Volume 125 Issue 10
kansan.com
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
COMMENTARY
Senior quarterback Dayne Crist looked rusty, only completing 17 of his 36 passing attempts, throwing for 169 yards and only one touch-down. Even though the defense forced five turnovers, the Kansas defense allowed 411 total yards, including a 99-yard run that gave South Dakota State the lead early in the game. The special teams blocked two punts, but allowed 164 yards on six kickoff returns.
A new season means impact players.
Sure, sophomore running back Tony Pierson had an incredible day. The speedster rushed for 124 yards on 20 carries, averaged 6.2 yards per carry and reached the end zone twice.
The start of the Charlie Weis era was anything but perfect.
New impact players key to victory
But the real surprise was junior running back Taylor Cox.
Needless to say, there are plenty of issues for the Jayhawks to work on after their 31-17 victory over South Dakota State. But even with these glaring issues, one thing is clear.
With no James Sims in the line-up for the first three games of the season due to a suspension, Cox shined rushing for 121 yards and one touchdown. While Pierson scored more touchdowns, Cox averaged 7.6 yards per carry. Cox's combination of speed and power could be the spark plug that the layhawks need on offense.
The biggest question now is if Tavai and Cox can both impact the game on a weekly basis. South Dakota State isn't the best quality opponent and the difficulty only increases from here.
Still, these two players are big contributors to the team. With no James Sims, Cox provides quickness to the team when Pierson isn't in the game. Kansas hasn't had a defensive line constantly provide pressure in many years.
With a new season underway, look for these impact players to make big plays.
Edited by Andrew Ruszczyk
Tavai was constantly in the backfield, blowing up the middle of the Jackrabbits offensive line. His pressure was good enough for South Dakota State to double team him the majority of the night.
On the defensive side of the ball, it's really hard to find a positive after allowing so many yards. Senior safety Bradley McDougald intercepted the ball twice. Junior cornerback Tyler Patmon had one interception and should have had two after dropping an easy ball that came his way.
At first glance, most would think he had a poor game. Tavar recorded four tackles but failed to record a sack or tackle for loss.
Still, neither of these players impacted the game like junior defensive lineman Jordan Tavai.
Remember, Tavai played most of the game as a nose tackle. The main job of a nose tackle isn't to get many tackles or sacks. Tavai's job was to fill the gaps for linebackers to get through and provide pressure on the quarterback.
And Tavai did just that.
Kansas Jayhawks huddle up during the first half of the match against South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday. Kansas defeated South Dakota State 31-17.
KANSAS 31 - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 17
ENOUGH FOR A WIN
Crist struggles in first game as Jayhawk while running backs shine
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
Kansas fans wanted to see fireworks from Dayne Crist on Saturday and they got them. On Kansas' first play of the game, Crist commanded a double play action pass and launched a 43-yard pass to senior Kale Pick to set the Jayhawks up on the South Dakota State 32-yard line.
Like a firework, Crist entered the game with a lot of smoke, flashed pretty colors and quickly faded into the night as the rungame took over. Charlie Weis alternated the use of his running backs for his first career win as a lajawkh.
Both sophomore Tony Pierson and junior Taylor Cox recorded more than 100 yards and at least a touchdown in Kansas 31-17 victory over South Dakota State University.
After Crist's trickery to open up the game, the highly touted quarterback had issues connecting with his receivers.
"I'm very disappointed in how I played," Crist said. "I left a ton of throws on the field."
Crist failed on connections to starting receivers D.J. Beshears five times, and Daymond Patterson three times. Beshears and Patterson ended up combining for nine catches and 71 yards. Both receivers were top targets for former Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb, and were thought to be key weapons for Crist.
"He was a little rusty." Weis said. "He went all last year without playing a game. Some of it is his fault, some of it is other guys' fault."
Crist did set off a few more
fireworks. A two-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Mike Ragone — the first of his collegiate career — was the decisive score of the game. Yet on the day, Crist was 17-36 with one interception and only 169 yards passing.
Weis and Crist chalked it up to getting a little too excited and not staying within Crist's limits. Both said it would be corrected,
and in the meantime, Crist was thankful for his running backs getting the job done.
"All the running backs in conjunction with the offensive line really carried the day," Crist said. "They got us through some lulls in the game."
That's not to say that the offense didn't get anything right.
On one of Kansas' more impressive drives, Crist threw a
seven-yard pass to Beshears for a first down. Next he handed off to Pierson who avoided a defender, cut to the right sideline and turned up field and sprinted 47-yards to the end zone.
"I give credit to the offensive line, receivers and tight ends," Pierson said. "They just opened up the holes for me to get to the secondary, make a move, and go for a touchdown."
Earlier last week, Crist said that if calling for a run on every down to secure a win was needed, he would be fine handing the ball off. It didn't quite come to that on Saturday, but when Big 12 play rolls around, 17 complications on 36 attempts won't cut it.
Edited by Hannah Wise
SOCCER
Jayhawks tie after 84th minute free-kick
Senior goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau leaps to stop an attempted goal while colliding with Northwestern's Maggie Graham in the 2011 season opener. The Jayhawks tied with Arizona State after a free-kick attempt in the $84^{\circ}$ minute.
TYLER BICWIRTH/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
After beating Creighton 3-0 on Friday, the jayhawks struggled during the first half of Sunday's game. Arizona State controlled play and had plenty of possession time, preventing Kansas from creating many opportunities.
ANDREW MORRIS
amorris@kansan.com
"I thought in the first half they were all over us, to be honest," coach Mark Francis said. "We didn't do a good job of pressuring their middle players."
A strong second half performance and a late free kick goal from senior forward Whitney Berry helped the soccer team secure a 2-2 draw against Arizona State on Sunday.
Despite the lack of scoring chances, it was the Jayhawks who found the net first when Ashley Williams tucked away Courtney Dickerson's low cross in the eighth minute. The goal was against the run of play but was created when Kansas' junior forward Caroline Kastor made a great turn at midfield to start the Kansas attack. The ball eventually came to Dickerson out wide before she played it across the goal for Williams to tuck into the empty net.
Kansas, averaging 20 shots per game, only created three shots during the first half and forced just one save by Arizona State goalkeeper Chandler Morris. Senior goalkeeper Katie trau had another impressive display, making five saves to keep the Jayhawks ahead at the end of the first half.
Kansas started the second half better than the first with more possession and more pressure on ASU.
"We made some adjustments at
nattme, Francis said. "I thought we dominated the second half."
Liebetrau also continued to play well but the Jayhawks' defense finally allowed their first goal in 950 minutes. A ball floated into the box and Arizona State forward Cali Farquharson headed the ball over Liebetrau and into the empty net to tie the game with 10 minutes to play.
In the 84th minute, the Sun Devils grabbed a shocking lead when Christina Schedel's long free kick floated into the top corner, giving Arizona State a 2-1 lead. Kansas made a slight argument when Liebetrau appeared to be pushed when trying to catch the ball, but no call was made and the goal stood.
Just 30 seconds after conceding the goal, Kansas was given a free kick 40 yards from goal. Many people expected Kansas to try to cross the ball into the box and head toward the goal, but Whitney Berry had other ideas. Berry's shot bounced off the crossbar before rolling across the line with just five minutes remaining and the score now level at 2-2.
"Our team never gives up," sophomore Jamie Fletcher said. "We came back after they scored that other goal and kept fighting and fighting."
Players on both sides showed fatigue during the overtime and each goalie was forced to make great saves in the golden goal period. Kansas improves to 4-1-1 on the season with games against Missouri State and North Carolina State next weekend.
Edited by Emma McEthaney