Game Preview: KU vs Sam Houston State

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: First Meeting
Time: September 20, 6:00 p.m. (CT)
Venue: Memorial Stadium (50,071) Location: Lawrence, KS
TV: FCS 
Line: None

Most Recent Meetings:
None

Hawk Digest Preseason Capsule on Sam Houston State

The Rundown
Consider segment one of the 2008 season completed. The earlier schedule all built toward the heavyweight matchup with USF. KU came up a little bit short in that and identified/confirmed strengths and weaknesses. The game against Bearkats kicks off another segment that builds toward the big one in Norman. It's a great time for Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch to apply what they learned in Tampa. More importantly, we've got to see this defense get more aggressive -- yes, specifically in the pass rush.

The Key
The key to the game probably occured when Jayhawk fans nailed the advance sellout. An angry Jayhawk team is going to want to put on a show for the growing fan base. The team may not quite realize what it means to have an advance sellout at Memorial after a tough road loss, but I think we can be assured the coaching staff will pass that along. On the field, I think we know what it takes for KU to win -- line up and execute. There are a few things we'd like to see -- Dezmon Briscoe and Daymond Patterson back with attitude, a decent kick return, some sacks, Angus Quigley as the starter and a 100 yard back. Oh yeah, and we'd also like to see Kerry Meier at QB in the second half.

The Bullets

• Kansas is riding an 11-game home winning streak and has won 16 straight home non-conference games  
  
• The 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champions will be honored at the end of the first quarter
  
• Three Jayhawks are leading the nation -- QB Todd Reesing in pass completions (34.3 per game), WR Kerry Meier leads with 29 receptions and LB James Holt with fumbles forced 
• Kansas is 26-8-1 all-time against FCS teams with all of the losses coming before 1940
  
• Daymond Patterson still leads the Big 12 in punt returns with 20.6 yards per return 
• Alonso Rojas is fifth in the conference with a 42.5 average. He's placed three balls inside the 20 yard line 
• James Holt now leads KU with 21 tackles and tackles for loss with 4.5 
• KU leads the Big 12 with a 56% success rate on third downs (28 of 50) 
• The Jayhawks also lead the Big 12 in red zone defense and time of possesion 

"We do know that they have a fine quarterback in Rhett Bomar, that started his career at OU and then consequently had to leave because of some issues, but he's talented, he throws the ball well, he runs the ball very well and he's got great speed.  From what we can see on defense, they are scrappy type of kids, they play hard."

--Mark Mangino on Sam Houston State