Although Kansas University’s football team won’t face them for another week, the Texas Tech Red Raiders already have the Jayhawks’ attention.
Speaking with reporters after one of three bye-week practices earlier this week, safety Keeston Terry cut in and finished the question when one reporter started to ask about Tech’s offense.
“Forty-for-44, I know,” said Terry, referring to Texas Tech QB Seth Doege’s NCAA record for pass efficiency which he set in a 59-13 victory against New Mexico on Sept. 17. “Playing Texas Tech, they’re gonna throw the ball around, and you gotta defend that. But 40-for-44, that’s very impressive against anybody.”
Doege set a school record by completing his first 15 passes and went on to finish with a 90.9 completion percentage, the highest in NCAA history for a QB with at least 40 completions.
Doege, a junior, enters this weekend’s game against Nevada third in the Big 12 in total offense. His 364 yards-per-game average puts him second behind Oklahoma State senior Brandon Weeden (385), and his 195.4 passer rating ranks third behind two Baylor Bears, Kendall Wright, a receiver who has completed his only two passes of the season, and Robert Griffin III, who sits at 244.5. KU’s Jordan Webb is one spot behind Doege with a rating of 181.5.
Doege’s numbers most certainly will change at 7 tonight, but his overall mystique likely will not. For his career, which included a handful of starts under former Tech coach and offensive guru Mike Leach in 2009, Doege has completed 104 of 142 passes (73 percent) for 1,154 yards and 10 TDs.
With Doege already in their sights, some of the Jayhawks said they’d probably try to watch tonight’s game against Nevada together.
“I’m a big fan of college football, and, when I’m not playing, I like to watch it,” Terry said. “To see things like (Doege’s record) is pretty cool.”
Added KU coach Turner Gill, asked if he thought his players would watch the Red Raiders live: “That’s up to them. I’m sure some of them might get together and watch it, but this is their time. They can do whatever they want with it, and then Sunday we’ll get back to work.”
Terry’s ready.
“Actually, I hope we get the cut-ups this weekend so we can start looking at some film on them,” the Blue Springs, Mo., red-shirt freshman said. “That loss (to Georgia Tech) has stuck with me, and I’m ready to move past it.”
Jayhawks healing
On Wednesday, Gill said he felt several injured players on the Jayhawks’ roster were starting to recover and would be available for the Oct. 1 match-up with Texas Tech.
Senior wide receiver Daymond Patterson (groin) was ruled out for the rest of the season earlier this week, but beyond that, the rest of the Jayhawks on the mend had made good progress during the bye week, most notably senior defensive tackle Patrick Dorsey and freshman wide receiver JaCorey Shepherd.
Also on the list of Jayhawks battling minor injuries are: linebacker Tunde Bakare, center Jeremiah Hatch and cornerback Tyler Patmon. All are expected to be ready for Texas Tech.
