8B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
KU KICKOFF
AT A GLANCE
As Kansas continues its nonconference competition, the foes get tougher each week. The Jayhawks will meet their first Division I-A opponent this season Saturday, taking on Louisiana-Monroe. Because its competition continues to improve, Kansas can't afford to get off to the slow start it did last week. Mangino said it was good to see the team face adversity early in the season, but he won't be happy if his team continues to fall behind early on a weekly basis.
5 QUICK FACTS
3 The number of consecutive victories by the Jayhawks, the second longest streak of the Mangino era.
23 Consecutive starts by senior center David Ochoa.
9 Jayhawks that made their first career start against Northwestern State.
140 — Rushing yards last week by senior Jon Cornish, a career-high.
7 — Consecutive victories for Kansas when playing at Memorial Stadium.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Fresh man running back Jake Sharp ran for nearly 40 yards in his colle-
glate debut last Saturday. As the main backup for Cornish, Sharp should see significant time in the backfield throughout the season. Sharp's size enables him to squeeze through small holes created by the offensive line. He was able to do that against Northwestern State and turn what would have been short runs into big gains.
QUESTION MARKS
Secondary -- Kansas may still be without preseason All-Big 12 cornerback Aqib Talib, who was reportedly suspended for the team's first two games. Even with senior safety Jerome Kemp returning last week, Kansas' secondary gave up nearly 220 yards passing. With several new starters this season, the secondary might take a few more weeks to develop.
Specialists — Both punter Kyle Tucker and kicker Scott Webb struggled in the season opener. While Mangino said that both would be working to correct the errors that caused several miscues on special teams last week, more problems this week would signal a bad trend.
MONROE DOCTRINE Kansas must stop quarterback
KANSAS VS. LOUISIANA-MONROE 6 p.m. Saturday; Memorial Stadium
Kansas
Offense
Kansas' offense put together a fairly balanced attack last week, with Jon Cornish rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown, and Kerry Meier throwing for touchdowns and running for two scores, as well. After a slow start, the offense seemed to find its stride, especially in the second half, scoring touchdowns on three of six possessions. The Jayhawks' offense is a drastic improvement over the unit's performance last season, but will need to be crisper early in the game.
Defense
Louisiana-Monroe
The Kansas defense fared surprisingly well in its opening game of the season, despite nearly half of its players making their first career starts on Saturday. Throughout the offseason, Mangino has been very optimistic about this season's defense. Although they made a few key stops early in the game, against a team like Northwestern State, the secondary shouldn't be giving up more than 200 yards passing.
Offense
The Warhawk offense was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act last week. While racking up 320 total yards, the offense reached the endzone just twice because of four turnovers. This offense will go as far as sophomore dual-threat quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster can take it. Seven players had at least one reception last week, so Lancaster will need to continue to spread the ball around, but not too much, as he threw two interceptions last week.
The Warhawks can relieve some of the pressure on Lancaster with a successful rushing game. Junior Calvin Dawson and senior Erroll Hogan combined for 115 rushing yards last week, averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry.
Momentum
After an ugly start to the Northwestern State game, Kansas rallied
western State game, Kansas rallied and eventually put up 49 points,the most in a season opener since 1992.Not only did the special teams get Kansas into an early 6-0 hole,the offense sputtered in its first two possessions.The defense fared well,but the secondary allowed too many long passing plays for a team like Northwestern State. As the season progresses,the Jayhawks will not be able to afford to get off to such a slow start. This team has much work to do still - and fast as a national television date with Toledo is just a week away.
Jon Cornish
The Louisiana-Monroe defense sur rendered just 40 rushing yards last week, which is impressive considering its inexperience up front. All four starters on the line are new to the starting lineup this season. Loui-
Defense
Ryan Schnoider
siiana-Monroe also has three new starters at linebacker from last season. True freshman Cardia Jackson had the most impressive debut of the Warhawks' linebackers. He was second on the team with five tackles and recovered a fumble. Louisiana-Monroe's strength on defense is its secondary where all four players started in 2005. The Warhawks' defense recovered three fumbles and picked off two passes last week. Junior cornerback James Wright returned his interception 33 yards for a touchdown.
Momentum
Louisiana-Monroe is 1-0 for the first time under fourth-year coach Charlie Weatherbie. In addition, Saturday will be a homecoming of sorts for Weatherbie, who was born in Sedan and graduated from Fort Scott High School. This week, Weatherbie said his team would need to improve on its special teams, but his special teams units performed well last week. Junior kicker Ragan Waiters converted his only field goal attempt and all three of his extra point attempts. Senior Kevin Payne averaged 42.2 yards-per-punt with a long of 60 yards, and junior running back Calvin Dawson averaged 22.5 yards per kickoff return.
