6B
GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
FRIDAY OCTOBER 6, 2006
FRIDAY,OCTOBER 6,2006
KU KICKOFF
ATAGLANCE
After dropping another road game in overtime, Kansas returns to Memorial Stadium for its home Big 12 Conference opener. The Jayhawks haven't won a game against a South Division team since 2003. If Kansas wants to have a chance in its Homecoming game, it must get an early lead. Because Texas A&M likes to run the football and use up the clock, Kansas' offense will get fewer possessions. If A&M's running backs are successful, and Kansas gets off to a slow start like it did last week in Nebraska, this game could be over very quickly.
5 QUICK FACTS
9 - consecutive home wins at Memorial Stadium, a school-record
4 - consecutive Kansas games on television
15 - Kansas' average margin of victory at home during its nine-game winning streak.
1 - Kansas' number of all-time wins against A&M
2- the number of players, Brian Murph and Dexton Fields, that had at least 100 yards receiving against Nebraska
PLAYER TO WATCH
James McClinton. The junior defensive lineman recorded a
McClinton
career-high seven tackles, including four solo tackles, last week against Nebraska. Against a Texas A&M team that runs the
football nearly 41 times a game, it'll be important for McClinton to get adequate pressure up the middle to stuff the run. McClinton has been among the leaders of the defensive line, which hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher since the end of the 2004 season.
QUESTION MARK
SECONDARY - Kansas' secondary was burned early and often in last week's overtime loss at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers had three touchdown passes of 75 yards or more. The secondary seemed to be improving since a horrific outing against Louisiana-Monroe, but last week's game showed that Mangino's young secondary has some work left to do. They won't be tested much this week by Aggies quarterback Stephen McGee, but when they are, the Jayhawks can't afford to keep giving up the big play.
GAME GAME OF FIELD POSITION Kickers may make the difference
KANSAS VS. TEXAS A&M 11 a.m., Saturday, Memorial Stadium, FSN
Kansas
Offense
Freshman quarterback Kerry Meier has been medically cleared to play Saturday, but that doesn't mean a thing. Instead, Meier must show Mangino that he's ready to be handed the offense once again. Minus a terrible first quarter, Kansas' offense played its best game of the season against Nebraksa. If Meier does return this week, you have to wonder how much of an adjustment period there will be back to Meier's run-pass option. The safe bet would be to start Barmann another week to keep the offense's momentum going.
Texas A&M
Offense
Kansas will face the best rushing attack it has seen all season on Saturday. The Aggies lead the Big 12 Conference in rushing, averaging nearly 215 yards a game. Aside from its two running backs, Jovorskie Lane and Courtney Lewis, A&M quarterback Stephen McGee also rushes the ball for more than 50 yards a game. The game will likely be decided by Kansas' front seven and their ability to stop the run.
Defense
There's no secret to Texas A&M's recipe for success on offense. The Aggies lead the Big 12 in rushing at a clip of 214.8 yards per game and they're doing it by committee. Sophomore running back Jorvorskie Lane leads the team with 301 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Stephen McGee isn't far behind with 261 rushing yards and a touchdown. Freshman Mike Goodson and senior Courtney Lewis have combined for 337 rushing yards and two touchdowns. McGee has also been an effective passer, completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 923 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Chad Schroeder has been his most reliable receiver, averaging 20.1 yards per catch and hauling in three touchdowns.
Defense
Texas A&M is toward the bottom of the Big 12 against the run, allowing more than 100 yards per game, but that's partially because it has been so successful in its pass defense. Before playing pass-happy Texas Tech last week, Texas A&M was
sixth in the nation in pass defense. The Aggies
Momentum
While the defense has bent, it rarely breaks. The Aggies are first in the Big 12 in red zone defense. Senior Justin Warren is ninth among conference linebackers, averaging 7.6 tackles per game. While he has 38 tackles on the season, only six have been solo. Junior defensive end Chris Harrington is sixth in 12 with 3.5 tackles
Chris Harrington is sixth in the 1.2 Big with 3.5acks this season.
Kansas played well enough for most of the game last week to get the victory against Nebraska, but mistakes plauged the team all night long. In its first five games, Kansas has turned the ball over 15 times. Mangino has made forcing turnovers an emphasis this season, but if his team doesn't stop committing turnovers, they will be in trouble. The first quarter against Nebraska showed that if Kansas turns the ball over against a quality opponent, the Jayhawks will pay.
— Ryan Schneider
Momentum
Texas A&M can win the field battle with its special teams.
Sophomore punter Justin Brantly is averaging 49.5 yards per punt, which would lead the nation by more than two yards if he had enough attempts to qualify. The Aggies are also first in the nation in kickoff return average, and Junior Kerry Franks returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown last week against Texas Tech. This game will have a little added Importance for coach Dennis Franchione, who was born in Girard and raised in Cherokee. Saturday will be his first game at Memorial Stadium as a head coach.
