12A GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2006
KU
KICKOFF
AT A GLANCE
After suffering its first loss of the season last week, Kansas returns home to close out its non-conference schedule. The Jayhawks need to rebuild their confidence against an inexperienced South Florida squad. Against Toledo, Kansas struggled with turnovers — five giveaways and its inability to create them. This team must find a way to limit its turnovers to have a chance to win.
5 QUICK FACTS
16 — the number of games since Kansas last allowed a 100- yard rusher.
7 — the number of times junior punter Kyle Tucker has pinned an opponent inside their own 20 yard line in the last two games.
5. 9 — the number of yards averaged per carry by senior running back Jon Cornish.
6 — the rank of sophomore linebacker Mike Rivera in Big 12 in tackles, averaging nearly nine per game.
33. 7 — the average number of points scored by Kansas' offense this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Derek Fine. After virtually disappearing in Kansas' first two games, junior tight end Derek Fine finally made an impact in the loss to Toledo.
Fine
Fine led the team in receiving with five catches for 49 yards. For this offense to be successful, with or without Kerry Meier, Fine must be more involved.
QUESTION MARKS
QUARTERBACKS — No matter who's taking snaps this weekend, the quarterback position should be an adventure. If Meier starts, he may not be fully healthy, if Adam Barmann starts, it'll be his first playing time in more than a year. Either way, neither of Kansas' quarterbacks may be fully prepared.
SCOTT WEBB — Kansas junior kicker has missed both of his kicks this season. Webb made big kicks earlier in his career, but struggled with both a short and long attempt. If his start to the season has affected his confidence, that could spell bad news if this game is close late.
GAME DAY GAME-TIME DECISION Meier's status a mystery
KANSAS VS. SOUTH FLORIDA 6 p.m., Saturday, Memorial Stadium, FSN
Kansas
Offense
Kansas' offense was held back against Toledo because of Meier's four interceptions. It also didn't help that Meier injured his right arm during the game. With Meer listed as a possible gametime decision for Saturday and Barmann as the second-string quarterback, this offense will rely heavily on Jon Cornish. The senior running back has failed to gain at least 100 yards in his last two games. With the quarterback position in a state of flux this week, it will be up to Cornish to carry the load against USF.
Defense
Kansas' defense put together its best outing of the season against Toledo. M an g i n o said that other than touchdowns scored by Toledo at the end of the first half and the game-winning score, he was pleased with their performance. Toledo was
South Florida
held without a first down through the entire second half. The pass defense also looked improved with the return of Agib Talib to the starting lineup. Now, the defense must work on finding a way to create turnovers. With its quarterback situation questionable, Kansas' offense will need all the extra possessions it can get.
Momentum
How last week's close loss affects Kansas should be seen early. If the team comes out strong, the game should have little carry over. But if the Jayhawks struggle, the longer it takes the team to rebound, the more trouble this team could be in. Kansas can't let the loss or quarterback situation become a distraction. If they do, it's a long week of practice before heading up to Lincoln. Neb. to take on a steaming-mad Cornhusker squad.
Offense
The South Florida offense revolves around its quarterback, freshman Matt Grothe, who has accounted for 70.2 percent of his team's 1,225 total yards of offense. In addition to being South Florida's leading passer, Grothe is its leading rusher with 213 yards. The Bulls have used a running back-by-committee approach thus far with five running backs combining for 259 yards. South Florida also spreads the ball around through the air more successfully than it does on the ground. The Bulls completed passes to 11 players last week for 333 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Ean Randolph, sophomore wide receiver Marcus Edwards, sophomore wide receiver Amp Hill and junior wide receiver Amarri Jackson have caught passes in every game this season and have combined for 380 yards and four touchdowns.
Ryan Schneider
Defense
The South Florida defense has held opponents to 15.7 points per game and 261.3 yards per game. However, Kansas is averaging 33.7 points per game and 356 yards per game, so South Florida will find out how good its defense really is. The Bulls could gain an edge on the Jayhawks by forcing turnovers. The Bulls have forced seven and the Jayhawks have given the ball away nine times this season. Between linebackers Ben Moffitt and Pat St. Louis, South Florida will make Kansas earn its rushing yards. The two have 37 combined tackles, 22 of those solo. Freshman defensive end George Selvie and junior cornerback Trae Williams could give Kansas' quarterback fits. Selvie has 2.5 sacks and Williams has four interceptions.
