If there was a broken-tackles-per-reception statistic, Kansas University sophomore Derek Fine might be among the Big 12 Conference’s best.
The tight end has just 12 catches this year, but the number of defenders who have rolled off him with one lowering of the shoulder pad has to at least exceed that number.
Fine has 143 yards receiving this season and a four-yard touchdown reception last month against Louisiana Tech.
In KU’s spread-out offense, Fine’s hands are being counted on – when he’s not asked to protect the quarterback.
So far, so good.
“Derek Fine has some fire in him, and that’s what I like about him,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “He wants to play well on every snap. If he makes a mistake, he is his own worst critic. He has a burning desire to compete and win.
“Because he has that, he is able to be a good blocker and a good route-runner. He does everything that is asked of him.”
It earned Fine offensive-player-of-the-week honors after he was a rare bright spot on offense in KU’s 19-3 loss to Oklahoma. But Fine doesn’t seem to take pride in individual accomplishments – those who spend most of their time blocking rarely do.
“I do the best I can to be there for the rest of my teammates,” Fine said. “Overall, my performance hasn’t been high enough because we’re not winning.”
¢ Young guns: Mangino mentioned to reporters Sunday the possibility of changes at the offensive-line position, but the starting five of Cesar Rodriguez, Bob Whitaker, David Ochoa, Travis Dambach and Matt Thompson may remain the same.
“We’re rotating some kids and trying to get them prepared,” Mangino said. “If not to start, than to see playing time.”
Mangino cited Ryan Cantrell, Adrian Mayes and Anthony Collins as younger players catching his eye this week in practice.
¢ It’s no Wyoming: KU will be well above sea level today in Boulder, Colo., but Mangino doesn’t anticipate any problems with the thin air. “It’s never been an issue with any team I have coached,” Mangino said. “Wyoming’s a little bit different, but it’s not been an issue at Boulder.”
¢ Buffs nicked up: Colorado is one of the few teams to openly discuss injuries, making KU’s game plan designed with a little less mystery.
Colorado will be without defensive end Alonzao Barrett (knee sprain) and cornerback Lorenzo Sims (knee strain) for today’s game. In addition, cornerback Terrence Wheatley is out for the season after wrist surgery, making the secondary a point of concern.
Terry Washington will start in Sims’ place. Sims hurt his knee last week against Texas.
“We have played him in every game, and he’s played a lot,” CU coach Gary Barnett said of Washington. “I think he is ready. It’s his first starting role, and that is why he came here.”
¢ Tremendous D: KU’s smashmouth defense, particularly against the run, has been well-documented. But it’s worth a closer look. Only one rushing touchdown has been scored on KU in the past 11 months – a five-yard run by Texas Tech quarterback Cody Hodges.
That means the last running back to score a touchdown on the Jayhawks was Cedric Benson, who scored on a 16-yard run for Texas in the second quarter on Nov. 13, 2004. Benson now is in the NFL.
KU ranks fourth in the nation against the run this season, allowing just 69.8 yards per game. Oddly enough, the team to rush for the most yards against Kansas this year was Appalachian State, the only Division I-AA team on the schedule. Kansas also is third nationally in tackles for a loss and leads the Big 12 Conference in red-zone defense.
¢ This, that: Sophomore punter Kyle Tucker is averaging 44.5 yards per punt this season. If he keeps it up, it’ll be the third-best average in school history. : Wide receiver Mark Simmons has 132 career receptions and needs only two to be KU’s all-time leader. : Former Shawnee Mission North quarterback Mack Brown is taking a red-shirt season for CU.