KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 / SPORTS
5B
MEXICO STATE 16
BALL REWIND
on.and will travel to Waco, Texas to take on Baylor on Saturday.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
Ben Pirotte/KANSAN
Above, freshman quarterback Jordan Webb blocks a New Mexico State defender Saturday, Sept. 25. Webb had a record breaking game throwing for a season-high 249 yards and one touchdown completing 11 of his 17 attempts. Left, junior wide receiver Daymond Patterson avoids a tackle during the third quarter. Patterson recorded six receptions for 40 yards in the 42-16 victory over New Mexico State Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Ben Pirotte/KANSAM
Quote of the Game
"It's an awesome feeling. Obviously, I won't be very sore tomorrow. The O-line just played great, communication was really good, our tempo was good and overall it was just an execution thing."
—Jordan Webb, on not being sacked for the first time this season
Webb
3. Senior wide receiver Johnathan Wilson: If the Jayhawks are to open up their vertical passing game, they will need to do so through Wilson. Wilson had a 35 yard reception after a long touchdown catch last week against Southern Miss. It looks as if Webb is more comfortable with some of the younger receivers, but Wilson is still the receiving corps' biggest down-field threat.
2. Freshman running back James Sims: With his 16 carry, 115 yard performance, Sims became the first freshman running back to gain more than 100 yards on two separate occasions since 2002. Not bad for a guy who was carrying the load for MacArthur High School at this time last year.
1. Sophomore wide receiver/running back D.J. Beshears: Call him a running back, a wide receiver, or a kick returner, but one thing is for sure: offensive coordinator will be calling his number much more for the rest of this season. Beshears had three touchdowns, two on rushes and one on a kickoff return. The speedy sophomore looks rejuvenated on offense and should remind Kansas City Chiefs fans of a more unpolished version of Dexter McCluster.
Delay of Games
3. Freshman running back Deshaun Sands: Sands struggled Saturday, gaining only 38 yards on 11 carries (3.4 average). Coach Turner Gill showed a lot of faith in the second-generation Jayhawk by making him the backup over sixth-year senior captain Angus Quigley.
2. Senior defensive end Jake Laptad: You have to feel for the team captain Laptad who has been double teamed all season. However, he only recorded three total tackles, one solo, in Saturday's win. He is drawing a lot of attention from opposing defenses but he must be more disruptive going forward.
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.
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 Beshears got the ball in his hands. But the former defensive backup made magic happen, scoring on a 96-yard kickoff return 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 ...
Two sophomores and one freshman looked like offensive veterans. Sure, the transition to a run-first offense had its bumps in the road, but it looks to be running on all cylinders as the team enters Big 12 play. Wilson was right when he compared Beshears to Reggie Bush in his post-game interviews.
THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY ...
BIGGEST ANSWER
It was New Mexico State, one of the worst teams in college football. The Aggies have allowed at least 40 points in every game this season and Saturday was no different. About the only good unit the Aggies have is their offensive line, and when the Kansas defense tried to bring pressure, they could not break them.
With 12 sacks allowed through three games, all eyes were on the offensive line against an admittedly poor New Mexico State defense. And thankfully for Webb, they answered all questions about their cohesiveness. Webb remained upright all game and the Kansas offense broke the 500-yard mark. It will not mean much when Big 12 play begins, but it was a step in the right direction for a seasoned but unproven line.
STILL QUESTIONING
How does Quigley fit into this offense? In his one touch on the evening, the elder statesman took a screen pass 43 yards in the longest reception for either team. Quigley stood on the sidelines for most of the remainder of the game. Gill clearly wants young blood in the backfield, and rightfully so, but Quigley has earned more touches.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Jayhawks open Big 12 play on Saturday on the road against the Baylor Bears. The Bears have perhaps the best quarterback in the league in sophomore Robert Griffin, who simmered Rice on Saturday on 20-for-28 passing with 268 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-13 rout. If senior defensive end Jake Laptad and his front line teammates continue struggling to get pressure, it could be a long day for the Jayhawks.
GOOD, BAD OR JUST PLAIN STUPID
Original prediction: Kansas 45, New Mexico State 10. Final score: Kansas 42, New Mexico State 16. Other than a few garbage-time field goals, our original prediction was spot on. Finally, the unpredictable Jayhawks actually conformed to expectations and hammered their much less talented foe.
FINAL THOUGHT...
sure, New Mexico State is a BCS bottom-feeder, but it feels good to dominate an opponent for the first time this season. The offense seems to be clicking behind their dynamic, speedy running backs, but there are still plenty of questions going into Big 12 play. The defensive line has got to start pressuring the quarterback. The special teams need to start carrying their weight, especially on kick and punt coverage. This team is still a work in progress, but against the Aggies, the Jayhawks got a pick-me-up at just the right time.
- Matt Galloway
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 7 p.m.
09/25 vs. New Mexico State 6 p.m.
10/02 at Baylor TBA
10/14 vs. Kansas State 6:30 p.m.
10/23 vs. Texas A&M (Homecoming) TBA
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 TBA