Scott Webb
— Shawn Shroyer
A&M KICKOFF
ATAGLANCE
Texas A&M is coming off a heartbreaking, conference-opening 31-27 loss to Texas Tech last week. However, the Aggles haven't lost back-to-back games to begin their conference schedule since 1995. Although Texas A&M played Army at a neutral stadium three weeks ago, Saturday will be the Aggies' first road game. Texas A&M hasn't played its first road game of the season this late since 1984. The only time Kansas native Dennis Franchione faced Kansas as head coach, his Aggles defeated the Jayhawks 45-33 at home in 2003.
5 QUICK FACTS
8 - offenses in the country, including Texas A&M, that are averaging 200 passing and 200 rushing yards per game
13. 2 - points per game running back Jorvorskie Lane has averaged entering Saturday's game
26 - seconds remaining in last week's game when Texas Tech scored its game-winning touchdown
36. 8 - average yards per kick return for junior Kerry Franks, which is tops in the conference
54. 5 - percent of the time Texas A&M has allowed opponents to score in the red zone, which is best in the Big 12 by 12.2 percent
PLAYER TO WATCH
Texas A&M sophomore quarterback Stephen McGee. In limited action last season, Mc-
McGee
Gee showed potential,but completed just 45.3 percent of his passes,had a 98.8 passing efficiency and two touchdowns
to one interception. This season his completion percentage is up to 64.5. McGee is also a threat to run the ball, with the second most rushing yards on the team. However, he has yet to play a game outside of Texas this season.
QUESTION MARKS
STEPHEN MCGEE - McGee suffered a slight concussion in the second quarter of the Texas Tech game, but played through it. He's been cleared to play, but how will he handle the first hit he takes Saturday?
TIME OF POSSESSION - Texas A&M is tied for second in the Big 12 in time of possession, trailing Kansas by 13 seconds per game. Can the Aggies control the ball like they have all season?
BIG 12 GAMES OF INTEREST
No. 7 Texas (4-1) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma (3-1) in Dallas,
Saturday 2:30 p.m, on ABC
Last year Texas rode Heisman hopeful Vince Young to its first victory over Oklahoma since 1999. This year, Oklahoma hopes its Heisman hopeful, running back Adrian Peterson, will get it back on the winning track against the burnt-orange rivals.
Young is gone at quarterback for Texas, but freshman Colt McCoy has played well so far this season, completing 71.1 percent of his passes for 846 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. However, he will need to improve upon his last performance against a ranked opponent. Against Ohio State, McCoy completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 154 yards, one touchdown, and one pick.
yards, one hit. Peterson has steamrolled opponents this season on his way to 643 rushing yards, which is fifth-best in the nation, and seven touchdowns. Texas will be unlike any team Peterson has faced, though, allowing just 36.6 rushing yards a game, which is second-best in the country.
BY SHAWFELSHROYER
No. 23 Missouri (5-0) at Texas Tech (4-1), Saturday 6 p.m.on TBS
This match-up will prove pivotal for a pair of teams with hopes of playing in the Big 12 Championship game. Missouri leads the all-time series 3-2, but Saturday will mark Texas Tech's homecoming. The Red Raiders have won 10 of their last 14 homecoming games, including a 52-38 victory against Missouri in 2002.
Texas Tech is king of the Big 12 when it comes to passing offense, but Missouri is one of two conference teams that have more total yards of offense per game than the Red Raiders. Quarterback Chase Daniel is a huge reason why. He's averaging 254.6 passing yards per game and is second on the team with 130 rushing yards.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell and receivers Robert Johnson and Joel Filani have given defenses headaches this season. Harrell and Johnson connected for the game-winning touchdown last week against Texas A&M.
p.m. on ABC
No. 22 Nebraska (4-1) at Iowa State (3-2), Saturday 7 n.m. on ABC
Both teams are coming off home victories last week, but neither came easily. Kansas took Nebraska to overtime after trailing by as much as 17 points. Sandwiched between games against Texas and Nebraska, Northern Iowa was supposed to give Iowa State a break. Instead, the Cyclones escaped with a 28-27 victory.
Nebraska will likely try to pound Iowa State with its running game. The Cornhuskers are tied for second in the Big 12 in time of possession and the Cyclones are 10th in the conference in rushing defense. No matter what Nebraska does, it should have no problem reaching the end zone. The Huskers are first in the conference in scoring, and the Cyclones have the worst scoring defense in the Big 12.
2017
LEBRON 9
As usual, Iowa State will depend on quarterback Bret Meyer Saturday. He has scored 66 of the teams' 120 points this season and has accounted for 75 percent of the Cyclone's total yards of offense.