From: maryb@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Jayhawk Posting #24
Date: 13 Oct 92 23:18:12 CDT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

This article is from the Tuesday, October 13, 1992 issue of the University
Daily Kansan.

DEFENSE RANKS NO. 2 IN THE NATION
Kansas' Performance Against K-State Boosts Team Numbers
by David Bartkoski, Kansan sportswriter

   For much of Kansas' 1992 football campaign, its offense has stolen the
statistical spotlight. The Jayhawks led the nation in scoring earlier this
season and have been ranked nationally in the top 10 in total offense. But
the Kansas defense also has produced some eye-opening numbers this season,
holding Kansas State to negative numbers Saturday. The smothering defensive
effort by Kansas, which is giving up 209.2 yards of total offense a game,
has elevated the Jayhawks to No. 1 in total defense in the Big Eight
Conference.
   The Jayhawks' defensive statistics also compare favorably with most
teams in the nation. Kansas ranks second in total defense behind Alabama,
6-0, and is sixth in rushing defense. Alabama is first in rushing defense.
   The defense had a record-setting game, dominating the Wildcats' offense
and holding K-State to 69 yards of total offense and minus 56 yards
rushing, the fewest rushing yards ever allowed by the Jayhawks. K-State did
not get a first down until the third quarter, and the Jayhawks recorded 20
tackles for losses, including nine sacks. K-State's first seven rushing
plays were for negative yardage.
   Sophomore defensive end Sylvester Wright contributed to the Jayhawks'
defensive effort against K-State with two tackles for losses and a fumble
recovery. Wright said the strong showing against the Wildcats could serve
as a springboard for the rest of the season. "It feels really good," he
said. "Now we know what we're capable of doing."
   The defense already has shown its capability to stop opponents behind
the line of scrimmage. Kansas has stopped its foes 64 times behind the line
of scrimmage for 259 yards in losses.
   Kansas senior linebacker Hassan Bailey, who has made seven tackles for
losses, said the Jayhawk defensive players must worry about themselves, not
their opponents. "It's what we do, and not what they do," Bailey said. "We
have to be greedy. We have to be selfish. We have to be cocky. We have to
let any team that we play know that our defense will keep them down."
Bailey has started 34 consecutive games and is 15th on Kansas' all-time
tackles list with 254. The Jayhawks work in practice on preventing plays of
more than 20 yards, he said. The work seems to be paying off as the Kansas
defense allowed only one play of more than 20 yards against K-State and has
allowed only six plays of more than 30 yards this season.
   Junior linebacker Larry Thiel has done this part to spark the Jayhawks
defense. Thiel has a team-leading 39 tackles and three sacks. He said the
16-day layoff Kansas had after its 27-23 defeat to California gave the
Jayhawks time to get back to the basics. "The fundamentals are the
fundamentals. You've got to have them," he said. "We kind of went away from
them in some of the games we played. When you get a chance to go back and
work on them again, you do it."
   Kansas will have a chance to improve its 4-1 record and its statistics
Saturday when it travels to Ames, Iowa, to play Iowa State.

Posted to r.s.f.c. by "Kansas Mary"
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college