Whether they are motivated by excitement or frustration, the returning starters on the Kansas football team are starving to end their program’s winless streak.

“We haven’t had a win in a long time,” said senior wide receiver Johnathan Wilson. “I think the rest of the team and I are excited to be back on the field and get another victory.”

For Wilson and his fellow seniors, the drought must end this Saturday against North Dakota State if this season is to have any purpose other than rebuilding.

The Jayhawks take the field at Memorial Stadium at 6:10 p.m. against the Bison, looking to start the year like they did last year, but focused on making sure it does not end like the same way. The Jayhawks lost their final seven games after winning their first five, finishing 1-6 in Big XII play and bowl ineligible.

Senior offensive lineman Brad Thorson is one returner on a seasoned, yet unproven, offensive line looking to open holes for sixth-year senior running back Angus Quigley and protect its new starting quarterback, sophomore Kale Pick. Thorson feels comfortable with the decision coach Turner Gill and his staff made on the battles for various positions.

“I feel really good about the guys starting right now,” Thorson said. “I think coach Gill is concerned about developing depth and what is going to be our greatest chance to win. I think the other great thing about position changes or guys coming into new roles is that everyone has been mature about it.”

On the surface, the Mountain Valley Conference’s Bison seem like an ideal opponent for Gill, Pick and the other unproven assets to make their debuts against. However, Jayhawk football coaches are only 2-6 in their debuts since 1971. Defensive coordinator Carl Torbush said nobody on the coaching staff is taking North Dakota State lightly.

“We’re going to have our hands full the first week, Torbush said. “I’ve been very, very impressed with North Dakota State on video. They run the ball extremely well. They’re very, very patient and understand what they want to do.”

One of the keys to the Bison offense is their tight end tandem of senior Landon Smith and junior Matt Veldman, who stands just over 6 feet, 6 inches.

“Both of them catch the ball extremely well,” Torbush said. “They remind us of our tight ends in a way, only taller.”

Adjusting to Gill’s system and his coaching staff has been tough at times for the seniors who spent at least three years under former coach Mark Mangino’s system. But without a single member from the previous coaching staff, they must quickly adjust to the more offensive mindset.

“In a sense it’s going to feel different since we are not going to have the old coaching staff with us,” Wilson said. “However, at the end of the day it is still football and I believe it is going to be the same.”

— Edited by Alex Tretbar