to stop. Then something else will pop up. It's just a competitive business with smart people on both sides of the ball."
The best defensive teams in the conference — Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska — all share a noticeable trait: Each school has a big and persistent defensive line that often disrupts the rhythm of spread offenses.
Even Kansas has benefited from a more active pass rush compared with last season's oft-stale defensive line.
"There have been times we have broken down in the secondary," Jackson said, "but they got there to make the sack so everyone doesn't see that break down."
Yet college football never stands still. New schemes and approaches are always in the works.
The spread is slowed for now, but that opens another window that defenses must focus on.
"Now, shoot, you have to go and tackle those 230-pound running backs," Jackson said. "It just puts
your guys in a little different positions."
It's a point Mangino made sure to emphasize. He even went as far as to suggest that the wishbone and option offenses of the '70s and '80s could be surfacing again in the near future.
Seriously.
"It's like old clothes." Mangino said. "Hold on to them. They'll come back in style."
Follow Jayson Jenks at twitter.com/JaysonJenks.
Edited by Betsy Cutcliff
MLB
Royals sign switch-hitting infielder from White Sox
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms with infielder Wilson Betemit, a 28-year-old infielder who spent last season in the Chicago White Sox organization.
The Royals signed the switchhitting Betemit to a minor league contract.
He opened last season on the
White Sox roster and hit .200 in 20 games, playing first and third base. In 72 games with Triple-A Charlotte in 2009, he hit .241 with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs.
NFL No-huddle helps crack Broncos' tough defense
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — No longer is the Denver Broncos defense so mystifying. The code has been cracked.
By turning to a version of the no-huddle in the second half, Baltimore and Pittsburgh have each gashed the Broncos for big plays and turned close games into runaways.
The approach also has provided a blueprint on how to solve one of the top defenses in the league.The Broncos (6-2) are expecting to see plenty no-huddle situations Sunday at Washington.
Associated Press
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CROSS COUNTRY
Team travels for competition
BY SAMANTHA ANDERSON
sanderson@kansan.com
This weekend the cross country team will travel to Springfield, Mo for the Midwest Regional Championships.
Saturday both the men's and the women's team will be competing to extend their season to nationals.
The top two teams in the men's and the women's regionals will move on in the competition. The top four runners that aren't attached to a national team will also compete in nationals.
"It's about going out there and trying to have the best race possible, everyone the winning the best race they can," said sophomore Rebeka Stowe. "At this point it's almost kind of out of our hands on whether or not we are going to make it to nationals."
The women's team had a strong showing last week at the Big 12 Competition, with some runners, like Stowe, having break-out type races.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
"I think last week was more just, for me personally, believing in the training we were doing." Stowe said.
The men's team will have more to overcome.
UNIVERSIDAD KAUFMAN PHILIPSON
Alison Knoll finishes strong at the Bob Timmons Invitational meet at Rim Rock Farm on Saturday Morning. As a team, Klik took first place.
"I think if we are fourth or better it's because we really put everything together on the right day, which is difficult to do." Assistant Coach Michael Whittlesey. "But there is no question the potential is there for this team."
If the women all run to their full potential and with confidence, they could have a chance at continuing on to nationals. The team is hoping to place in fourth or fifth place in regionals.
"With the team kind of younger, like we are. I'm not sure how
much we're ready," junior Nick Caprario said.
The men's team is determined.
The men's team is determined.
"Our expectation for the men's team is beating schools that we know we are better or at least ones know we are capable of beating on a good day," Whittlesey said.
The season is not over yet for the men's team.
"We can never count ourselves out and I think a lot can happen in cross country." Capriario said. "You never know what they're going to do on a given day. You never know how well we can do on a given day."
— Edited by Megan Morriss
BIG 12
Missouri expects to sign trio of basketball recruits
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The son of a former college teammate of Missouri coach Mike Anderson heads a trio of recruits expected to commit to the Tigers during the NCAA's early signing period
Phil Pressey of Dallas is a 5-foot-10 point guard and son of former NBA star Paul Pressey, who played with Anderson at Tulsa. The elder Pressey is currently an assistant with the New Orleans Hornets.
Missouri also expects to receive binding commitments from 6-foot-8 power forward
NFL
Kadeem Green of Charlotte, N.C., and 6-foot-5 guard Ricky Kreklow, a senior at Columbia Rock Bridge. Kreklow is the son of Missouri volleyball coach Wayne Kreklow.
Missouri has one additional basketball scholarship available for the 2010-11 season.
NFL Rams end practice with prayer for veterans
Coach Steve Spagnuolo
ST. LOUIS — Paying homage on Veterans Day, St. Louis Rams players and coaches kneeled in silence at the end of practice Wednesday.
Safety Oshiomoghe Atogwe led the prayer. The gesture hit home for defensive end Leonard Little, whose older brother Lamont Hughes is an engineer stationed in Iraq.
opened his post-practice remarks with an explanation, saying it was the team's way of thanking veterans past and present for service to their country. He noted it was a beautiful day, and a good day to remember.
Quarterback Marc Bulger participated recently in USO renovation at Lambert Airport, saying he did it for people he admired and appreciated.
Associated Press