Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sophomore quarterback Kale Pick speaks to members of the media after practice last week. Pick is the starting quarterback going into the 2010 season.
Glass half full: the Jayhawks started last season 5-0.
Glass half empty: the Jayhawks ended last season on an 0-7 freefall.
Going into its first game, the team is split between the two perceptions. Talking to coach Turner Gill and players with limited roles last season, the team has forgotten the disastrous 2009-10 season.
“Since we’ve been involved, that’s not even been an issue,” Gill said. “We’re in 2010 and we’re moving forward.”
But there’s a group of players who are still affected by the lingering memory. Senior wide receiver Johnathan Wilson said the guys who didn’t play last year couldn’t understand how he and the others feel.
“It’s not something I’m dwelling on everyday,” he said, “but it’s definitely in the back of my mind.”
Senior cornerback Chris Harris has that same mentality. Sure, there is a whole new atmosphere with the team this year, he said, but the players still have their pride.
Most of the blame is put on the inner turmoil the coaching staff faced last season. Still, the Jayhawks finished the season with terrible momentum after having a legitimate shot at a bowl appearance.
“We need a win,” Harris said. “Bad.”
But the new leader of the team, sophomore quarterback Kale Pick, appears to have the same mindset as his coach. There’s a new staff and a new system. There are plenty of fresh faces in the starting lineup and Pick is sure that combination has put the past behind.
“I’d say we’re over it and ready to go out there and prove people wrong,” he said.
Pick played sparingly in a 2009-10 season that included a fourth quarter benching of Todd Reesing. On the season he had five passing attempts in seven games of action.
Of all the ups and downs last season, senior lineman Brad Thorson said he and the captains are making sure this season is fun and maybe 2010-11 can hold fond memories.
“We’re going to make sure this season is more memorable than last season for the right reasons,” Thorson said.
When the Jayhawks host North Dakota State in their home opener, their record will read “0-0.” But that 5-7 record, especially the way it happened, has to be remembered before it can be forgotten.
Wilson said he wants that reminder in the first game for motivation.
“I wish they could put it on the board somewhere so we can see it before we go out on the field,” he said.
— Edited by David Cawthon
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