8B
GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
KU
KICKOFF
AT A GLANCE
Kansas continued to roll through an easy nonconference schedule last week and should not see much resistance from Toledo tomorrow. The Jayhawks' biggest challenge might not come from the Rockets but from the weight of the expectation that they will breeze through their final two nonconference matchups.
BY THE NUMBERS
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
(National Ranking: 2007 stats)
3:57 ppg:
scoring offense
20:225.5 ypg:
rushing offense
19:294ypg:
passing offense
3:3.5ppg:
scoring defense
12:41.5ypg:
rushing defense
23:143ypg:
passing defense
PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior defensive end John Larson: If Larson succeeds on Saturday, the Kansas defense will have solved its biggest problem: Toledo left tackle John Greco. Greco, a 325-pound NFL
prospect and two-time All-MAC first team selection, is the Rockets' best player and the only thing standing between Lar.
Larson
son and Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt. Larson has played extremely well this season, and a third consecutive effort would certainly give the Jayhawks a boost.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Kansas repeat last year's Toledo disaster? Kansas entered the Toledo game last season 2-0 with victories against cupcake opponents. Those circumstances are eerily similar to this weekend's scenario. Last year the young Kansas squad shot itself in the foot repeatedly. Could it happen again?
How many Jayhawks will finish with 100-plus rushing yards? Toledo's rushing defense is not impressive in the least. The Rockets have yielded more than 200 rushing yards in each of their first two games, a statistic that bodes well for the Jayhawks' dual-threat runners, senior Brandon McAnderson and sophomore Jake Sharp.
HAWKS, ROCKETS BLAST OFF
KU surges with big momentum against struggling Toledo team
KANSAS VS. TOLEDO 6 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Stadium
OFFENSE
The Kansas offense followed its stunning 52-point performance against Central Michigan with an equally impressive 62-point showing against Southeastern Louisiana. The offensive line has been dominant, the receivers have made plays, sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing has exceeded expectations and the backfield combo of senior Brandon McAnderson and sophomore Jake Sharp has proved effective. This week the Jayhawks will have the pleasure of facing the Rockets' sieve of a defense, which enters Saturday ranked No.102 in the nation in yards allowed per game.
DEFENSE
The Kansas defensive backfield did not receive much of a test from Southeastern Louisiana last week because the defensive front applied consistent pressure to the opposing quarterback. Senior defensive tackle is the most important cog in the efficient machine that is the Kansas defense. McClinton has seven tackles and one sack in two games, but those statistics do not do his performance justice. Against Southeastern Louisiana, McClinton disrupted the Lions' offense on almost every snap. Throw in a solid group of linebackers and junior cornerback Agib Talib and the Kansas defense is downright scary.
SPECIALTEAMS
In reality, Kansas's special teams units probably deserve six stars for their performances in the first two games. Sophomore wide receiver Raimond Pendleton could become more famous for his punt returns than his ill-fated touchdown celebration if he keeps picking up 19 yards per return. Junior wide receiver Marcus Herford earned co-Big 12 Special Teams player of the week honors for his efforts returning kicks last week. Senior kicker Scott Webb hasn't missed a field goal or extra point attempt this season.
MOMENTUM
Kansas has outscored its opponents 114-7 so far this season and gained 1039 yards to the opposition's 339. In the process, the Jayhawks have set multiple school records on both sides of the ball. The team definitely has its fair share of momentum. But how much will any of this mean when the Rockets, who defeated the Jayhawks last season, visit Lawrence on Saturday night? The Jayhawks will have to be careful not to let the memories of 2006 undo what they have already accomplished in 2007
COACHING
Mark Mangino didn't make any game-altering fourth-down play calls on Saturday - he didn't have to. With offensive coordinator Ed Warinner's new scheme, the Jayhawks accounted for more than 500 yards for the second consecutive week. Defensive coordinator Bill Young once again stymied the opposing running game, this time holding Southeastern Louisiana to -31 yards on the ground. The entire Kansas coaching staff has succeeded on all levels this season.
0-2
Toledo
OFFENSE
Asher Fusco
After struggling in week one, sophomore quarterback Aaron Opelt settled down against Central Michigan last week. Opelt threw for two touchdowns and 334 yards while completing 61 percent of his passes. He is surrounded by enough potential threats to be dangerous himself. Senior tight end Chris Hopkins is a huge target but capable of running every route in the playbook. Senior running back Jalen Parmele averages 4.9 yards per carry during his career but has endured a slow start to 2007. That could change against Kansas because Parmele is running behind All-American candidate left tackle John Greco.
DEFENSE
The Rockets biggest concern is the way their defense has performed thus far. Returning eight starters from a unit that got progressively better last year, Toledo thought it had a good defense this year. But through two games, the Rockets defense has looked anything but experienced. They are one of only two teams in the nation that is yet to record a sack. Toledo is also 117th in the nation with only one and a half tackles for loss. Injuries to key players partially have caused the brutal beginning. Three preseason all Mid-American Conference selections missed Toledo's last game. It has not been announced whether they will play against Kansas. Without them, the Toledo defense relies too much on senior linebacker Greg Hay.
SPECIAL TEAMS
If the Rockets have one outstanding player, it's Brett Kern. The senior punter is second in the nation with 50.1 yards per punt. Kern also serves as the holder for sophomore kicker Alex Steigerwald. Steigerwald looks to be solid as he has made all of his field goals and PATs this season. Kickoff returners Greg Harris and Stephen Williams possess the skills necessary for the position but have yet to make a big impact. Their combined season-long return is only 31 yards.
MOMENTUM
Although starting out 0-2 doesn't yield much momentum, the Rockets will have confidence heading into a game against the Jayhawks. Toledo has no reason to believe it can't play with Kansas after a 37-31 victory last year. The Rockets are eager to fix their defense and running game before entering the heart of their conference schedule. If quarterback Aaron Opelt continues to find his open receivers well, the Rockets could get a boost early. But if he doesn't, the whole team could get frustrated at the prospects of losing its third-straight game.
COACHING
Coach Tom Amstutz is the face of Toledo football. Amstutz has stuck with the football program for the past 30 years. He grew up a fan before playing at Toledo in his college years. Then, he accepted a position as a graduate assistant and worked his way up the ranks until 2001 when he accepted the head coaching job. During his first six seasons, Amstutz has had unparalleled success at Toledo. He's won two MAC championships, appeared in four bowl games and produced six current NFL players. If anyone can reverse the Rockets' fortunes this year, it's Amstutz.
Case Keefer
TOLEDO KICKOFF
AT A GLANCE
(National Ranking: 2007 stats)
Toledo hasn't stopped either of its first two opponents. Central Michigan and Purdue each scored 52 points on the Rockets. Its defense is giving up 475 yards per game and may have its hands full with a seemingly perfect Kansas offense. Toledo's trip to Lawrence begins a two-game stretch against Big 12 opponents.
BY THE NUMBERS
117:52 ppg:
scoring defense
73:136.5 ypg:
rushing offense
30:267.5 ypg:
passing offense
107:231 ypg:
rushing defense
83:244 ypg:
passing defense
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior left tackle John Greco: It's hard to force your eyes to not follow the football every play when watching a
Greco
game, but Greco should make it easier. He is one of the nation's best offensive linemen and will be playing in the NFL
at this time next year. Greco will battle with a Kansas defensive line that was impressive last weekend.
QUESTION MARKS
Defensive end Sean Williamson, free safety Tyrell Herbert and cornerback Nigel Morris are three team leaders who missed last week's game. Will they play, and how productive will they be coming off injuries?
It's one thing if a defensive line has deficiencies either against the run or providing a pass rush, but the Rockets were dreadful at both in the first two weeks. What did Toledo work on in practice this week to ensure the front four play better?
BIG 12 SCHEDULE
Friday
Game Time T.V.
Oklahoma State at Troy 7 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday
Game Time T.V.
Iowa at Iowa State 12:30 p.m. Versus
Western Michigan at Missouri 1 p.m. NA
Texas Tech at Rice 2:30 p.m. FSNSW
Louisiana-Monroe at Texas A&M 6 p.m. NA
Missouri State at Kansas State 6 p.m. NA
Texas State at Baylor 6 p.m. NA
Florida State at Colorado 9 p.m. ESPN
TOP25
Thursday
Saturday
Game Time T.V.
The Citadel at No. 7 Wisconsin 11 a.m. BTN*
Western Carolina at No. 23 Georgia Noon NA
No. 22 Tennessee at No. 5 Florida 2:30 p.m. CBS
No. 10 Ohio State at Washington 2:30 p.m. ESPN
No. 6 Texas at Central Florida 2:30 p.m. ESPN2
Norfolk State at No. 13 Rutgers 2:30 NA
Utah State at No. 3 Oklahoma 2:30 p.m. PPV
No. 11 UCLA at Utah 4 p.m. Versus
Louisiana Tech at No. 8 California 5:30 p.m. CSNW
No. 16 Arkansas at Alabama 5:45 p.m. ESPN
No. 9 Louisville at Kentucky 6:30 p.m. ESPN Classic
No. 1 USC at No. 14 Nebraska 7 p.m. ABC
No. 21 Boston College at No. 15 Ga. Tech 7 p.m. ESPN2
Middle Tenessee at No. 2 LSU 7 p.m. NA
Thursday Game
No. 4 West Virginia 31, Maryland 14
Big 10 Network not available on Sunflower Cable
TELEVISED GAMES
Thursday
Game Texas Southern 7, Jackson State 28 TCU 17, Air Force 20
Game Time T.V.
Pittsburgh at Michigan State 11 a.m. ESPN
Central Michigan at Purdue 11 a.m. ESPN2
Illinois at Syracuse 11 a.m. ESPNU
Akron at Indiana 11 a.m. BTN
Buffalo at Penn State 11 a.m. BTN
Temple at Connecticut 11 a.m. NA
Notre Dame at Michigan 2:30 p.m. ABC
Florida International at Miami 2:30 p.m. ESPNU
Duke at Northwestern 7 p.m. BTN
BYU at Tulsa 8 p.m. CSTV
Saturday
Big 10 Network not available on Sunflower Cable
---