Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Jayhawks’ week one performance featured a plethora of highlight-reel plays that coaxed “oohs” and “aahs” from the record crowd. However, there were also a few holes in Kansas’ game that will have to be shored up by Saturday with upset-minded Louisiana Tech coming to Memorial Stadium.
The Jayhawks’ top two running backs, juniors Jake Sharp and Jocques Crawford, combined to rush for just more than 60 yards. Kansas overcame that with 52 attempted passes from junior quarterback Todd Reesing.
That strategy may not work this weekend, because the Bulldog secondary is more talented than that of the Golden Panthers.
“Their kids get where they need to be, you rarely find them out of position,” coach Mark Mangino said. “They have corners who are good players, which allows them to do more things inside with the safeties and linebackers.”
Mangino said the Bulldogs played the kind of fundamental football that every coach admired.
Last week, the Louisiana Tech defense was stellar, leading them to an upset victory against Mississippi State with three sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
“Mississippi State is a good-looking squad and I’m surprised that they lost,” Mangino said. “I knew they’d be in for a tough time down in Ruston (La.). I was really impressed that La. Tech came away with the victory.”
Sophomore defensive tackle Jamal Greene said he wasn’t surprised to see that the Bulldogs won.
“It’s college football — you never know who’s going to win,” Greene said. “No. 1 could lose to No. 119, so that’s why you play on Saturdays.”
Louisiana Tech’s 22-14 victory was a typical week one game, with sloppy play on both sides. The teams combined for seven turnovers and Bulldog quarterback Taylor Bennett completed only 14-of-40 pass attempts with one interception.
A transfer from Georgia Tech, Bennett is a southpaw, which has KU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen licking his chops.
“Coach Bowen’s got some schemes that he said he likes playing against left-handed quarterbacks, so we’re going to figure out some stuff we can throw at him,” senior linebacker Joe Mortensen said.
Bennett had one touchdown pass in the game, a six-yard strike in the second quarter to running back Patrick Jackson. Jackson caught three passes for 17 yards and also carried the ball 17 times for 62 yards and another touchdown.
“He’s a really good football player,” Mangino said. “He’s a guy who’s got good vision inside and kind of picks his way (through the line). He has enough of a burst that he can create big plays for them.”
Mangino also mentioned wide receiver Phillip Livas and safety Antonio Baker as players the Jayhawks would have to watch.
Livas caught six passes for 85 yards and returned three kicks for an average of 22 yards, while Baker led the defense with 10 tackles and one interception. On special teams, Bulldog kicker Brad Oestriecher earned WAC special teams player of the week honors for converting on all three of his field goal attempts. Oestriecher connected from 48, 28 and 50 yards.
Kansas has taken some heat for its nonconference schedule the past couple of years. Last week the Bulldogs proved they wouldn’t be a cupcake for the Jayhawks to devour.
“Louisiana Tech has had a tradition of putting good football teams on the field,” Mangino said. “When we scheduled this game I knew that it would not be an easy game. It’ll take our best effort to win the game, and that’s what I expect from our players.”
— - Edited by Brenna Hawley
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