Except for the blocked punt, KU is outplaying Rutgers on offense and defense, esp. defense
stoptheflop
3267 posts
Finally got that corner pass. We probably need to work on that.
Nice start Jayhawks. Keep it going.
First possession 3rd and ten and we call a time out. WTF
Lots of fun Big 12 games today: TCU with a chance to show it's legit against The Ohio St. Oklahoma St can post a good win for the Big 12 by beating higher rated Boise St. And Texas has a chance to bounce back with its home game against Southern Cal. Heck, I'll even look in on the Okla game against Iowa St during breaks in the KU game.
@jayballer73 And jayballer, if we lose Coach Beaty will remind us in the post-game interview that the sun will come up tomorrow; which is not at all what I want to hear from a coach earning $ 1.7 million this year.
I consider myself a realist more than an optimist. Last week's win did pump some life into my interest in KU football. The Rutgers game is yet another chance for our offensive line to show improvement. Maybe, the excitement over Pooka Williams will pump some life into the O-line.
Rutgers is a run first oriented offense and I hope Coach Beaty focuses our offense on the run today. KU must generate more yards on first down. It seems every series is faced with third and long over and over. Why do I have this nagging worry that Beaty and Meacham will rely too much on the pass today? I was able to watch Bender's facial expression and body language during the Nicholls State game; he wasn't leading or playing with any confidence. I hope we rush the ball today and that we find some linemen who will protect Bender so he gains some confidence.
@JayHawkFanToo So, when Dedric takes a breather, what do you think the substitution order for him will be? Silvio, then Mitch? That sounds great to me.
@BShark Why would we let a few facts get in the way of a good ole Cal bashing? Facts/Schmacks JB, Cal/Kentucky bash away. I love it.
@Kcmatt7 I'm glad you're enjoying some college football. I tend to focus on the Big 12 and when I watch other games, I want both teams to lose.
6 turnovers and now Carter Stanley is in. Weird game.
It's weird that we get turnovers and breaks in this game, but in many games in the past all we needed was one small break to get a win. Strange game.
Who's ready to call this a W?
C Mich all of a sudden is moving the ball.
Touchdown Pooka Williams.
14-0 with 20 minutes to play.
Touchdown Pooka Williams.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Should Lassiter be fielding all these punts? Gosh, it seems like the ball just rolls and rolls.
Still halftime. KU had 30 yards of penalties and 151 of total offense. Our offense is so challenged, that we can't afford any penalties.
@DanR Kinda strange: Bender leads KU to a touchdown, then the next series, Beaty puts Kendrick in. But, we are moving the ball.
The defense is stopping C Mich. C Mich only has about 50 yds total offense. KU ball on its 24.
KU touchdown
End of Q1. No score. Another exchange of punts. KU will start Q2 with the ball on our 20. Our defense has been able to stop C Mich. But, our offense continues to struggle from penalties and poor O line play.
Neither team has been able to gain a second first down. Each team has two punts. KU is on offense at our 47; 3rd and short
@Kcmatt7 No broadcast coverage; only on ESPN+. I'm going old school and listening to the radio.
Pooka Williams with the start and the carry on the first play.
@BShark Just like us, Coach Self must wake up every day with a big smile as her contemplates the possibilities on offense. Like you, I have Dedric averaging 16-18/game. Of course, I haven't seen him play, but I think the year off will make him aggressive on offense. During the FIBU tourney, Grimes showed that he's willing to feed the post. This is going to be fun.
@approxinfinity Yes Joel is right there too. When I think of Joel's time at KU, my first thought always centers on his unfulfilled potential and my frustration with losing his contributions to injury; Joel was just starting to dominate when he was injured.
Silvio's first game was on Jan 13 against KState: 4 min, 1 TO, 1 Foul. On Mar 25 against Duke, he played 26 min and had 10 RBS, 9 of which were offensive rebounds. Those stats don't reflect his contribution of shutting down Duke's inside scoring. (Silvio and Svi's sandwich defense on Bagley). All in 2 months and 12 days of in-game development. But, Joel's 11 PPG, 8 RBS in 28 games is more impressive on offense. Silvio's reclassification and 2 month + contribution to a team desperate for help in the paint still makes me smile. I like the guy.
@Kcmatt7 I see you have McCormack as the substitute for Dok. I have De Sousa as the first big off the bench for Dok or Dedrick. If he's eligible and KU elects to play him, De Sousa deserves as many minutes as coach can get him and he will be invaluable at the 4 or 5. We'll see if the second big off the bench is Lightfoot or McCormack. That's a pretty nice problem to have: Experience and energy vs. size and potential. The decision on Lightfoot or McCormack will likely vary from game to game depending on the game situation and the week's practice effort.
