Jayhawks offer chance to refocus
AUSTIN — Before Nov. 19, 2016, it might have been impossible to locate a single person with the annual Texas-Kansas football game highlighted on their calendar.
Before that day in Lawrence, Kan., Texas had claimed 13 consecutive victories in the series dating to 1996. Its last defeat was a 1918 nail-biter in 1938.
But Matthew Wyman’s foot completely changed the tenor of this year’s clash. The Jayhawks kicker made a 36-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation, then drilled a 25yard game-winner in overtime. Kansas fans flooded the field and toppled the goalpost — a fitting metaphor for the end of Charlie Strong’s tenure.
That scene remains etched in the minds of all involved.
Getting back on track
Motivation for the Jayhawks (1-8, 0-6 Big 12)? The Longhorns (4-5, 3-3) have plenty and more.
“We’re real focused and motivated, but there’s certain games you kind of have a little extra motivation,” wide receiver Collin Johnson said. “I guess you could say this is one of them because of what happened last year just naturally. ”
If ever there was a game to reinvigorate a lifeless offense, it is this one. With dates remaining against West Virginia (averaging 40.2 points per game) and Texas Tech (38.2), UT needs immediate results.
Opponents have scored an average of 42 points per game against Kansas, the worst mark in the Big 12 and 127th nationally. Previously-winless Baylor just hung 38 on the Jayhawks with relative ease.
For Texas, which scored as many points (seven) as it allowed sacks in a loss to TCU, Saturday’s game should be a balm for its longstanding offensive troubles.
Sophomore Shane Buechele will earn the starting nod at quarterback again, although freshman Sam Ehlinger has been cleared and will be available.
Running back Toneil Carter and center Zach Shackelford will both make their return as well.
Defensively, Texas is still dealing with the fallout of cornerback Holton Hill’s season-ending suspension, which stemmed from a team rules violation. Junior Davante Davis is expected to start, but freshman Josh Thompson should rotate in throughout the day.
“Obviously with Davante’s experience, I would think he would jog out for the first rep, first series of the game,” Herman said. “But Josh has really come along in terms of progress made throughout the course of the season. That’s a true freshman that really embraced getting better, embraced his opportunities on special teams, and has
worked his way into being a guy that we think we can count on in that role, too.”
Even with Hill and nickelback P.J. Locke (ankle) out, Herman and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando would appreciate — and should expect — a shutout or something close to it.
A very winnable game
This game, aside from the compelling revenge factor, is more about discovering and maintaining some form of offensive momentum.
“This is one of those teams that if we play our best, it doesn’t matter what the opponent does,” Herman said. “We are good enough to win. Get out of your own way, take some deep breaths, and execute the way that you do in practice.”
Still, last season’s 24-21 loss and ceaseless hail of criticism that followed can’t
be completely neglected, right?
“The past is in my opinion not a great motivator,” Herman said. “I think if it gives a kid a little extra edge, knowing that they were embarrassed last year, then so be it. It’s not something we’ll dwell on.”
What happened in 2016 might not inhabit Herman’s mind. But to the team, this typically dull meeting with Kansas means quite a bit more than it once did.
“We were all a part of that and we have to own that that was a part of our team and a part of who we were last year,” senior linebacker Naashon Hughes said. “And that we’re not going to be that same team that we were last year during the KU game. Just basically saying that this was that team and we’re a different team.”