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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW KANSAS
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
OFFENSE
Michael Cummings might be able to rest easy knowing for certain that he's the Jayhawks' starting quarterback, but he can't be expected to turn around the offense by himself and certainly not in one week. The backfield of James Sims and Tony Pierson will be crucial against a Texas run defense ranked 107th in the nation.
1-6(0-4)
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Michael Cummings 14 Fr.
HB James Sims 29 Jr.
FB Nick Sizemore 45 Jr.
WR Kale Pick 7 Sr.
WR Andrew Turzilli 82 So.
TE Mike Ragone 84 Sr.
RT Gavin Howard 70 Jr.
RG Randall Dent 64 Jr.
C Trevor Marrongelli 69 Sr.
LG Duane Zlatnik 67 Sr.
LT Tanner Hawkinson 72 Sr.
K Nick Prolago 16 So.
ASHLEIGH LEE / KANSAN
Freshman quarterback Michael Cummings gets tackled during Saturday, Oct. 20's game against Oklahoma at the Gaylord Family- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. where the Jayhawks lost 7-52.
DEFENSE
Last week defensive coordinator Dave Campo said that his players were trying to take four steps forward for every two they took back. Against Texas we'll find out just how many steps have been taken and in which direction. The Longhorns are averaging 44 points per game, yet Kansas has — for the most part — played well against high-powered offenses this season.
Pos. NAME No. Year
DE Josh Williams 95 Sr.
DT Jordan Tavai 9 Jr.
DT Kevin Young 90 Jr.
RE Toben Opurum 35 Sr.
SLB Tunde Bakare 17 Sr.
MLB Ben Heeney 31 So.
WLB Huldon Tharpe 34 Jr.
CB Tyler Patmon 33 Jr.
CB Greg Brown 5 Sr.
SS Lubbock Smith 1 Sr.
FS Bradley McDougald 24 Sr.
P Ron Doherty 13 Jr.
STARTING LINEUP
For the second week in a row Kansas won the fourth quarter, but that might not be much help given that the lone score came near the end of a 45-point blowout. Any momentum will have to be created on the practice field this week.
AT A GLANCE
After getting stomped by Oklahoma the Jayhawks find themselves in a familiar situation. They are sitting in the cellar of the Big 12, but have a chance to improve greatly over the next few weeks. That mainly due to the competition Kansas will face. Three ranked teams — beginning with Texas — remain on the Jayhawks' schedule, and while Kansas isn't in the running for a championship this season, it certainly has a chance to play spoiler for the teams that are.
Now that Weis has solidified Cummings as his quarterback, his schemes will have a little more creativity. Last week Weis designed a quarterback-run option for the freshman to use if needed on most plays. It's certain there will be more of that given Cummings' mobility.
COACHING
Weis
PLAYER TO WATCH
Weis said running back Tony Pierson was a little cautious in his first game back from an elbow injury that kept him out against Oklahoma State, yet he still had 67-yard in 14 carries versus the Sooners. With a weak rush defense coming to Lawrence, this may be the belated return game Kansas fans expected from the speedy back.
Pierson
SPECIAL TEAMS
Fixing the Jayhawks' special teams is as vital as any other improvement being made. Kansas will continue to beat itself unless there is significant progress on the kickoff and punt coverage. A field goal kicker would be nice too, as coach Charlie Weis has noted for weeks now.
QUESTION MARKS
How will the Kansas defense respond after getting trounced by a strong Oklahoma offense?
The Jayhawks hadn't been knocked out of a game before halftime all year, how will that change the way Kansas plays in the first half? And can Michael Cummings be the quarterback that the Jayhawks desperately need?
Will Wes find a way to work him into the game plan or have his playing days ended early?
No one is expecting the freshman to start for the next three years — not with Jake Heaps about to become eligible next year — so can he turn a few heads and start a battle for next season? And even more intriguing, what happens now to team captain Dayne Crist?
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
Kansas doesn't fall apart. Weis has preached that the Jayhawks will be more competitive this year — and by all means they have been — but we've seen just how bad a season can get in the everlasting second half. Simply put, this team is desperate for a win and those odds only worsen with each loss.
BY THE NUMBERS
Number of wins Kansas has against Texas all time
Amount of first downs both Kansas and Texas have this season in the Big 12
13
Sacks against Kansas quarterbacks in Big 12 play,the most in the conference
PREDICTION 21
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