-Shawn Shroyer
ULM KICKOFF
AT A GLANCE
Louisiana-Monroe defeated Alcorn State in its season opener, 24-6. The Warhawks posted 14 points in the final quarter to clinch the victory and gained 310 total yards to the Braves' 205 total yards. Saturday will mark the first meeting between Louisiana-Monroe and Kansas, and Kansas is the only big 12 school Louisiana-Monroe will play this season. However, Kansas is the first of four BCS-elegible teams Louisiana-Monroe will play. The other three are Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky, all from the SEC.
5 QUICK FACTS
4 — The number of positions senior Kevin Payne played last week: punter, punt returner, safety and kick returner.
5 — The Warhawks forced five turnovers last week, but had four of their own and almost lost two more fumbles.
27-23 The score when Louisiana-Monroe lost to Northwestern State in its 2005 season opener.
139 — Louisiana-Monroe gained 139 more yards rushing than Alcom State last week.
2006 — The first year Louisiana-Monroe has used the nickname, "Warhawks." Formerly the Indians, Louisiana-Monroe had to change its nickname to comply with NCAA mascot restrictions.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sophomore quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster
hawk quarterback Kerry Meier.
Lancaster has plenty in common with Jayce Karry Maker
Last week, Meier was 8-of-18 for 110 yards and rushed for 62 yards, while Lancaster was 8-of-17 for 100 yards and rushed for 67 yards in the Warhawks' victory. And while Meier left the Northwestern State game because Kansas had the game in hand, Lancaster was forced out of his game against Alcorn State because he lost a contact.
Lancaster will have to be the better dual-threat quarterback this week for Louisiana-Monroe to have a chance.
QUESTION MARKS
Turnovers — The Warhawks proved they were capable of forcing turnovers with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries last week. Sophomore Kinsmon Lancaster threw two interceptions and Louisiana-Monroe put the ball on the ground four times, losing two of the fumbles.
NATIONAL GAMES OF INTEREST
No. 1 Ohio State at No. 2 Texas,
Saturday 7 p.m. on ABC
Considered by some to be a national championship in September, the winner of this game will control its destiny as to playing in the actual national championship game in January. The loser can only hope to climb back into national championship contention by the end of the season.
Ohio State is coming off a 35-12 victory over Northern Illinois, where Helsman Trophy candidates senior quarterback Troy Smith and Junior wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. had impressive 2006 debuts. Smith completed 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns while Ginn caught four passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns Texas will be without its top cornerback, senior Tarell Brown, after he was arrested on misdemeanor drug and weapon charges Monday morning. Juniuc linebacker Tyrell Gatewood was also charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and will not play Saturday.
No.19 Penn State at No.4 Notre Dame Saturday 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Both teams won their season openers, but neither did so in impressive fashion. As a result, Notre Dame dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 and Penn State remained in the No. 19 spot. A loss for Notre Dame could spell an exit from the Top 10 for the Fighting Irish and a loss for Penn State could bounce the Nittany Lions from the Top 25 altogether.
Penn State held Akron to 225 total yards on offense last week, but managed only 282 yards of its own. Although junior quarterback Anthony Morell had three touchdowns, he completed just 50 percent of his passes and senior running back Tony Hunt averaged just 2.6 yards-per-carry.
Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinlan completed 23 of 38 passes for 246 yards last week, but his only touchdown came on the ground. Junior running back Darius Walker led the Fighting Irish to victory with 1,12 total yards and the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter.
Washington at No. 15 Oklahoma Saturday 2:30 p.m.on ABC
Washington had to fend off San Jose State in a 35-29 victory last week at home. The offense proved potent with 468 total yards and five touchdowns, but also careless with three turnovers. At the same time, the defense allowed 373 yards and failed to force a turnover. Junior running back Louis Rankin clinched the victory with his touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Washington and Oklahoma were rusty last week. This game will prove which team could actually contend in its respective conference.
Oklahoma was tied with UAB for most of the game last Saturday and even trailed momentarily. Like Washington, Oklahoma ultimately won thanks to its running back — junior Adrian Peterson. On top of 143 rushing yards, his 69-yard touchdown reception gave Oklahoma the lead on its way tu a 24-17 victory.
-
。