PAGE 12
FOOTBALL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GAMEDAY PREVIEW
KANSAS
1-2(0-1)
STUDENT DISCOUNT
$4.99 Lunch Buffet
$6.99 Dinner Buffet w/ student ID
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BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
The return of James Sims is upon Jayhawk nation. Last year's leading rusher for Kansas missed the first three games with a DUI suspension, but there isn't a better opponent for Sims to make his 2012 debat against. When the Huskies visited Lawrence in 2011, Sims ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns — his best game of the season. Kansas already has two solid hundred-yard backs in Tony Pierson and Taylor Cox, but adding Sims into the mix will be a welcomed challenge for the Kansas coaching staff.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Dayne Crist 10 Sr.
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 Ron Doherty 13 Jr.
DEFENSE
Northern Illinois coach Dave Ooeren called the Jayhawk's defensive coordinator, Dave Campo, the best secondary coach in football, both college and pro. With a nation leading 12 turnovers, it's not hard to see why. Kansas had only 18 turnovers in 2011. At this rate the Jayhawks could eclipse that mark in two more games. While Kansas still has trouble holding its opponents to shorter drives, the bend-don't-break mentality has kept the Jayhawks very much alive in their last two games.
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 Tharp 34 Jr.
CB Tyler Patmon 33 Jr.
CB Greg Brown 5 Jr.
SS Dexter Linton 23 Jr.
FS Bradley McDougald 24 Sr.
P Ron Doherty 13 Jr.
QUESTION MARKS
How will James Sims adjust to the Charlie Weis offense?
The Kansas coaches have said that Sims lost weight and looks faster, but will it translate to production?
Sims hasn't been in a game this year; will he need time to get back into game mode?
And how will Wells use his three back rotation?
Weis is known as a pass-happy coordinator with an affection for quarter-backs. Will the pass game die down in wake of a stronger backfield?
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sims is not the only Jayhawk returning from a three-game suspension this week. Long snapper Justin Carnes will also suit up for Kansas for the first time this season, but that doesn't mean he'll start right away. Kansas coach Charlie Weis said Carnes will have to work outreilly Jeffers in practice to secure his spot back. It was Jeffers who took over snapping duties in Carnes absence.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yards Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb passed for against NU last season.
Total points Kansas has allowed on its current 13 road game losing streak
531
281
Tony Pierson got a shot at making some receptions for the Jayhawks against TCU and ended up with 99 yards in the passing game. With Sims returning to the backfield, it might not be the last time Pierson is open downfield. Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell said that Pierson is still looking at 15 carries a game even with the three back rotation, but that didn't include catches. Motioning Pierson out of the backfield can only add to Weis' decisive schematic advantage.
PLAYER TO WATCH
AT A GLANCE
Northern Illinois is returning virtually its entire defense from last year's team that lost 45-42 in Lawrence. The Jayhawks were able to establish an effective ground game in that match, rushing for 295 yards and three touchdowns against the Huskies. Kansas will no doubt try to replicate its run success this week at NIU.
MOMENTUM
COACHING
Coach Weis doesn't believe in moral victories, but that doesn't mean there weren't some positives to come out of Kansas loss to TCU. The defense forced three turnovers and was able to slow down the Horned Frogs in the red zone. Keeping games close may be the biggest proving ground for the Jayhawks this season.
With film from last year and NIU returning an identical defense from 2011, coach Charlie Wels should have a good base for a deadly offensive scheme. Without question the run game pulled out a victory for Kansas, but that was in part because of a nonthreatening passing game. If Kansas can establish its run game again, more options will open up in the air. On the defensive side, Dave Campo will look to tighten up the tackling, which has been an issue for Kansas throughout its last two games.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF ...
Kansas wins. With this team, in this game, it's that simple. The Jayhawks haven't won a road game in 13 tries dating back to 2009, and NIU presents a challenge the Jayhawks have been able to overcome in the past. The turnovers and hundred-yard rushing games mean little without a victory to accompany them.
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Student Tip #210
THIS LAB IS YOUR LAB
That's right. It's yours. Actually, you have 10 locations to choose from all over campus. So next time you're bored between your only two classes on a Friday, don't waste time sitting on Wescoe Beach twiddling your thumbs. Crank out that paper early, or check to see how you did on that test after your all nighter last week. The possibilities are endless, so get going.
For a complete list of labs and locations, visit it.ku.edu/lib
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