KU vs. SHSU: Breaking it down

By Dugan Arnett     Sep 20, 2008

When Kansas has the ball

Kansas rush offense vs. Sam Houston State rush defense

Based on the Jayhawks’ inability to run the football in the team’s first three games this season, it’s hard to give them an edge against any defense in this area. But if there’s a game to get it jumped started, it figures to be today, when they’ll be facing a Division I-AA opponent at home. Most likely, Kansas will be looking to establish some kind of consistency in the run during its final game before the start of conference play, and it’ll have the opportunity to do that today.

Up to this point, junior transfer Jocques Crawford has been irrelevant, while the team’s top rusher – junior Angus Quigley – hasn’t been given many opportunities. That could change today.

Edge: Kansas

Kansas pass offense vs. Sam Houston State pass defense

When your ground game isn’t working, your passing game better be, and the Jayhawks’ certainly has been up to this point. Quarterback Todd Reesing leads the nation in completions with 103 and has thrown for more than 250 yards in every game this season.

Two Bearkats recorded interceptions in their first and only game of the season – also forcing four turnovers on fumbles – but they also allowed 296 passing yards. Reesing has thrown just two interceptions this season, one coming on a fourth-quarter heave late in the team’s loss to South Florida, and has had no problem moving the ball against much more prominent defenses than Sam Houston State’s.

Edge: Kansas

When Sam Houston State has the ball

Sam Houston State rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense

In one game this year, the Bearkats rushed for nearly as many yards (261) as Kansas has in three (315). Running back James Aston enters today’s game with an eye-popping 14.4 yards per carry average (he rushed eight times for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s opener), and Chris Hardy added 69 yards and two touchdowns.

Those stats will hold little weight when taking on a team like Kansas, however, and the Bearkats’ rushing attack shouldn’t expect similar numbers against a Jayhawk defensive front that has given up two rushing touchdowns all season – both coming against then-19th-ranked South Florida.

Edge: Kansas

Sam Houston State pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense

Former Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar leads the Bearkats’ charge, and he put together an impressive stat line in just one half of work in the team’s season-opening victory over East Central University, a Div. II team from Oklahoma. He threw for 198 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-22 passing as Sam Houston State scored the game’s first 52 points.

He’ll be in for a much more difficult challenge today. Despite allowing 338 yards to USF’s Matt Grothe last week, Kansas’ secondary has been stout this season. Before last Friday, the Jayhawks had allowed just 192 total pass yards in two games, recording three interceptions and not allowing a touchdown through the air.

Edge: Kansas

Special teams

With the possible exception of a kick/punt-return game that has been a bit sub-par in the team’s past two games, special-teams play hasn’t been much of a concern for Kansas this season. Punter Alonso Rojas has been solid, and true freshman Daymond Patterson already has returned a punt for a touchdown. Since being declared eligible before the Louisiana Tech game, kicker Jacob Branstetter is a perfect 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts.

Sam Houston State kicker Taylor Wilkins was a second-team all-Southland Conference player a year ago and so far this season is 1-for-1 on field goals, with a career-long 45-yard kick. Special teams should not, however, figure prominently into the outcome of today’s game.

Edge: Kansas

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