M omen
tum
South Florida won its first road against Central Florida
The Bulls should certainly have the momentum advantage on the Jayhawkscoming into Saturday. While Kansas faltered down the stretch in its first road game last week, game on the
touchdown pass to Randolph with 3:20 left in the game. However, the Bulls will still be without sophomore running back Ricky Ponton, sophomore defensive end Josh Julmiste and junior wide receiver Jackie Chambers. The three have yet to play a game this season after failing drug tests for a second time. South Florida also has the luxury of a proven veteran behind Grothe in senior Pat Julmiste. So if Grothe struggles, the Bulls will have a second option.
Shawn Shroyer
USF KICKOFF
ATAGLANCE
South Florida is 3-0 to start a season for the second time in its history, but has yet to play a team of Kansas' caliber. It didn't pull away from Division I-AA McNeese State until the fourth quarter and squeaked out victories in the final minutes against Florida Atlantic (0-3) and Central Florida (1-2). The Bulls are 0-2 all-time against Big 12 Conference teams and Saturday will be their first game outside of Florida this season.
5 QUICK FACTS
0 — South Florida has zero victories all-time against Big 12 schools. South Florida lost to Baylor in 2000 and Oklahoma in 2002.
1 — Matt Grothe is ranked No. 1 among all Division I-A freshman quarterbacks in total passing yards, passing yards per game, total offense per game, and is tied for first in touchdown passes with Southern Methodist's Justin Willis and Kansas' Kerry Meier.
4-0 — South Florida hasn't gone 4-0 to start a season since 1998.
86. 6 — Grothe accounted for 86.6 percent of South Florida's offense last week.
1997 The inaugural season of the South Florida football program.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Matt Grothe
Grothe
The freshman quarterback hasn't played like a freshman, having led South Florida to come-from-behind victories in
every game this
season. He also threw game-winning touchdown passes the last two weeks with less than 3:30 to go in both games.
QUESTION MARKS
OUT OF THE GATE — In its first three games, South Florida has gotten off to slow starts and been outscored 40-21 in the first half of those games. As a result, the Bulls have had to play catch-up with a freshman quarterback.
RUNNING GAME — South Florida's top three running backs have combined for just 228 rushing yards, in three games. If Kansas plays as well against the pass as it did last week, South Florida will have to find success on the ground.
NATIONAL GAMES OF INTEREST
No.22 Arizona State at No.21 California 2:30 p.m.Saturday
This Pac-10 match-up will likely decide which team will remain in the Top 25. Arizona State hasn't beaten Cal since 2000, but Arizona State is averaging more points per game and California lost the last time it played a ranked opponent.
Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter is seventh In the nation with 842 passing yards and has thrown nine touchdown passes, but the Sun Devils are 47th in the nation in nushing.
Cal is 10th in the nation in yards per game thanks to a balanced attack. Quarterback Nathan Longshore has 610 passing yards and six touchdowns while running back Marshawn Lynch has 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson is the Bears' most dangerous receiving threat with 304 yards and five touchdowns.
No. 24 Penn State at No.1 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC
Last season Texas and Penn State were the only teams to blemish Ohio State's record. The Longhorns have already fallen at the hands of the Buckeyes this season and the Nittany Lions may be next.
If Penn State is to upset Ohio State again this year, it will need to slow the game down by running. Running backs Tony Hunt and Rodney Kinlaw have combined for 374 rushing yards and Hunt has two touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Morelli has performed adequately with 549 yard and four touchdowns, but won't be able to heat Ohio State in a shootout.
History will be in Ohio State's favor. The Buckeyes have never lost a conference game to the Nittany Lions at home. It also doesn't hurt that quarterback Troy Smith has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wisconsin at No. 6 Michigan, 11:00 a.m. Saturday on ESPN
Michigan can't afford a letdown after its upset of Notre Dame last week: Last season, Wisconsin ended Michigan's streak of 23 straight conference opener victories. Michigan will look to return the favor this year with a smothering defense.
Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco has been decent this season with 436 passing yards and three touchdowns, but the Badgers will depend on their running game. To counteract Wisconsin's rushing attack, Michigan boasts the best rushing defense in the nation, allowing only 20.7 yards per game.
Wide receiver Mario Manningham and linebacker Prescott Burgess earned Big Ten Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors last week for their performances against Notre Dame.