PAGE 6B
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW
KANSAS 2-10 IN 2011
OFFENSE
Kansas fans finally get a much anticipated look at highly touted quarterback Dayne Crist, and coach Charlie Weis' esteemed play-calling. Tony Pierson and Taylor Cox will offer a speedy and powerful backfield that is sure to pick up yards if the offensive line can hold up its share of the bargain, but all eyes will be on Crist's every move.
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 D.J. Beshears 15 Sr.
WR Daymond Patterson 86 Sr.
TE Mike Ragone 84 Sr.
RT Gavin Howard 70 Jr.
RG Jeremiah Hatch 77 Sr.
C Trevor Marrongelli 69 Sr.
LG Duane Zlatnik 67 Sr.
LT Tanner Hawkinson 72 Sr.
K Ron Doherty 13 Jr.
QUESTION MARKS
Can the new-look Jayhawks put it all together?
The players are bigger, the talent is better and the coaches are experienced, but how will it look on the field? The defense has an experienced leader in Dave Campo but is relatively the same as last year. Will the coaching be the difference?
BY THE NUMBERS
Kansas victories since the 2008 Orange Bowl.
18
26
Amount of teams Charlie Weis and Dave Campo have coached on.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Dayne Crist made only 24 pass attempts last season with Notre Dame, but in a starting role at Kansas he'll most likely exceed that total on Saturday. With Daymond Patterson, Kale Pick and D.J. Beshears starting at wide receiver, Christ will have enough weapons to make plays, but how consistently and effectively he can run the offense remains to be seen.
AT A GLANCE
MOMENTUM
Former Kansas coach Turner Gill began his Jayhawk tenure with a 6-3 loss at home to North Dakota State. Current coach Weis won't allow the same fate to happen to him. With a jam-packed schedule, this should be one of the easier matchups for Kansas all season, and one they can't let go floating by.
With Charlie Weis comes hope, and hope has brought excitement back to a program that hasn't had any since the 2008 Insight Bowl. After two lackluster seasons under Turner Gill, any improvement will add to the increasing optimism around Memorial Stadium.
COACHING
Charlie Weis enters his first season as a Jayhawk and first as a head coach since getting booted from Notre Dame in 2009. Weis came to Kansas to build up a program in Lawrence along with a shot at personal redemption. He has famously succeeded as an offensive coordinator at every level but has yet to make his mark as a head coach.
STARTING LINEUP
DEFENSE
The Jayhawk defenders have returned to Lawrence noticeably much bigger and stronger. Led by senior captain Toben Opurum, and spurred on by defensive coordinator Dave Campo, they shouldn't be the lowest ranked defense in the FBS anymore, but holding off a barrage of scoring will still be a concern. Look for junior college transfer Jordan Tavai to make an impact right away on the defensive line at nose tackle.
| Pos. | NAME | No. | Year |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| DE | Josh Williams | 95 | Sr. |
| N | Jordan Tavai | 9 | Jr. |
| T | Keba Agostinho | 96 | 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. |
| FS | Lubbock Smith | 1 | Sr. |
| FS | Bradley McDougald | 24 | Sr. |
| P | Ron Doherty | 13 | Jr. |
SPECIAL TEAMS
After leading the nation in net punting last season, kicker Ron Doherty returns to pick up he left off, hopefully with less required work on his behalf. On the other side of the ball, D.J. Beshears looks to build on his speedy return game from last season and give the Jayhawks every chance to pack on the points.
Edited by Stéphane Roque
PREDICTION 45-13,KANSAS
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF ...
The Jayhawks come out strong in the first half and take control early. It's been a while since the Jayhawks pushed around a team, and on Saturday they have their chance.
BABY JAY WILL WEEP IF ...
The Jackrabbits find a way to win. Kansas fans remember the loss to North Dakota State, who are also a member of the Missouri Valley conference. Jayhawk fans want to see a much stronger outing against a team from the Football Championship Subdivision (former Division 1-AA).
