SPORTS

KANSAN.COM

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Football
Gameday

KANSAS
EVAN RIGGS
@EvanRiggsUDK

TEXAS
TECH
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3

KANSAS

TEXAS TECH

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

RYAN WILLIS
FRESHMAN, QUARTERBACK

PATRICK MAHOMES II
SOPHOMORE, QUARTERBACK

Willis was the lone, bright spot in Kansas 66-7 defeat at the hands of Baylor. He
threw for just 158 yards, but could have easily racked up more yards if not for a
handful of drops by his receivers. Hes still showing some growing pains, but his
touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. was the best throw
by a Kansas quarterback this season.

Was dubbed Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the third time as he continues to direct a high-octane offense. Mahomes has thrown for over 300 yards in
eight of his last nine games and tossed four or more touchdowns in six of his last
nine games. Baylor junior quarterback Seth Russell torched the inexperienced
Kansas secondary even just in one half, but expect Mahomes to do far more
damage.

KEAUN KINNER
JUNIOR, RUNNING BACK

DEANDRE WASHINGTON
SENIOR, RUNNING BACK

After a hot start to the season, Kinners production has been declining each
of the last three weeks, including just two carries for six yards last week. The
decline in production can be attributed to the offensive lines inability to run
block, as well as a hamstring injury which cropped up last week. The Jayhawks need him to get back on track this weekend to take pressure off Willis.

Currently ranks as one of the best running backs in yards per carry (7.1) at 11th
in the nation. He sits 26th in total rushing yards with 586 and 37th in yards per
game with a 97.7 mark. Only four backs in program history have had a pair of
1,000-yard seasons, but it appears Washington is on pace for that mark for the
second-consecutive year.

STEVEN SIMS JR.

FRESHMAN, WIDE RECEIVER

JAKEEM GRANT
SENIOR. WIDE RECEIVER

With injuries sidelining senior receiver Tre Parmalee and freshman Bobby
Hartzog, Sims stepped up with a 36-yard touchdown. Willis has proven he
can throw the deep ball, and Sims will need to be the playmaker down the
field to help open up the short passing game and running game.

MARCQUIS ROBERTS
JUNIOR, LINEBACKER

GARY MOORE
SOPHOMORE, DEFENSIVE END

Kansas has struggled up front this year particularly the last two games against
some of the better defensive lineman in the conference. Texas Tech does not
create a lot of pressure, but Moore is someone to keep an eye on. He leads the
team in sacks with two, both coming against Iowa State. The sophomore defensive lineman has not started in a game, but Moore might have done enough to
be more involved upfront this week.

Roberts is the leading tackler among the Jayhawks front seven with 32, and is
the only linebacker with a tackle for loss this season. A week after scoring the
lone defensive touchdown for the Jayhawks, he recorded seven tackles against
Baylor. The Jayhawks will look to him to help shore up their rush defense that
ranks 121st out of 128 teams.
FISH SMITHSON
JUNIOR, SAFETY

Another senior on its roster that will be a tough matchup for Kansas. Grant
ranks first in the Big 12 and sixth nationally in all-purpose yardage with 174.83
yards per contest. Grant has the ability to score in several ways as he threw a
touchdown pass, return a kickoff for a score, in addition to having at least one
rushing and receiving touchdown. Look for the Red Raiders to get the ball in
the hands of Grant this week.

J.J. GAINES
SENIOR, DEFENSIVE BACK

As a team, the Red Raiders have a turnover margin with a 0.83 margin that ranks
them in the top 20. They have forced a dozen turnovers that also put them in the
top 20 in that category. A third of those turnovers have come on four interceptions
by Gaines. The senior defensive back intercepted a pair of passes last weekend. It
was the first time a Red Raider had recorded two interceptions since 2012.

Smithson enters the Texas Tech game leading the Jayhawks, with 45 tackles
this season after recording nine of them last week. That number is also good
for fourth in the Big 12. Like the rest of the Jayhawk secondary, Smithson has
struggled defending the pass. But his three pass breakups lead the team this
season.

PREDICTION: TEXAS TECH 59, KANSAS 17

PICTURE SENT FROM:

Marian McCoy

@mare_mccoy

All eyes on Dallas #WeeklySpecials

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