16
GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
Kansas is fresh off an impressive early season victory at UTEP. Against the Miners, the Jayhawks turned in their best defensive performance while still managing to post offensive offensive numbers. The defensive line sparkled and that must continue to happen against Duke tomorrow.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior defensive end Maxwell Onyegbule Onyegbule turned in his best performance of his career last week: He recorded six tackles, including three tackles for a loss and two sacks. Now he must
Onyegbule
prove he can turn in such numbers on a consistent basis. That's the key for any top-level lineman in the Big 12.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Jake Sharp rush for 100 yards?
With defenses limiting Kansas passing attack, Sharp has served as the greatest beneficiary. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the first two games. Will Duke continue the trend of taking away the pass?
Will Johnathan Wilson have a breakout game?
This season Wilson has made six catches for 74 yards. While Kansas hasn't thrown the ball as much this year as in the past, Wilson still hasn't turned in a noteworthy performance. He could be due against Duke.
BY THE NUMBERS
154 Receiving yards by junior wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe after one game
130 Receiving yards by Kansas' second leading receiver, senior Kerry Meier, after two games
583 Kansas'rushing yards after two games
254 Kansas' rushing yards after two games last season
Number of victories by coach Mark Mangino, tied for the second most in school history
OFFENSE
Sure, Kansas' offensive piled up 576
yards last Saturday. But the Jayhawks also failed to capitalize on multiple scoring chances. Junior wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe showed a hint of rust but still played extremely well in his season debut. He
caught eight passes for 154 yards — a number that makes him Kansas' leading receiver despite playing in just one game.
Briscoe
DEFENSE
The Jayhawks completely locked down the Miners' big-number offense and the biggest reason for that was a consistent pass rush. Kansas' defensive line was relentless in sacking UTEP's quarterback six times. Senior defensive end Maxwell Onyegbule earned co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.
Onyeqbule
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior kicker Jacob Branstetter missed two short
Junior kicker Jacob Brannfield goals against UTEP. After the game, though, coach Mark Mangino said Branstetter was woozy because of a late hit. If Branstetter is healthy this week — and he is expected to be — he must perform better from close range.
Branstetter
COACHING
Really, it's hard to argue with two lopsided
Really, it's hard to argue with the victories. Mangino and his staff reshuffled the starting secondary against UTEP and the unit surrendered just 200 yards passing. Defensive line coach Tom Sims, whose unit recorded six sacks last week, has been a welcomed addition so far this season.
Mangino
MOMENTUM
The season is still early, but the Jayhawks appear to be rolling at this point. The offense has been plenty productive and the defense, a question mark entering the season, has performed to a similarly high standard during the first two games. At this point, it's hard to go against Kansas.
Jayson Jenks
JAYHAWKS STARTING LINEUP
Offense
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Todd Reesing 5 Sr.
RB Toben Opurum 35 Fr.
RB Jake Sharp 1 Sr.
WR Dezmon Briscoe 80 Jr.
WR Kerry Meier 10 Sr.
WR Jonathan Wilson 81 Jr.
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.
CB Daymond Patterson 15 So.
S Darrell Stuckey 25 Sr.
S Justin Thornton 46 Sr.
S Phillip Strozier 26 Jr.
CB Chris Harris 16 Jr.
K Jacob Branstetter 14 Jr.
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Prediction Kansas 4.5, Duke
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 18,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN