KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 / SPORTS
5B
59, KANSAS 7
BALLREWIND
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
Kansas defense in-route to scoring the first touchdown of the day. The Wildcats dominated the game, winning 59-7. Kansas gave up 50-plus points in back to back games for the first Big 12 Conference play.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
tackle from Kansas State defensive back Terrance Sweeney. Patterson had five catches for 40 yards in the Jayhawks 59-7 loss to Kansas State Thursday night at Memorial Stadium.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
Kansas State quarterback Carson Coffman celebrates with Zach Kendall and Braden Wilson after scoring a touchdown Thursday. The Wildcats defeated the Jayhawks 59-7.
Game Balls
3. Offensive line: Yes, Jordan Webb was sacked three times. Regardless, the offensive line gave their quarterback plenty of time to make plays all game. The K-State sacks were more credited to the Wildcat secondary who covered the KU receivers like a blanket all night. The already thin unit will need the veteran Capra to return soon to sustain any kind of success moving forward.
2. Running backs: Senior running back Angus Quigley returned to the Kansas backfield to rack up 70 yards on the ground. He also added the team's lone touchdown of the evening. Fellow backs James Sims and Deshaun Sands also not touches, but only combined for 35 yards on 12 carries.
1. Kansas kickoff coverage squad: The special teams group looked lost once again, allowing four kickoff returns of 40 yards or more. New Mexico State kick returner Tanner Rust set a school record with 250 total return yards. The Jayhawks' defense looked impressive but surrendered 16 points because of the short fields the Aqgies had to work with.
Delays of Game
5. Kale Pick: Injured against New Mexico St. in Week 4, the backup quarterback only practiced twice leading up to the K-State matchup. Gill stated it wasn't enough preparation to see the field Thursday night. Gill said he wouldn't replace Webb with Pick as the starter, but didn't rule out the idea of finding minutes for the sophomore quarterback as the season continues
4. Sal Capra: The senior offensive lineman suffered a leg injury early in the second half. He was carted off the field before returning to watch the rest of the game from the sideline. Gill said it appeared to be an ankle injury and it will be evaluated this week.
3. turnovers: The team that makes the fewest mistakes normally wins the game. When playing with a talent disadvantage, mistakes are magnified even more. Two lost fumbles and a redzone interception killed any offensive momentum throughout the game. James Sims' fumble in the 3rd quarter from the KSU 15 yard line was returned 85 yards for a Stephen Harrison touchdown, pushing the KU deficit to 5-0.
2. Jordan Webb: Webb started his year with five touchdown passes and only 1 interception through his first three games, during which the team posted a 2-1 record. The last two weeks Webb has thrown three picks while only finding the endzone once. Not wanting a quarterback controversy, head coach Turner Gill assured fans Thursday night that Webb will remain his starting quarterback.
1. Red-zone defense: The Wildcats made their way into the red zone five times on Thursday night, and 5 times they scored, including three rushing touchdowns by quarterback Carson Coffman. Running back Daniel Thomas also added a 9-yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter.
Play of the Game
The Aggies had their way with the Kansas defense on their second possession early in the second quarter, tying the game 7-7. It seemed like the game was headed for a shootout before Beshiews got the ball in his hands. But the former defensive backup made magic happen, scoring on a 96-yard kickoff and putting the Jayhawks back up seven. It was excellent blocking and great vision in a rare flash of brilliance from the Jayhawks' special teams unit.
Game Notes
THE GLASS IS HALF FULL ...
As he mentioned in his opening press conference, Gill is a non-stop recruiter. Losing by 52 to your in-state rival could potentially hurt the staff's recruiting standpoint and be able to help our football team. There's a good opportunity for them to come in here and get some things done.
THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY ...
The defense has given up 114 point points in its first 2 conference games against Baylor and Kansas State. With ranked opponents Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Missouri still on the slate, the defense will be facing higher-octane offenses as the conference schedule rolls on.
BIGGEST ANSWER
Sophomore M. Bieshews had another great game returning kicks. He led the team with 110 all-purpose yards on 5 returns including a 33-yard kickoff return.
Will KU win another game this season? With three ranked teams left on the schedule and a road trip to Ames, Iowa, the home game against Colorado seems like their best chance for a win.
STILL QUESTIONING
LOOKING AHEAD
KU welcomes Texas A&M to Lawrence Saturday for homecoming. The Aggies (3-3) are also winless in the Big-12 and are coming off a 30-9 home loss to Missouri.
GOOD, BAD OR JUST PLAIN STUPID
Original prediction: KU 24, KSU 21. Rivalry games are supposed to be close, right? Bill Snyder welcomed coach Gill into the Big 12 with KU's biggest Sunflower Showdown loss since 2002.
A LOSS IS A LOSS. BUT...
Losing to two average teams by a combined 114-14 could destroy any confidence this football team had. The defense hasn't shown up the last two games. The offense has been hiding as well. Gill said the staff might incorporate more plays into the running game to take some pressure on quarterback Jordan Webb.
FINAL THOUGHT ...
Fans hoping for many bright spots should continue to be patient. Even the coaching staff doesn't know how long the turnaround will take. If the underclassmen continue (start?) to get better, there are a few bright spots to look forward to next year.
Kory Carpenter
Schedule
Date Opponent Result/Time
9/4 vs. North Dakota State L, 6-3
9/11 vs. Georgia Tech W, 28-6
09/17 at Southern Miss L, 31-16
09/25 vs. New Mexico State W, 42-16
10/02 at Baylor L, 55-7
10/14 vs. Kansas State L, 59-7
10/23 vs. Texas A&M (Homecoming) 6 p.m.
10/30 at Iowa State TBA
11/06 vs. Colorado TBA
11/13 at Nebraska TBA
11/20 vs. Oklahoma State TBA
11/27 vs. Missouri 1:30 p.m.