I don't know the answers to your questions, but I want to go on record that Silvio's improvement from January to March was the greatest level of improvement I've seen for any KU player. Amazing really, when you think about a high school senior joining a top 5 team mid-season and being able to contribute high quality minutes during the tournament. RCJH
@Woodrow What is your estimate on the attendance last night? The official amount always seems overstated when I attend the games. But, many students like my daughter left Lawrence for the holiday weekend, so the student section is always lower due to the holiday.
Please, stop this torture.
60 YDS rushing through 4 Q's.
@Texas-Hawk-10 But it would make me feel better; like the university agrees that he sucks.
Coach Beaty will be paid 1.7 million this year. During a pregame interview, he said he was letting the players take the lead during practices. Something like "player-led practices." Whatever Coach Beaty and staff are doing, it isn't working.
What a moron on special teams. All new coaches please.
Only 61 YDS rushing in the first half. What's it going to take to get an offensive line that can block for the run?
@DanR But at least we're televised. KState's game is on ESPN3.
Good lord we need a three and out. Come on defense.
Clearly our offensive line isn't ready to play. Nicholls state is killing both O and D lines.
Question: Are you wearing KU gear today? If yes, are you wearing it outside your home? As I was putting on a plain blue t-shirt and cargos, I noticed I wasn't looking for a KU jersey to wear in support of my favorite team.
Well game day is here and there isn't a single topic or thread on Nicholls State. That should be a very loud statement to the administration. Does this happen to you too: With game day approaching KU alum who knows you are also a KU football fan can only make jokes about how bad the program is instead of talking football? My KState acquaintances express sympathy for me. This is a must win and I'm anxious/nervous to see if our players know that and play hard. Last year's only W against SE Miss. was a lot closer than the score would indicate. KU just wasn't very good and didn't play hard. And of course that continued the rest of the year. But, I'm hoping and dreaming that our players come out and play with a nasty and inspired edge. Play tough Jayhawks.
@jaybate-1.0 I watched every minute of the FIBA tournament. Grimes had the ball in his hands a lot. My first impression was that he is big physically. Big enough to take the ball inside and defend the big guys on switches. Grimes isn't slender like Garrett. Grimes also made the biggest effort to get his teammates involved. Most players on those tournament teams just go one on one. But, he turned the ball over too; usually trying too hard to get it to a teammate. Grimes' three point shooting was off, but there's no reason he can't be a spot-up shooter. I can't wait to see these guys, Thanks Coach Self.
Since the NCAA tournament involves student athletes, I wish some component of the evaluation included academics. Perhaps, each school's graduation rate for all of its athletes; something that rewards schools for educating these students and not just acting as a minor league system for the professional leagues. Besides Ws, I get a thrill seeing our athletes get their degrees and be better prepared for the years after their sports career ends.
@jayballer73 The under-performance by the defense last year was the main contributor to the blow out losses. That was the biggest let down for my expectations. And I don't attribute much of the opponents' offensive success to our inept offense. The defensive line and the secondary just didn't compete on every play. Maybe the linebackers were competent, but certainly not a strength. As fans we focus on the offense and quarterback, but it's asking way to much of the offense to score more than 40 points a game because our defense gives up so many points. Our 2018 success starts on the defensive side with 3 and outs. Then, the offense won't get completely overwhelmed with playing from behind. I can't remember KU teams being so weak defensively.
If Chancellor Girod or AD Long need any further proof that KU football is nearly dead, please note that with our season beginning in less than 3 weeks, no one has commented on this site in about a week. A huge change is needed and needed soon.
Is anyone following Charlie Moore in Italy? Who is Coach Brown starting at PG ahead of Charlie? I was hoping Charlie's Italy experience would be similar to the role Coach Self gave Grimes in the FIBA tournament. Based on the description of Charlie's level of play by KU players from earlier this summer, I was expecting much more from Charlie in Italy.
@Woodrow Way to go, Woodrow. I went to the SE Miss game last year and really enjoyed seeing the Orange Bowl squad and Coach Mangino, who wore a black suit on a very hot day. The atmosphere was great, but I could see that our team was very weak against a much smaller opponent. You're right, it's still college football and the tailgaters don't seem to mind the poorly prepared team we field. RCJH
@jayballer73 Hey JB, I'm excited for college football to get started too. I'm curious if other posters already know how many KU football games they plan to attend. Right now, I'm not planning to attend any. But, that may change as the games get closer. Regarding KU football, I strongly support and appreciate the commitment by our student athletes. The lack of discernible progress last year convinced me it's time to change coaching staffs. When Weis's teams went 1-11 and 3-9, I thought that was the bottom for our football program. Now, 3 wins would seem to be a good year. I absolutely hate that KU is everyone else's homecoming game. Things must change.
@drgnslayr I've been thinking about a lineup with Dok, Dedric, Silvio and any guards coach wants to play. WOW.