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12 GAME DAY
AT A GLANCE
Ah. football season has finally returned. Kansas returns all of its key skill position players on offense as well as a solid nucleus of returning starters on defense. But there are still question marks at linebacker and offensive line. Luckily, the first game always seems to provide some answers.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior running back Jake Sharp OK, so this isn't all about Sharp.
the fun game struggled in non-conference play last season, and Kansas has the added responsibility of breaking in three new
ing in three new Sharp
offensive linemen.
this year. Facing
a lesser opponent, the Jayhawks — and specifically Sharp — should post big rushing numbers.
QUESTION MARKS
Who will stand out at linebacker? Mangino released his team's depth chart during the weekend, including his first-team linebackers. But the position is far from settled. The Jayhawks will continue to find the most productive players early in the year.
When will we see Kale Pick? Pick, a freshman quarterback, is Reesing's backup this season. Facing a Northern Colorado team that finished 1-10 last season, Pick should play when Kansas is holding a comfortable lead. The question is: When will that be?
BY THE NUMBERS
18 Number of consecutive night home games Kansas has won
Kansas (0-0)
26 Number of consecutive starts for quarterback Todd Reesing
288 Number of tackles lost at linebacker from last year
3,025 Combined receiving yards of Kerry Meier, Dezmon Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson last year
2003 Last year Kansas lost its home opener
OFFENSE
Kansas' offense hasn't faced any real scrutiny this
offseason. And why should it have? The Jayhawks return quarterback Todd Reeing along with his top three receivers from last season. Senior Kerry Meier and junior Dezmon Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson form one of the best receiving units in the Big 12. But there is one area with inexperience: the offensive line. Northern Colorado provides
Kansas with an opportunity to break in a line featuring three new faces: Tanner Hawkinson, Sal Capra and Brad Thorson.
Reesing
DEFENSE
Much attention has been heaped onto Kansas'
situation at linebacker. And while the Jayhawks will have to play three new linebackers, the more important unit to watch is the defensive line, led by junior Jake Laptad. Kansas ranked 10th in the Big 12 against the pass last season — a result of an ineffective
Laptad
pass rush. The Jayhawks must create more pressure, especially against a team that finished 1-10 last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kansas' return game struggled for much
of last season before coach Mark Mangino inserted Briscoe to return kickoffs late in the year. Expect Briscoe or freshman Bradley McDougald to fill that position this season. Mangino has continuously praised McDou
gald's play this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how much of a role he plays on special teams.
McDougald
COACHING
The first game of any season is usually
filled with a little sloppiness. But Mangino's teams are generally well prepared, even early in the season. The most important coaching decision this week revolves around
the offensive line. Mangino and his staff must decide which set of players forms the best unit.
Mangino
MOMENTUM
If their advertising campaign is any indication — "History Awaits" — the Jayhawks are expecting big things this season. And for that reason, the Jayhawks enter the game with loads of anticipation and fan excitement. Kansas must continue building that momentum by easily defeating Northern Colorado.
Jayson Jenks
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. |
| 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.
OLB Justin Springer 45 Jr.
ILB Drew Dudley 49 Jr.
OLB Arist Wright 41 Sr.
CB Daymond Patterson 15 So.
SS Darrell Stuckey 25 Sr.
FS Justin Thornton 46 Sr.
CB Anthony Davis 30 So.
K Jacob Branstetter 14 Jr.
Big Jay will cheer if..
Kansas' defensive line creates pressu gled to do so last season, often allow drives on third down. Creating disruguaranteed way to generate excitement needs to prove it can do that early th
Baby Jay will weep if
Kansas struggles to run the ball. The established a running game during r season as Mangino shuffled between Jake Sharp is the undisputed feature it's important for him to have a solid offensive line.
Predictive Kansas 49, Northern
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 4,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN