FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2004
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actions.com
Longhorns' backfield could gore 'Hawks defense
BY RYAN COLARIANI AND JONATHAN KEALING sports@kansan.com KANSAN SPORTWRITERS
Overall
The Kansas Jayhawks will host one of the nation's best running teams when the Texas Longhorns come to Memorial Stadium tomorrow.
The Longhorns have the top rushing attack in the Big 12 Conference, and they rank second nationally at 506.7 yards per game.
The attack is led by running back Cedric Benson, who is the leading rusher in the Big 12. Quarterback Vincent Young is also a threat to run the ball; he has nearly 700 yards rushing for the year.
Kansas will start walk-on quarterback John Nielsen, who took over for injured junior Jason Swanson last week against Colorado. Kansas' defense has been strong all year, but the Texas offense is too tough to match.
Edge: Texas
Quarterback
Only Texas Tech has a higher-ranked scoring offense in the Big 12 than Texas. Leading that offense is the job of Young, who has the fifth-best pass efficiency rating in the Big 12.
Kansas' quarterback situation is a bit more tenuous. With sophomore starter Adam Barmann and junior back-up Jason Swanson both out with shoulder injuries, Kansas is down to Nielsen and senior Brian Luke, who has shown a propensity for fumbling the football.
Nielsen threw for more than 150 yards last Saturday, but he's an unproven player.
Young is a strong quarterback in an offense that relies on the run. If it weren't for their quarterback injuries, the Jayhawks might have a chance.
Edge: Texas
Running Back
Texas is the only Big 12 team averaging more than 306 yards per game on the ground, and Benson is the only Big 12 player who has rushed for more than 15 touchdowns this season. He has 17 touchdowns and 1,438 yards this season.
Kansas' running back tandem of sophomore John Randle and junior Clark Green has been slowed considerably by different injuries during the last several games.
Neither ranks in the top 12 of Big 12 rushers, but Randle is seventh in all-purpose yards with 1.057.
Randle may rival Benson's skills down the road, but he's still developing.
Edge: Texas
Wide Receivers
With Nielsen at quarterback, the Jayhawks will have a limited ability to throw the ball deep to their wide receivers.
The Kansas receiving corps is led by senior Brandon Rideau and junior Mark Simmons, who have combined for 800 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
Texas throws to tight end Bo Scaife often; he has 17 grabs for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
While the Longhorns average only 153.7 yards passing per game compared to the Jayhawks' 208.7, they still have the threat of throwing deep with Young.
Young must beware of Charles Gordon, however, as Gordon leads the conference with six interceptions. With the Kansas offense's inability to throw deep, look for the Longhorn wide receivers to have a good day.
Offensive Line
Edge: Texas
With one of the best rushing offenses in the country, the Longhorns are bound to have one of the best offensive lines. This offensive line is opening up big holes for Benson and Young to run through.
running backs to gain yards. The Jayhawks are averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. With Texas' ability to run the football, the edge goes to the Longhorns.
Edge: Texas
Linebackers
Kansas' junior combo of linebackers have been some of the best in the conference. Rivaling them for "Best-of-the-Big-12" honors is Texas.
Both Kansas and Texas have two linebackers among the top 20 in total tackles. Kansas' Nick Reid is second overall with 89, while
Texas senior Derrick Johnson is third overall with 78.
Texas' linebacker corps is a combination of experienced players and one who has only started recently.
Leading the way is Johnson with three letters. On the flipside is junior Eric Hall, who has been with the team for just one season.
Joining Reid for Kansas is Kevin Kane, who is second on the team in tackles with 58 tackles.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line
The defensive linemen have stopped the run well, also. They are allowing just over 120 yards rushing per contest, fifth in the conference. But the Kansas defensive line is better against the run.
The Longhorns have been successful getting pressure on the opposing quarterback, and they have 11 sacks on the season.
Defensive end Tim Crowder anchors the Texas line, who has three sacks on the season.
The Jahawks are giving up 112 yards per contest and have allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns in the conference with seven.
Tony Stubbs
Texas coach Mack Brown is one of the most successful coaches in college football.
After he left North Carolina for Texas, North Carolina declined and Texas surged to being a perennial contender.
Coaches
Brown has had a difficult time
with Mark Mangino on the one occasion they faced each other.
Mangino should be giver credit for all that he has accomplished, especially in light of all the injuries his team has accumulated.
But as he is fond of saying, injuries are a part of college football.
If Mangino could squeak out a win in this game, he could definitely make an argument for Coach of the Year. Until then, though, we tip our hats to Brown.
Edge: Texas
Edited by Bill Cross
kansan.com The student newspaper of the University of Kansas
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