Friday, October 10, 2008
Kansas’ first kick return in its 11:30 a.m. home game against Colorado on Saturday might be the most important play of the day.
That’s because Jayhawk return man Marcus Herford, the 15th best kick returner in the nation last year, leads an attack that averages 13.2 yards per return, the worst in the country. On the other side is Colorado’s kickoff unit, which allows an average of 31.5 yards per return, the most in the country.
Kansas barely escaped Folsom Field in Boulder last year with a 19-14 victory over the Buffaloes. This Saturday's game in Lawrence will see the Jayhawks try to improve their weak kick return statistics.
Something’s got to give.
Whichever team overcomes its special teams weakness will win the field position battle.
From there, it’s up to the offenses to take control, and each one learned something drastically different about its running game last week.
Running back Jake Sharp spurred a furious second half comeback to lead No. 16 Kansas to a 35-33 victory over Iowa State last week. His performance effectively ended coach Mark Mangino’s search for a feature tailback.
“Jake is a very competitive guy,” Mangino said. “He didn’t like the way things were going in the run game and he wanted to do something about it. He not only got it done in the running game, but also in the passing game. He comes to play and he takes great pride in his performance.”
In Boulder, the rushing situation got a lot worse in the Buffaloes’ 38-14 home loss to No. 5 Texas.
Heralded freshman running back Darrell Scott has struggled through injuries this year, which have resulted in decreased rushing yards each week. On Saturday he injured his ankle in the third quarter, effectively ending his day with two carries for four yards.
His absence has put extra pressure on fellow freshman tailback Rodney Stewart and a banged up offensive line.
Coach Dan Hawkins’ front line has been dealt so many injuries that he’s toying around with the idea of playing freshman defensive tackle Eugene Goree at offensive guard on Saturday. Goree has no previous offensive experience.
“We’re just trying to get some help in there,” Hawkins said to Colorado reporters on Wednesday. “We’re trying to play the best people in there and trying to get some fortification going on. Right now we just have such a dire need over there.”
Goree, 6-foot-1 and 300 pounds, said he’s excited about the opportunity to take some snaps on the other side of the ball.
“I’m really interested in it,” Goree said. “It’s something new — a new challenge, and I like challenges.”
Kansas is used to a challenge when it plays Colorado. The Jayhawks won the last two matchups by a combined nine points.
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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