KU heeds need for speed

By David Mitchell     Oct 25, 2003

Journal-World File Photo
KU's Brandon Perkins sacks Jacksonville State quarterback Anthony Mayo. Perkins leads the Jayhawks with five sacks and two forced fumbles.

Brandon Perkins isn’t Kansas University’s biggest defensive player. In fact, he’s downright small for a guy on the line of scrimmage.

“I’m a lot faster than some of the tackles,” said Perkins, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound sophomore. “I get a better jump off the ball. You watch the snap count and the ball, just try to beat them and get back there as quick as possible.”

Technically, Perkins is a backup linebacker, but Kansas put him on the line as a rush end last Saturday in a 28-21 victory against Baylor. The Houston native responded with two tackles for loss — including a sack — and a forced fumble.

“There are things that he is really good at,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “Our defense only uses the things he is good at a small percentage of the time. We have decided to expand some things to get Brandon Perkins out on the field.

“He plays hard and gets to the football and makes plays. We will use him more … and try to play with his strengths. He is not a big guy, but he is powerful. He is a compact guy who has a lot of strength to him. His strongest suit is speed and pursuit. We want to put him in a situation where he can use his speed to pursue.”

Journal-World File Photo
KU's Brandon Perkins sacks Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet, forcing a fumble. Kansas defensive end David McMillan picked up the loose ball and scored a touchdown on the play Sept. 13 at Laramie, Wyo.

KU didn’t have any sacks in its first two games, but has 18 in the last five. Perkins leads the team with five sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s second with six tackles for loss.

Not bad for a guy who mainly played in the Jayhawks’ nickel package before last week.

“They like the way I went after the quarterback,” he said of KU’s coaches. “They came up with a new scheme to put pressure on the quarterback. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help the ballclub; we all are. I just roll with the punches. If I’m needed and they put me on the field, I do the best I can.

“It worked all right, and I think it will be good for us. I did it a little bit in high school, so I’m familiar with it.”

Getting to the quarterback will be critical for KU (5-2 overall, 2-1 Big 12) today at Kansas State (5-3, 1-2). KSU senior Ell Roberson ranks sixth in the Big 12 in passing and 11th in rushing. He ranks fourth in the league and 20th in the nation in total offense with an average of 268.8 yards per game.

KU’s defense had success earlier this year against another multitalented quarterback, limiting Missouri’s Brad Smith to 95 total yards. The Mizzou sophomore averages 232 yards a game, ranking sixth in the conference and 37th in the nation.

“They’re both good athletes,” Perkins said. “They use their feet better than some, but they’re two different people. You can’t really prepare for them the same way. They have different styles.”

KU has 18 sacks — all in the last five games — led by sophomore Brandon Perkins with five:

Brandon Perkins 5
Monroe Weekley 3
Reggie Curry 2
David McMillan 2
Kenneth Thompson 2
Tim Allen 1
Nick Reid 1
Banks Floodman 1
John McCoy 1

Roberson also has one of the best running backs in the league in junior Darren Sproles. Kansas State also could have a mental edge. The Wildcats have won 10 straight games in the series and haven’t lost to their in-state rival at home since 1989.

“We don’t worry about the past,” Perkins said. “I’ve only been here two years. I’m not into the rival thing. We’re just two good teams that are going to go compete Saturday and try to win the game. We approach every game the same.”

Perkins wasn’t able to make a difference in KU’s 64-0 loss to Kansas State last year as a true freshman. He played on special-teams but didn’t see much time at linebacker.

“I was just a freshman, so I didn’t do too much,” he said. “This year, I hope to be a big part of it.”

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