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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW KANSAS
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
1-5 (0-3)
OFFENSE
Kansas fans, we officially have a quarterback controversy. After Michael Cummings led two scoring drives in the Jayhawks' futile comeback against Oklahoma State, coach Charlie Weis is splitting time between his redshift freshman and Dayne Crist. With three quarterbacks in the mix — Christian Matthews is still running the "Jayhawk" offense — Weis will have a lot more room to get creative against a tough Sooners defense.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Dayne Crist or Michael Cummings 10, 14 Sr., Fr.
HB Tony Pierson 3 So.
FB Trent Smiley 85 So.
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.
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Junior halfback James Sims rushes to the end zone to score the Jayhawks' second touchdown of the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State University at Memorial Stadium. The touchdown was not enough to bring the Jayhawks a victory in their 20-14 loss against the Cowboys.
DEFENSE
If you happen to see what looks like a zombie dragging himself through campus, don't panic, it's most likely a very sleep-deprived Dave Campo. The first-year Kansas defensive coordinator has had a tremendous effect on this year's team — holding both TCU and Oklahoma State to their lowest point totals of the season. For the third straight week he'll be facing one of the nation's top offenses. Get some rest, coach.
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 Dexter Linton 23 Jr.
FS Bradley McDougald 24 Sr.
P Ron Dohery 13 Jr.
STARTING LINEUP
Since defeating South Dakota State in week one, Kansas has not had much momentum to ride. That all changed with a couple of touchdowns late against Oklahoma State. It was the first time all season the Jayhawks ended the game on a higher note than their opponent, and it may be the best thing Kansas has going right now.
AT A GLANCE
Coach Weis' decision to split time between Crist and Cummings may prove to be the best option. It was obvious that something needed to change, but giving Cummings his first career start on the road against an Oklahoma team that just beat Texas out of the rankings wouldn't have been good for anyone but Sooners fans. Now both quarterbacks will not just be playing to win, but also to eliminate the other from claiming the starting role.
COACHING
If Michael Cummings can perform in Norman, Okla., like he did in Lawrence — and if Tony Pierson is healthy — Charlie Weis may be a little giddy come Saturday. For a coach who constantly flirts with trick plays it would be hard not to think the options that Crist, Cummings and Matthews open up won't lead to more imaginative play calling.
Weis
PLAYER TO WATCH
This one comes down to a tie and rightfully so. Both Michael Cummings and Dayne Crist will have all eyes on them as each tries to claim the starting quarterback role for the Jayhawks. In Crist's last outing he completed 10 of 22 passes for 136-yards, while Cummings completed 5-10 for 75-yards and a touchdown. Both will need to be better to give the Jayhawks a shot against the Sooners, but the Kansas quarterback battle might make for an equally compelling match.
Cummings
SPECIAL TEAMS
QUESTION MARKS
After taking a week-long hiatus to allow for some healing — and to give other kickers a chance — Ron Doherty is returning to punting duties for Kansas. Nick Prologo will still be handling kickoffs and extra points, but the glaring hole that is kicking field goals is still a costly concern for Kansas. With an offense ranked 109 out of 120 in the FBS, the Jayhawks can't be leaving any points on the field.
How will the change in quarterbacks affect the running backs?
Charlie Weis made note at his Tuesday press conference that Kansas was a runfirst team. Will one quarterback favor that system over another?
And for that matter, can Cummings hold his own against the second-best defense in the Bie 127?
Cummings has only played in situations with little pressure. How will he play now that he is expected to help Kansas win?
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
One of the Kansas quarterbacks emerges from the rest. That could mean Dayane Crist, Michael Cummings or even Christian Matthews running the "Jayhawk" formation. The Jayhawks have done a great job at limiting opponents' scoring, now they just need to put together points themselves.
.449
BY THE NUMBERS
Jayhawks all-time winning percentage (573-574-58)
45 Michael Cummings touchdown passes in high school
50 Tackles each by Ben Heeney and Bradley McDougald this season
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Freshman linebacker Jake Love tackles an Oklahoma State player to prevent a first down for the Cowboys in Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium.
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ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Senior wide receiver Kale Pick during the Oct. 13 game against Oklahoma State University at Memorial Stadium.