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9.27.99
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Rookie quarterback throws Jayhawk defense for a loop
By Michael Rigg sports@kanson.com
Kansas sportwriter
He left a hero
San Diego State quarterback Jack Hawley entered Saturday's game against Kansas as a relatively unheard of junior college transfer who threw four interceptions in his last game.
Hawley, making only his second start for the Aztecs, torched the Jayhawks defense for 331 yards and three touchdowns, and in the process he became the third in a line of athletic quarterbacks Kansas has struggled with in 1999.
Hawley's performance, not to mention the 41-13 final score, left the Jayhawks shell-shocked.
"We were totally surprised." defensive
lineman Justin Sands said. "Hawley's a good ball player, but you never expect anyone to do that to you."
Hawley put on a show in the second quarter. Early in the period, he narrowly avoided the Jayhawk rush and fired to wide receiver Sean Pierce for a 22-yard touchdown. On the Aztecs' next drive, Hawley completed a strike to wide receiver Derrick Lewis for a 62-yard score and the rout was on. The Aztecs led 31-0 at the half.
Jayhawks coach Terry Allen said that Hawley's second quarter performance turned the game upside down.
"San Diego State came in here and did some great things with the football. Hawley came out and was very accurate," Allen said.
Hawley's performance is the latest in
what is becoming a disturbing pattern for the Jayhawks. They have been torched by mobile quarterbacks early and often in the team's 1-3 start.
In the season opener, Notre Dame quarterback Jarius Jackson's dangerous run-or-pass style of play led the Irish to a 48-13 win and 452 yards of total offense. Last week against Colorado, the Buffaloes' Mike Moscetti lit up the Jayhawks for 216 yards before leaving the game because of an injury shortly before halftime in a 51-17 Colorado victory. This week, Kansas thought it would be a different story with the inexperienced and relatively unknown Hawley, but it was not to be.
"We didn't think he would be able to do that," Allen said after the defeat.
Four Aztecs had more than 30 yards
receiving on the night, and running back Jonas Lewis ran wild on the Kansas defense, as he accumulated 103 yards and 7.4 yards per rush.
Sands said the Jayhawk defense must improve in every aspect for this season to evolve into a successful one.
"We need to improve on everything." Sands said. "They heat us in every way."
In their three losses, the Jayhawks have surrendered nearly 48 points per game.
Despite the earlier setbacks, Allen's defensive philosophy against the Aztecs was simple: have the Jayhawk defensive backs play off the Aztec receivers in a zone defense, and let Hawley try to beat Kansas with pinpoint short passes. However, after Hawley's second quarter performance, Allen scrapped the original plan and switched to man-on-man coverage and a more aggressive style up front.
The switch had limited success, as the Jayhawks limited San Diego State to 13 points in the second half. However, Allen said the defense's performance on Saturday night had more to do with motivation and less to do with effort.
"We had some guys that looked like they were just sitting there flat-footed," Allen said. "Quite very well, they might have been. Emotions are such an important part of things. I've screamed and ranted and raved enough."
Lomax agreed.
"We just need to play a little bit harder defensively," Lomax said. "We need to find a way to get going on the front seven and get pressure. We have a lot of things to work on, and we need to find a way to get us motivated."
San Diego 41, Kansas 13
Kansas junior defensive back Kareem High tackles San Diego State running back Larry Ned. Photo By Chad Cummings/KANSAN
Kansas defensive back Andrew Davison attempts to knock down a San Diego State pass to wide receiver Derrick Lewis. Photo by Christina Neff/KANSAN
Kansas softball 3, Pittsburg State 0
Kansas outside linebacker Algie Atkinson,
sophomore, tackles a San Diego State player.
Photo by Chad Cummings/KANSAN.
left Third baseman Megan Urquhart watches a high pitch over the plate and takes a ball. Kansas defeated Pittsburg State yesterday 3-0 in the final game of the home tournament.
right. Katie Malone is congratulated after scoring off a sacrifice fly by Shelly Musser. The Jayhawks defeated Pittsburg State 3-0 yesterday and swept the tournament winning all six games. Photos by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
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