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Kansas offense regresses in blowout loss to Baylor
BRIAN MINI
@brianminimum
During a season in which Kansas' defense has made significant strides forwards, the offense still seems far behind. Baylor's 49-7 win over Kansas further showcases the problem.
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Willis throws a pass in the first half against Baylor on Oct. 15.
Baylor led by 42 at halftime, which would normally reflect poorly on the defense. But, as has been the case in the past few weeks, Kansas' five total turnovers gave Baylor easy scoring opportunities.
In the first half, sophomore quarterback Ryan Willis threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The other was returned 52 yards and led to a missed field goal by Baylor.
To add to the issues in the first half, Kansas' offensive line allowed four sacks while Baylor's didn't allow any. Baylor also came out on top in terms of tackles for loss, a category where Kansas has been dominant for much of this season.
Associated Press
The second half didn't start much better as Willis'
woes continued with his third interception of the day. Willis finished with 89 yards and three interceptions.
Willis was eventually replaced by freshman quarterback Carter Stanley who, despite throwing an interception, led Kansas down the field for its only touchdown of the day.
Defending the run seemed to the main issue for Kansas as Baylor's star running back, Shock Lindwood, averaged
4. 6 yards per carry and Russell averaged 9.7.Those two would combine for three of Baylor's rushing touchdowns.
Although Kansas allowed 49 points to Baylor, Kansas' defense was able to limit Baylor to only seven second-half points, including a shutout in the
last week and followed it up against Baylor with a team-leading eight tackles, including a tackle for a loss, one of the team's three total.
Kansas failed to really establish the passing game, but freshman running back Khalil Herbert was a bright spot with Kansas' only touchdown and 3.8 yards a carry.
fourth quarter.
"Our defense played a workmen's game. They continued to play hard. There was never a quit in them," Beaty said via the Kansas Football Twitter account.
"Ultimately we have to get better with production especially offensively, but on all fronts," coach David Beaty said after the loss via the Kansas Football Twitter account.
Kansas faces Oklahoma State next weekend at Memorial Stadium.
In the third quarter, Baylor quarterback Seth Russell was taken out of the game with 144 yards passing, two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. He was replaced by Zach Smith, who was still able to complete four of his eight passes during the blowout.
The only other defensive standout for Kansas was freshman cornerback Mike Lee, who converted to safety
Defensively for Kansas, the inability to rush the quarterback hurt and
the normally disruptive sophomore defensive end Dorance Armstrong was essentially shut out the first half, but finally tallied Kansas' only sack in the third quarter.
Jayhawks to play more 'small ball' this season
Missy Minear/KANSAN Junior guard Devonte' Graham celebrates making a half-court shot at media day on Oct. 13.
▶ CHRISTIAN S. HARDY
@ByHardy
There are three players on the Kansas basketball team that Bill Self says aren't question marks: senior guard Frank Mason III, junior guard Devonte' Graham and senior forward Landen Lucas.
The rest, he said, are a bit more jumbled at this point.
Josh Jackson and Udoka Azubuike are freshmen and could take some time to find their role. Self said he's not sure if junior guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk or sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr. will improve to where they need to be. Sophomore guard Lagerald Vick has taken a huge step forward, pushing everyone in front of him.
Yet, there's one more thing that Self seemed certain of at Kansas basketball's media day on Thursday: Despite being a traditional three-out, two-in team, Self
plans to use four guards a lot more this year.
"I see us playing small quite a bit," Self said. "With Josh and Lagerald and Svi, you're big enough to play two of those at the three and the four."
While Jackson, Vick and Mykhailiuk will be the go-to guys in the third and fourth guard positions on a small lineup, he's not planning to use them as forwards. They'll remain as guards, with Lucas or Azubuike manning the center.
Generally, Self sees the
In recent years, the "small ball" formula has worked well. It worked for Villanova coach JayVaughn Pinkston last year, as they finished the season with a National Championship. Two years ago, Duke was using Justise Winslow as the four in their version of four-out, one-in when the Blue Devils won the National Championship in 2015.
four-out, one-in system with smaller, quicker teams which can spread the floor as a way to challenge bigger lineups Kansas might see this year.
"It used to be fours want to be threes. Well, they still do, but coaches are making threes [into] fours," Self said. "Which, if you think about it, is really smart... They talk about it all the time: stretch fours really make teams hard to guard."
You've got to figure out whose ego allows you to do certain things."
Bill Self Coach
With Jackson and Mykhailiuk both coming in at 6-foot-8 — the same
"I'm not sure that knowing who you're going to start now helps you win games in February." Self said. "You've got to figure out whose ego allows you to do certain things. But I'd say going in when you're having Indiana and Duke right off the bat that if we're able to stay healthy, having those guys pretty much know what their role will be going in I think is probably a positive."
height Perry Ellis was listed at on the team's roster last year - either of them should be serviceable in Self's stretch four spot.
As for his regular starters, Self said he's expecting Mason, Graham, Jackson, Bragg and Lucas to be the starting five going into the season. However, he said it's less about that lineup and more about figuring out how those players fit into roles.