Here’s one fact to remember about KU’s 21-3 victory over Toledo last Saturday in the season opener — the Jayhawks had the entire offseason to prepare for the Golden Hurricane. KU didn’t have that luxury while preparing for tonight’s 6 p.m. game against Toledo at Memorial Stadium.
“We dabbled in Toledo and Northwestern a little, but our focus was on Tulsa,” linebacker Gabriel Toomey said. “We have to pick it up quick.”
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Linebacker shuffle: KU has been rotating four linebackers in three positions. Juniors Toomey, Nick Reid and Kevin Kane started the opener, while junior Banks Floodman — a returning starter who KU continues to list as a starter on its depth chart — came off the bench.
For fans having a hard time figuring out the rotation, here are the basics: Kane plays strictly middle linebacker. Toomey plays middle and weak side, while Reid and Floodman play both strong side and weak side.
“We feel really good about the entire linebacking crew,” defensive coordinator Bill Young said. “We really do. You can package those guys and play them in situations where you can play to their strong suits. We try to do that. It keeps them fresh.”
Playing outside — instead of strictly in the middle like last year — means Toomey will take less of a beating.
“There are a lot less blockers,” Toomey said of outside linebacker, the position he was originally recruited to play before being shifted to the middle last year, “and the blockers that are there are little receivers. It’s a little different than having a big lineman coming at you.”
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Offense impressed: KU’s fans found out last Saturday what the Jayhawks’ offensive players learned in preseason camp — the defense has improved.
“They’re a lot more aggressive,” receiver Brandon Rideau said. “They play with a lot more confidence. Usually the defense will come up and — you’re not supposed to tackle in practice — now they’ll give you sticks. They’re pretty aggressive in practice. … That’s the best I’ve seen our defense play in the three years I’ve been here.”
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On the line: KU coach Mark Mangino expects a better performance in week two from his offensive line, which has three new starters.
“As you know, I’m an old line coach myself, and I’m really big on that chemistry that takes place between those five guys,” said Mangino, who coached offensive linemen at Oklahoma. “I think a lot of good offensive line play depends on communication and recognition. Those guys, some of them haven’t played together, and they weren’t always on the same page, but there’s nothing like game experience.”
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It’s been a long time: KU hasn’t opened the season with back-to-back victories since 1997.
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Toledo connection: Toledo defensive coordinator Lou West was KU’s defensive backs coach under former coach Bob Valesente in 1986-87. … The only time KU played the Rockets was in 1991 when Toledo’s athletic director was Al Bohl, who later held the same post at Kansas.
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See you later: KU will play the Rockets in 2006 at Toledo and again in 2007 at home.
— Compiled by David Mitchell