http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16042839.htmQUARTERBACKS
EDGE>> K-STATE
K-State’s Josh Freeman is a true freshman, but he’s playing like a fifth-year senior. Freeman has been selected Big 12 offensive player of the week in back-to-back weeks, with the effort against then-No. 4 Texas his signature performance. He’s completed 55 of his last 77 passes for 681 yards and six touchdowns. ku redshirt freshman Kerry Meier has a strong arm and nice touch, but he is interception-prone.
RUNNING BACKS
EDGE>> ku
ku’s Jon Cornish, who has 1,130 yards this season, is closing in on the school’s single-season record. Cornish leads the Big 12 and ranks ninth in the country with 113 yards per game. K-State has been alternating junior James Johnson and freshman Leon Patton. Both have dramatically improved, but the Wildcats’ running game ground to a halt against Texas (23 yards) and can be inconsistent at times.
OFFENSIVE LINE
EDGE>> ku
Three seniors, headed by center David Ochoa, deserve some credit for helping ku rank 26th nationally in rushing offense. But sophomore tackle Anthony Collins may be the best of the Jayhawks’ line. On the other side, K-State’s line has come far after being a jumbled, inexperienced mess at the start of 2006. The Texas game was proof of the vast improvement.
WIDE RECEIVERS/ TIGHT ENDS
EDGE>> ku
If K-State’s Yamon Figurs does not play — he was listed as questionable earlier in the week and was missing from the depth chart — the Wildcats would take a huge hit despite a late-season surge by Jordy Nelson because they also have lost Jermaine Moreira. ku, meanwhile, is getting steady effort from Brian Murph, the No. 10 receiver in the Big 12, and Dexton Fields. Jonathan Lamb also has become a top-flight possession receiver.
DEFENSIVE LINE
EDGE>> K-STATE
Wildcats sophomore Ian Campbell might merit All-Big 12 consideration. He needs just half a sack to break K-State’s single-season mark of 11 1/2 . Senior nose tackle Quintin Echols and end Rob Jackson have been effective. The end spot, however, has failed ku. Tackles James McClinton and Wayne Wilder are tough against the run.
LINEBACKERS
EDGE>> K-STATE
Mr. Dependable, K-State senior Brandon Archer, ranks seventh in the Big 12 in tackles. He gets help from senior Zach Diles, who posted a monster game with a career-best-tying best 12 tackles against Texas. At ku, the injury bug has knocked out Eric Washington and Brandon Duncan for the season. The Jayhawks need Mike Rivera, spectacular on occasion, to show more consistency.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
EDGE>> K-STATE
Andrew Erker had to make an impact with Marcus Watts out because of an injury for K-State. And Erker did just that against Texas by making six tackles and forcing a fumble. ku may have the best cornerback the Wildcats have seen in 2006 in Aqib Talib, but Jayhawks true freshman Anthony Webb could find himself being picked on early and often by Freeman. ku ranks a lowly 117th in pass defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
EDGE>> K-STATE
Six special-team TD’s in 2006 speaks volumes about K-State. Kicker Jeff Snodgrass has done his share, too, including that clutch 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against Texas. Figurs’ spectacular 52-yard punt return against the Longhorns set up a score. ku’s Lamb is No. 2 in the Big 12 in punt-return average, and kick returner Jake Sharp, whom K-State wanted, is dangerous.
COACHING
EDGE>> K-STATE
My, how far Ron Prince has come at K-State. He was being criticized on numerous fronts when the Wildcats were 4-4. Now there are whispers he should be Big 12 coach of the year. On the opposite sideline, ku’s Mark Mangino has to wonder what might have been. His Jayhawks have lost five games by a total of 27 points. How much do so many close losses reflect on Mangino? You be the judge.