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 5-6 IN 2011
5-6 IN 2011
OFFENSE
Tyreel Kool led the Jackrabbits in rushing yards with 534 and rushing touchdowns with four last season, but was moved to more of a receiver role in the offseason. With Austin Summer doubtful, freshman quarterback Eric Kline has two seniors he can rely on in Kool and Rollin along with tight end Seth Daughters. Expect the Jackrabbits to try and contain Toben Opurum and go pass heavy against the Jayhawks with their 10 returning starters.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Austin Sumner 6 So.
HB Zach Zenner 31 Jr.
WR Aaron Rollin 5 Sr.
WR Tyrel Kool 2 Sr.
WR Brandon Hubert 23 Jr.
TE Seth Daughters 86 Sr.
LT Bryan Witzmann 76 LG Alex Parker 65 Jr.
C Will Castle 78 Sr.
RG Josh Kage 64 Jr.
RT Trevor Greger 66 So.
K Justin Syrovatka 49 So.
QUESTION MARKS
Can South Dakota State put up an impressive showing against Kansas?
South Dakota State is 0-4 against Football Bowl Subdivision (former Division 1) opponents since moving to the FCS in 2004. A win against Kansas would give the Jackrabbits some bragging rights in their conference. This Saturday marks the Jackrabbits first chance to avenge their 85-6 loss to Kansas 65 years ago. That is also the only meeting between the teams, and the last time the Jayhawks scored 80 points in a game.
BY THE NUMBERS
O
13
10
PLAYER TO WATCH
Number of touchdowns South Dakota State allowed the last time these two teams met, an 86-6 Jayhawk victory in 1947.
Senior tight end Seth Daughters looks to bounce back this year after catching three passes for 19 yards in last year's season opener against Southern Utah before suffering a season knee ending injury. Daughters is one of five captains on the team and has high expectations.
Number of wins the Jackrabbits have in season openers under John Stiegelmeier
AT A GLANCE
The Jackrabbits are more of a passing team and have not found much success on the ground. Last season, the Jackrabbits had two receivers with more than 900 yards receiving. One of the two, Aaron Rollin, will return with the Jackrabbits. The former Lee's Summit West high school player led the team in receiving touchdowns with seven and looks to establish himself as the clear number one receiver this season.
MOMENTUM
Despite losing four of their first five games to start the 2011 season, the Jackrabbits finished the season on a strong note, winning their final three games to finish the season with a 5-6 record. The Jackrabbits hope to continue that streak into 2012.
COACHING
Josh Stiegelmeier enters his 15th year as the head coach of his alma mater, South Dakota State. He served nine seasons as an assistant with the Jackrabbits before being promoted to head coach. In his 15 years at the helm, Stiegelmeir has posted a 93-72 record, and led the team to their first playoff appearance in 30 years in 2009.
Pos. NAME No. Year
DE Doug Peete 34 Jr.
DE Marshall Peugh 69 Sr.
DT Andy Mink 52 Fr.
NT David Hettiger 54 So.
LB Ross Shafrath 44 Sr.
LB T.J. Lally 33 So.
LB Chris Tracy 7 Jr.
CB Winston Wright 14 Sr.
CB David Godley 21 Jr.
SS Skyler Luxa 37 Fr.
FS Bo Helm 19 Jr.
P Ethan Sawyer 9 So.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore kicker Justin Syrovatka connected on only six of 10 field goals last season. The Jackrabbits offense may consider going for it on fourth down rather than punt the football if they are in Jayhawks territory and the game is still close. Aaron Rollin and Dom Wright, both products of Lee's Summit, Mo., will be the primary returners on special teams. Wright returned 10 kicks and four punts last year as the backup retainer. He is replacing Zach Zenner, who returned kicks for the Jayhawks last season but will focus more on his role as the starting running back this year.
STARTING LINEUP
DEFENSE
Senior defensive back Bo Helm and junior defensive back Winston Wright are both captains and leaders of the defense. Helm tied for second on the team in pass breakups with four and sixth in tackles with 55. Wright led the team with three interceptions and seven pass breakups and earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors last season. The Jackrabbits will run a standard 4-3 defense to counter the Jayhawks pro-style offense attack.
—Edited by Ethan Padway
Y