SAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Year
Str.
Jr.
Jr.
Str.
Str.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
Str.
Jr.
Str.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012.
PAGE 7B
Pierson
45-
éphane Roque
Laken Rapier
tradition
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW OSU
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
OFFENSE
The offense has a lot of weapons. Even if Wes Lunt misses another game, J.W. Walsh can still lead the Cowboys offense. Walsh has thrown 797 passing yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions this year while under center. Walsh has a reliable core of receivers in Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore, who are the top two on the team in receptions and touchdowns.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB J.W. Walsh 11 Fr.
RB Joseph Randle 1 Jr.
WR Tracy Moore 87 Sr.
WR Josh Stewart 5 So.
WR Isaiah Anderson 82 Sr.
LT Parker Graham 71 Jr.
LG Johnathan Rush 70 Sr.
C Evan Epstein 60 Sr.
RG Lane Taylor 68 Sr.
RT Daniel Koenig 58 So.
K/P Quinn Sharp 13 Sr.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma State linebacker Shaun Lewis (11) moves in to sack Texas quarterback David Ash (14) during the second quarter of the game in Stillwater, Okla., on Sept. 29.
DEFENSE
Kansas has been great at running the football. It's been their biggest strength with Tony Pierson, Taylor Cox and James Sims in the backfield. However, those running backs could struggle against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have the best 36th ranked rushing defense in the nation, and the Jayhawks may not be able to run the ball as well as they'd like to. Linebacker Alex Elkins averaged six sacks per game coming into this week and will lead the Cowboys 4-3 base defense on Saturday.
STARTING LINEUP
| Pos. | NAME | No. | Year |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| LE | Cooper Bassett | 80 | Sr. |
| DT | James Castleman | 91 | So. |
| DT | Calvin Barnett | 99 | Jr. |
| RE | Ryan Robinson | 96 | Sr. |
| OLB | Shaun Lewis | 11 | Jr. |
| MLB | Alex Elkins | 37 | Sr. |
| OLB | Caleb Lavey | 45 | Jr. |
| CB | Brodrick Brown | 49 | Sr. |
| CB | Justin Gilbert | 4 | Jr. |
| SS | Daytawion Lowe | 8 | Jr. |
| FS | Shamiel Gray | 7 | Jr. |
| P/K | Quinn Sharp | 13 | Sr. |
MOMENTUM
Oklahoma State has relied on its high-scoring offense to win games this season. Despite being the best in that category, it has not translated into a win every time. Kansas scored 31 points in its first game of the season when it defeated South Dakota State. But during its four game losing streak, Kansas has scored 17.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the fewest points Oklahoma State has scored this season was 36 points. The point differential favors the Cowboys in this contest.
AT A GLANCE
Oklahoma State, even with a new quarterback under center, has done a good job of scoring this season. However, the defense has not played as well. With inconsistency being an issue for the Cowboys, it doesn't come off as a surprise that after four games this year, they are at the .500 mark this season.
COACHING
Mike Gundy knows Oklahoma State just about as well as anybody. He graduated from Oklahoma State after playing quarterback for the Cowboys from 1986 to 1989. From 1990 to 1955 and from 2001 to 2004, Gundy served as an assistant coach for the Cowboys. He spent a little bit of time with Baylor and Maryland before returning to Oklahoma State for a second stint and accepted a role as the offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in 2005.
Gundy
PLAYER TO WATCH
Running back Joseph Randle has rushed for 534 yards and six touchdowns off 75 carries. With how well Kansas State was able to run against Kansas, Randle has an opportunity to do the same thing against the Jayhawks. Oklahoma State's passing game has been great this season, but its rushing game can get its fair share of attention this weekend.
Randle
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Quinn Sharp has seen a lot of action this year. He's only made seven field goals out of nine tries, but he's made 28 extra point attempts, giving him 49 points on the season. Justin Gilbert has handled most of the kick return duties for the Cowboys this year. Off 10 returns, Gilbert has gained 304 yards. Kansas has allowed a couple of big returns, but none for touchdowns. Gilbert may come up with one big回回 to try and put the offense in good position on the field.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Wes Lunt return for Oklahoma State this Saturday?
Wes Lunt suffered a knee injury on Sept. 15 in the win over Louisiana-Lafayette. Since then, redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh has filled in. But Lunt could soon be back for the Cowboys and give them a little boost against Kansas. However, coach Mike Gundy said nothing is for sure yet.
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF ...
Oklahoma State finds a way to top Kansas State's 56 points. Kansas gave up a season high 56 points last week. With Oklahoma State leading the nation in scoring, Kansas must do everything it can to not only prevent a blowout but to find and find a way to win.
21, OSU
BY THE NUMBERS
223
points scored this year in four games.
61
points scored on Kansas in last year's meeting in Stillwater.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Texas wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (8) catches his third touchdown pass, in front of Oklahoma State cornerback Kevin Peterson (1) during the second half of the game Sept. 29 in Stillwater, Okla., Texas won 41-36.
70
wins for Mike Gundy since becoming the head coach of Oklahoma State.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Johnson intercepts a pass against Texas in the third quarter of the game.
14