ANSAN
20
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17. 2012
PAGE 13
KANSAS 6
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REWIND
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Senior quarterback Dwayne Crist attempts to run the ball for a first down in Saturday's game against TCU at Memorial Stadium. Crist completed 19 of 39 passes, but that wasn't enough for the Jawhaws to get the win. TCU defeated Kansas 20-6.
Pierson contributes in passing game
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
Tony Pierson rushed for 120 yards in each of the first two games this season. Coming into week three with a lot of momentum behind him, Pierson, a sophomore running back, was expected to help Kansas through the ground game against Texas Christian University, but he carried the ball nine times. That is less than half of what he averaged before playing TCU.
With a quiet rushing game, his presence was noticed more in the passing game Saturday.
"In this case, we thought if we can get Tony matched up with a linebacker, it could be a good match-up for us and he ended up making some plays in the passing game," Weis said. "That was to attack TCU."
Coach Charlie Weis spent time in practice working with Pierson seeing what plays could work against TCU's defense. By the time preparation was over, Weis figured out where Pierson could excel against the Horned Frogs defense.
Kansas running backs had only three receptions on the season coming into the game. Pierson's 26-yard catch in the second quarter was his first reception of the season and the longest
catch of his career. He led the Jayhawks with six receptions. Senior wide receiver Daymond Patterson also had six catches.
Pierson, being active in the passing game, was out of his element as a college football player, and it is not something Kansas had pursued this season against South Dakota State or Rice. However, Pierson is not a stranger to the passing game as he saw action as a slot receiver while playing at East St. Louis High School.
Pierson collected 99 yards on the day and helped senior quarterback Dayne Crist throw for over 300 yards. After Weis reviewed the game film with his offense in the first two games, he wanted to see if his speed could be used to help Crist in the passing attack.
"I feel comfortable out there as a slot receiver" Pierson said. "I have confidence in myself in doing that. I did it back in high school a lot."
"Knowing that we could get him the ball in the passing game was something important to us," Crist said. "Whether he is the first or fourth guy in your progression, you know if you get him the ball, he's got a chance to do something special. He was great for us today."
Although Pierson was a key weapon in helping Kansas move the football on offense and found themselves trailing by only four points
at halftime, they finished with six points in the game and were shutout in the second half.
With junior running back James Sims set to make his return next week against Northern Illinois, many are curious as to how Piperion will be used with Sims taking over as the starting running back. Weis said that even after Saturday's game, Piperion will remain as a running back. At the same time, Weis won't hesitate to have Piperion move in motion and line up as a slot receiver before the snap.
Even with a tough loss, where the Jayhawks had a chance to upset the Horned Frogs in Memorial Stadium, Pierson is keeping a positive mind-set in hoping that his presence on the field will eventually result with more points on the scoreboard.
"We wanted to come out in the second half and try to come back and get the W" he said. "Unfortunately, we didn't. But we're still going to keep working hard."
Edited by Brittney Haynes
OFFENSE
The run game slowly disappeared throughout the game as Kansas finished with just 77 yards on the ground. Dayne Crist passed for 300 yards, but the offense couldn't finish on any of its drives — scoring zero points.
Grade: D
DEFENSE
The most pleasant surprise this season has been the aggressiveness of the defense. After recovering four fumbles yesterday — three of which were forced — Dave Campo's squad is now tied for most turnovers gained in the nation (12) with Alabama and Mississippi State. And Kansas still gave up 487 yards.
Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: B
Ron Doherty made two of three field goals to give Kansas its only points of the day and picked up 100 yards punting. Clint Bowen's corps kept TOU from gaining too many yards on kick returns — allowing no more than 28 yards at a time.
COACHING
The Jayhawks had multiple opportunities to score on TCU. Most of the miscues came from the passing game, but not because of the play calling. It's hard to imagine Turner Gill losing by less than 14 to the Horned Frogs.
Grade: B+
SCHEDULE
*All games in bold are at home
DATE OPPONENT RESULT/TIME
SEPT. 1 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE W, 31-17
SEPT.8 RICE L, 25-24
SEPT. 15 TCU L, 20-6
SEPT. 22 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2:30 P.M.
OCT. 6 KANSAS STATE TBA
OCT. 13 OKLAHOMA STATE TBA
OCT. 20 OKLAHOMA TBA
OCT. 27 TEXAS TBA
NOV. 3 BAYLOR TBA
NOV. 10 TEXAS TECH TBA
NOV. 17 IOWA STATE TBA
DEC. 1 WEST VIRGINIA TBA
QUOTE OF THE GAME
"We didn't feel like they were stopping us. We were stopping ourselves."
TCU quarterback Casey Pachall
GAME BALL
Bradley McDougal's two forced fumbles ignited the Jayhawks defense. The athlete has played inspired ball so far and has come up big on multiple occasion for the Jayhawks.
(Left) Junior cornerback Tyler Patmon and freshman cornerback Tyre Williams tackle TCU sophomore wide receiver Brandon Carter during the first quarter against TCU. Patmon had six total tackles.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
(Right) Senior quarterback Dayne Crist almost gets sacked by TCU defender Sam Carter against TCU Saturday afternoon. Crist was sacked 3 times with 303 passing yards.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
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