12
GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
Kansas is 5-2, and is now just 1-2 in the Big 12. Luckily for the Jayhawks, nearly every other team in the conference has faltered already this season, too. Kansas has lost two consecutive games and can't afford to keep slipping in the Big 12 North standings.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Freshman running back Toben Opurum
With senior running back Jake Sharp still at less than 100 percent, Opurum should continue seeing more carries this week against Texas Tech. And he'll play a significant part in the outcome. Controlling the clock
Opurum
— and possessing a balanced offense — is always important. Facing an offense such as the Red Raiders'only adds to the need for a successful run game.
QUESTION MARKS
Will the young secondary hold up?
There aren't many teams that challenge a secondary quite like Texas Tech does. Even with an uncertain situation at quarterback, the Red Raiders are capable of putting up big offensive numbers. It will be a true trial-by-fire test for Kansas' secondary.
Will senior Todd Reesing come out firing?
Reeing tossed three interceptions in the first half against Oklahoma, including one that was returned 85 yards for a touchdown. He has never shied away from the home-run play. Will he continue to carry that mentality with him?
BY THE NUMBERS
Number of quarterbacks that have played for Texas Tech this season
4 Freshmen who started against Oklahoma on defense
63 Points Texas Tech scored against Kansas last season
321 Rushing yards by Texas A&M against Texas Tech last week
2006 Last year in which Kansas last lost three consecutive games
OFFENSE
Kansas (5-2)
Kansas struggled against Colorado two weeks ago, and that seemed surprising to most. Then the Jayhawks had an encore performance against the Sooners last Saturday. Suddenly Kansas' sure-thing offense isn't looking quite so sure. The worst part? Senior quarterback Todd Reesing has five turnovers in his last two games. The Jayhawks need to click from their opening snap tomorrow.
DEFENSE
Kansas' defense has been criticized and the focus of plenty of wrestling coverage.
plenty of wornome conversation so far this season. But in its last two games, the unit has played well enough to give the Jayhawks a legitimate chance of winning the game. The difference? Young starters such as freshmen Lubbock Smith, DJ. Beshears and John Williams.
Beshears
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior kicker Jacob Branstetter booted two field goals to
cut Oklahoma's halftime lead to 14-6 last Saturday, including a career-best 57-yarder as time expired in the second quarter. Still, the return games have yet to significantly impact a game. Against Oklahoma, freshman Bradley McDougald replaced junior Dezmon Briscoe after Briscoe was smacked by two defenders on a kick return.
Branstetter
COACHING
Kansas enters tomorrow's game with plenty of
Kansas enters tomorrow's game with questions: Will the offense finally click from the first snap? Can the defense slow Texas Tech's pass attack? Offensive coordinator Ed Warriner said Tuesday that it's his job to get the offense in gear early. That must happen to give Kansas a chance against Texas Tech.
Warriner
Jayson Jenks
MOMENTUM
Well, at this point, neither Kansas nor Texas Tech seems to be riding waves of momentum into Saturday's game. Kansas has suffered two consecutive losses. Texas Tech dropped a disappointing game to Texas A&M.Call it a toss-up.
Toben Opurum
JAYHAWKS STARTING LINEUP
Offense
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Todd Reesing 5 Sr.
RB Jake Sharp 1 Sr.
WR Dezmon Briscoe 80 Jr.
WR Kerry Meier 10 Sr.
WR Jonathan Wilson 81 Jr.
TE Tim Biere 86 So.
LT Tanner Hawkinson 72 Fr.
LG Brad Thorson 76 Jr.
C Jeremiah Hatch 77 So.
RG Sal Capra 59 Jr.
RT Jeff Spikes 74 So
P Alonso Rojas 18 Jr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
LE Jeff Wheeler 84 Sr.
DT John Williams 71 Fr.
DT Caleb Blakesley 94 Sr.
RE Jake Laptad 91 Jr.
LB Drew Dudley 49 Jr.
LB Huldon Tharp 34 Fr.
CB D.J. Beshears 20 Fr.
CB Ryan Murphy 23 So.
SS Darrell Stuckey 25 Sr.
FS Lubbock Smith 13 Fr.
CB Chris Harris 16 Jr.
K Jacob Branstetter 14 Jr.
Big Jay will cheer if
Kansas' offense scores on its first drie games, the Jayhaws have struggle Oklahoma, Reesing tossed an intere opening play. Scoring points on its long way in getting the offense's gr
Baby Jay will weep
The defense fails to create pressure quarterback, whoever that may be Jayhawks simply couldn't get a pa Raiders left Lawrence with a lopsided Creating a pass rush is one of the reasons slowing Texas Tech's notoriously offense.
Predictio Texas Tech 42, Ka
THE WAVE OCTOBER 30,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN