12
GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
Kansas hasn't played a game in two weeks, and the break couldn't have come at a better time. Not only did the bye week allow the Jayhawks to fine-tune before the start of conference play, but it also gave aling senior running back Jake Sharp more time to recover from an undisclosed injury.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior running back Jake Sharp
Sharp didn't play
in Kansas' game against Southern Miss two weeks ago because of an undisclosed injury. Freshman running back Toben Purum played well in his place, but the Jayhawks need Sharp's big-play ability and
played well in his place, but the Jay's Sharp hawks need Sharp's big-play ability and speed to be successful in the Big 12. Watch to see how healthy Sharp appears in his first game back.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Kansas put away Iowa State this year?
lowa State jumped all over Kansas last season, taking a 20-0 halftime lead. Good teams make it a habit of putting lesser opponents away early. Will the Jayhawks show that ability tomorrow?
How many people will be in attentance?
Despite an announced sellout against Southern Miss, Memorial Stadium wasn't completely full at any point during the game. With another early kickoff time — and with another should-win game on the schedule — will more fans decide to stay at home?
BY THE NUMBERS
8. 3 Average yards per punt return for Kansas' Daymond Patterson
Kansas' consecutive home victories against Big 12 North opponents
13
13 Remaining unbeaten teams in the country, including 4-0 Kansas
64. 5 Reesing's career completion percentage
67. 1 Completion percentage for quarterback Todd Reesing this season
Kansas (4-0)
OFFENSE
Kansas' offense has piled up plenty of yards and
points during its four non-
conference games. The Jayhawks rank sixth in the nation in total offense and are averaging 40.5 points per game. But here's the thing: The general thinking around the football program is that the offense could be even more productive. Freshman running back Toben Opurum
has provided Kansas with a more than reliable replacement while Sharp has been injured.
Opurum
DEFENSE
So begins the true test for the Kansas defense. The unit played well during the nonconference portion of the season,but conference play will prove if that start was a fluke. The Jayhawks have limited opponents' ability to run the ball,and the defensive line,led
by senior defensive end Jake Laptad, has created enough pressure to slow the pass.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kick and punt return games have been solid
this season, and junior punter
this season, and junior pitcher Alonso Rojas has played above-average during Kansas' first four games. At this point, the only possible problem could rest with Kansas' kicking game. Junior Jacob Branstetter has made three of five field goals, but coach Mark Mangino has decided
to go for it on fourth down instead of allowing Branstetter to attempt a long field goal. That could come back to haunt the Jayhawks.
Rojas
COACHING
There's not much to argue with
at this point
avens point
in the season
Kansas has
handled
lesser
opponents
and the
defense
appears
improved
from this point last season.
Mangino has the Jayhawks playing like a top 25 team.
Manqino
Kansas has a very realistic shot at opening the season with a 6-0 record. After rolling through non-conference play, Kansas plays host to a bottom-of-the-Big 12 Iowa State team followed by a road trip to a struggling Colorado team. That's a potentially promising forecast.
Jayson Jenks
MOMENTUM
JAYHAWKS STARTING LINEUP
Offense
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Todd Reesing 5 Sr.
RB Toben Opurum 35 Fr.
WR Dezmon Briscoe 80 Jr.
WR Kerry Meier 10 Sr.
WR Jonathan Wilson 81 Jr.
TE Tim Biere 86 So.
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 Max Onyegbule 90 Sr.
DT Richard Johnson 97 So.
DT Caleb Blakesley 94 Sr.
DE Jake Laptad 91 Jr.
LB Drew Dudley 49 Jr.
LB Arist Wright 41 Sr.
LB Justin Springer 45 Jr.
CB Daymond Patterson 15 So.
S Darrell Stuckey 25 Sr.
S Justin Thornton 46 Sr.
CB Chris Harris 16 Jr.
K Jacob Branstetter 14 Jr.
Big Jay will cheer if..
The Jayhawks decide to run more trick has used a handful of trick plays so positive results. Not only do the playments another piece to prepare for, b undoubtedly fun to watch unfold.
Baby Jay will weep if
Kansas' offense struggles with its rhy-
 Jayhawks played well during the non-
son, the offense had a habit of what it as "leaving points on the board." Basie didn't play as well as it could have. Thr in the Big 12.
Prediction Kansas 49, Iowa Sta
THE WAVE OCTOBER 9,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN