16
GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
Kansas enters this season's gauntlet — the portion of the schedule that features the toughest competition. After losing to Colorado, Kansas finds itself in a crowded race for the Big 12 North title. A victory against one of the three Big 12 South teams on the schedule would significantly boost Kansas' chances. The Jayhawks get their first chance against the Sooners tomorrow.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior running back Jake Sharp
In his first full game
In his first full game since Sept. 12, Sharp carried the ball 13 times for just 29 yards. After the game, though, Mangino said Sharp's performance was a reflection of the offensive line, which failed to open holes for Kansas' speedy
running back, Facing an extremely talented defense, Sharp needs a big day to keep Oklahoma's defensive front honest
QUESTION MARKS
Will the offensive line hang with Oklahoma's defensive line?
Kansas' offensive line played its best game of the season against Iowa State two weeks ago but severely struggled against Colorado. It doesn't get easier: Oklahoma has one of the nation's most talented defensive lines.
Will the defense disrupt Oklahoma freshman quarterback Landry Jones?
True, Jones has already played in bigger games and in front of more hostile crowds. But he's still just a freshman. Kansas' defense needs to create pressure to attempt to slow Oklahoma's quick spread offense.
BY THE NUMBERS
Consecutive games in which Kansas has scored at least 30 points
96 Receiving yards senior wide receiver Kerry Meier needs to reach 2,000 for his career
17. 7 Average yards per catch for junior wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe
269 Receiving yards Briscoe had against Oklahoma last season
1997 The year in which Kansas last defeated Oklahoma
OFFENSE
The offense has easily been Kansas' best and most productive unit this season. But against Colorado, Kansas struggled for much of the first half. Senior quarterback Todd Reesing's two turnovers allowed the Buffalooes to score 14 points, while senior running back Jake Sharp rushed for just 29 yards on 13 carries. The run game must be far better against Oklaho
Reesing
DEFENSE
Two weeks ago, after hanging on for a 41-36 victory against Iowa State, plenty of criticism and skepticism was funneled at Kansas' defense. Playing with essentially three new starters, including freshmen Lubbock Smith and D.J. Bearshear, the unit responded against Colorado. Sure, the Jayhawks weren't dominating at any point against the Buffalooes. But they managed to keep Kansas in the game, and that's the ultimate goal of any defense.
Smith
Kansas' return games still haven't
SPECIAL TEAMS
made a big play
Briscoe
this season as neither junior wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe or sophomore cornerback Daymond Patterson have altered the game with a return. The good
news on special teams, though, is that junior kicker Jacob Branstetter connected on two field goals in Boulder, including two kicks of at least 40 yards. His longest made field goal last year was just 34 yards.
COACHING
Coach Mark Mangino's team certainly
didn't appear sharp in the first half against Colorado: Kansas trailed by 21 at one point. But both the defense and offense responded well after halftime, actually grabbing a 30-27 lead early in the fourth quarter. Mangino has been moving
Mangino
and adjusting personnel on defense throughout the season, and tomorrow's game will showcase the effectiveness of those decisions. Plus, Kansas could certainly use a solid outing against a talented — but reeling — Oklahoma team.
At this point, the most logical answer is to say that neither Kansas nor Oklahoma enters tomorrow's game with much momentum. Oklahoma suffered a close loss to rival Texas, while Kansas was upset by a 1-4 Colorado team. The fact that the game is being playing at Memorial Stadium should benefit Kansas. Then again, it didn't make much of a difference against Texas or Texas Tech last season.
MOMENTUM
Jayson Jenks
Offense
JAYHAWKS STARTING LINEUP
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.
WR Bradley McDougald 24 Fr.
T Tanner Hawkinson 72 Fr.
G Brad Thorson 76 Jr.
C Jeremiah Hatch 77 So.
G Sal Capra 59 Jr.
T Jeff Spikes 74 So
P Alonso Rojas 18 Jr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
DE Jeff Wheeler 84 Sr.
DT John Williams 71 Fr.
DT Caleb Blakesley 94 Sr.
DE Jake Laptad 91 Jr.
LB Drew Dudley 49 Jr.
LB Arist Wright 41 Sr.
LB Huldon Tharp 34 Fr.
CB Daymond Patterson 15 So.
S Darrell Stuckey 25 Sr.
S Lubbock Smith 13 Fr.
CB Chris Harris 16 Jr.
K Jacob Branstetter 14 Jr.
Big Jay will cheer if..
Kansas' defense forces Oklahoma to outoffensive series. The Sooners are a hailout future NFL players Sam Bradford Gresham. Generating a quick stop east stir Kansas' fans, but it will also prove can play against an offense such as C
Baby Jay will weep if
The Jayhawks, especially the offense again. In its last two games, Kansas h sluggishly in the first half before com halftime. But the Jayhawks weren't p Sooners in those games. If Kansas star row, it could be a long day.
Prediction:
Oklahoma 42, Kansi
THE WAVE OCTOBER 23,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN