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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
12
Kansas football looks to send off seniors on high note
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▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesleyDee23
Kansas coach David Beaty is hoping to send his 25 seniors out on a high note this weekend.
Senior running back Ke'aun Kinner gets pushed out of bounds by Iowa State's Willie Harvey on Nov. 12. The Jayhawks lost 31-24.
Baxter Schanze/KANSAN on Nov. 12, The
Those seniors will play in the final home game of their collegiate career when the team (1-9, 0-7 Big 12) takes on Texas (5-5. 3-4 Big 12) for Senior Day on Saturday.
The Jayhawks haven't had any success in conference play in recent years, as they have lost 19-straight Big 12 games. However, Beaty said he believes his seniors have played a vital role in preparing the team to have more success in the coming seasons.
"I think the big thing for [the seniors], and we've been talking about it from the beginning, is the foundation that we're laying here," Beaty said during his weekly press conference Tuesday. "Regardless whether we were a bowl
team or a team that was still doing foundational work, understanding that each individual day was going to be basically a step in the right direction for the future of our program."
With the leadership of those seniors, Kansas has made some of those strides this season, with competitive losses to TCU, Oklahoma State and Iowa State. Now, the team will be looking for its first Big 12 win in over two years when it hosts Texas.
"They've given us everything that we've asked them to give," Beaty said. "In return, I know the remainder of our team, plus all of our coaches, are going to give them everything we've got to make sure they go out on a winning note."
The Longhorns will serve as a tough task for what has been an improved Kansas defense. Texas running back D'Onta Foreman has been one of the best running backs in the nation and will come in red hot.
"His numbers are just gross," Beaty said. "It's unbelievable what he's done."
Foreman is averaging 179.2 yards per game. He has scored 13 rushing touchdowns and averages 6.7 yards per carry.
Beaty credited an improved Texas offensive line for the Longhorns' success running the football.
"You know, it's not just him," Beaty said.
"Those guys up front are really good now. They put bodies on bodies. There's a lot of plays where they're handing it off to him and he's getting two, three, four, five yards, and then all of a sudden he busts one for 50 or 60 [yards]. They are just consistent."
After a strong start to the season, the Jayhawks now rank eighth in the Big 12 against the rush (225.9 yards per game). In its last three games, Kansas has
given up an average of 282 rushing yards per game.
"Man, [the Longhorns are] talented," Beaty said. "They're good up front. You're going to have to try to stop the run. There's no doubt about it."
As for Kansas' rushing attack, senior running back Ke'aun Kinner has been vital to a revamped Jayhawk offense.
Kinner, who bruised his rib in the loss to Iowa State last week, has averaged 95
rushing yards per game in his last four games after a dreadful start to the season. He turned in his best performance of the season when he ran for 152 yards and a touchdown against the Cyclones.
Kinner was able to practice Monday and is expected to play against the Longhorns.
"I think he's going to be okay," Beaty said. "We really need him to be okay. He ran really well the other night."
It'll be key for Kinner to match Foreman's play if he and any of his 24 other senior teammates want an opportunity to secure their first conference win with Beaty as coach.
"How cool would that be for these guys to get that first Big 12 win in our era on Senior Day here?" Beaty said. "No better day than the next. So let's go."
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and can be seen nationally on ABC and ESPN2.
Big 12 rankings: OU extends streak to 7, Baylor stumbles again
1. Oklahoma
(Record: 8-2, 7-0 Big 12)
2. Oklahoma State (Record: 8-2, 6-1 Big 12)
3. West Virginia
(Record: 8-1, 5-1 Big 12)
6. Texas (Record: 5-5, 3-4 Big 12)
7. TCU (Record: 5-4, 3-3 Big 12)
4. Baylor
(Record: 6-3, 3-3 Big 12)
8. Texas Tech (Record: 4-6, 2-5 Big 12)
5. Kansas State (Record: 5-4, 3-3 Big 12)
9. Iowa State (Record: 2-8, 1-6 Big 12)
10. Kansas (Record: 1-9, 0-7 Big 12)
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