Tom Keegan: KU Air Raid offense needs better ground attack

By Tom Keegan     Aug 4, 2016

Mike Yoder
Kansas University football center Joe Gibson works out with the team Friday, July 15, at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Mere mention of Big 12 football triggers images of footballs in the air, fields flooded with wide receivers, pass-happy offenses running up scores. Throw in the words “Air Raid Offense” and the images inflate.

Even so, the Kansas offense will need a far better running game to become more competitive than 2015, when the Jayhawks were outscored by an average margin of 48-12 in conference play.

Naturally, the problems started up front. KU played with a ridiculously inexperienced offensive line, at times starting a pair of true freshmen at tackle.

In three nonconference games, KU rushed for seven touchdowns and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. In nine conference games, the Jayhawks rushed for three touchdowns and an average of 2.6 yards per carry. Repeat: Three rushing touchdowns in nine weeks.

Ideally, blockers in their fourth and fifth years at a program load a college football team’s two-deep depth chart at the five O-line spots.

Fourth-year junior center Joe Gibson and fifth-year left tackle Jordan Shelley-Smith are the only players of the 10 projected names on the two-deep with more than three years at KU. Right guard Jacob Bragg, a third-year sophomore, is the only other blocker with more than two years in the program. The other seven are in their second year, including three players with junior-college experience.

Even so young, the outlook is better than a year ago.

“Everyone’s a lot bigger, a lot stronger, quicker feet,” Gibson said. “(D’Andre) Banks’ body looks a lot better. His confidence is much better this year, so I’m excited to see how it goes. Clyde (McCauley) has gained some muscle. He looks like a tackle now and he’s more confident. It’s tough being thrown in at tackle as a true freshman.”

Asked what signs someone looking from the outside should seek to confirm that strides have been made up front, Gibson said, “Us running the ball better. Us being more confident as players, quarterback having more time to throw, being more confident in the pocket.”

As for signs of improved confidence, Gibson said, “Not getting down on ourselves and when we mess up thinking next play. Body language is huge. You can automatically tell when someone’s not confident in themselves, head down, things like that.”

Leading rusher Ke’aun Kinner returns and here’s a sleeper to keep any eye on: Khalil Herbert, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound freshman from Coral Springs, Fla. Herbert’s ripped, naturally runs low to the ground and is really, really fast.

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