GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Kansas will have to dodge quarterback pressure in its clash against Oklahoma State, a tough challenge considering the Cowboys lead the nation with 19 sacks through four games. Seven of those were registered in a Sept. 15 win over then-No. 15 Fresno State. DE Jordan Brailford leads the Big 12 with four sacks for the Cowboys. QB Peyton Bender, the Jayhawks’ starter, struggles with mobility. Backup QB Miles Kendrick is more elusive but was injured in the Sept. 22 loss at Baylor.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Joe Dineen continues to make an impression NFL scouts must look at when determining if the linebacker is capable of playing at a higher level. His range makes him a tackler who has recorded double-digit stops in each of the Jayhawks’ first four games and leads the nation with 26 solo tackles, averaging 8.7 per game.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB Miles Kendrick suffered an apparent shoulder injury in the third quarter of the Sept. 22 loss at Baylor. Kendrick was listed as day-to-day during preparations for the game against Oklahoma State. He was injured on a keeper after subbing in for starting QB Peyton Bender. Kendrick passed for 37 yards, going 4-of-6. QB Carter Stanley entered after Kendrick was injured.
–CB Ricky Thomas missed the Baylor game with an undisclosed injury after suffering an apparent injury in practice. S Hasan Defense replaced Thomas, who returned to practice for the Oklahoma State game, though the extent of his participation was unknown.
–Kansas coach David Beaty said the coaching staff has worked on rotation issues within the defensive line that prompted defensive coordinator Clint Bowen to call two timeouts in the Baylor loss. “I can assure you we have a plan to get that fixed and that won’t happen again.”
=
