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www.kstatecollegian.com | Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Successful safety
Jonathan Knight | Collegian
Safety Tysyn Hartman breaks up a pass to Colorado wide receiver Markques Simas in a 20-6 win against the Buffaloes last Saturday. The sophomore from Wichita leads the Wildcats with four interceptions and is tied for second with 37 tackles. Hartman has started all eight games for the Wildcats this season.
Converted quarterback focused on winning North title By Ashley Dunkak Kansas State Collegian
Assisted by the losses of Big 12 North foes Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri in recent weeks, K-State sits atop the conference standings, and the hope is that they will remain in that high position. Sophomore safety Tysyn Hartman, one of many converted players on Coach Bill Snyder’s squad this year, has confidence in the team’s ability to win the Big 12 North division. “It’s in our hands to do it,” Hartman said. “We’re in a great position to do it, couldn’t be in a better position right now. We just have to go in and execute, and I can’t see any reason why we can’t.” Hartman, a Wichita native, grew up playing football, beginning with flag football in first grade and graduating to tackle football in fourth grade. Both Hartman’s dad, who played in college at Fort Hays State and Texas Southern and briefly in the National Football League, and his uncle, who is seven years older than him and played in high school at Connolly Springs, served as liaisons between Hartman and the world of football. Hartman said, in addition to watching his uncle play, he always watched football on television growing up.
“Early on, because I didn’t know like it was the place for me.” much, I always liked the Miami Hur In high school, Hartman started three ricanes,” he said. “I always thought years at quarterback and defensive back. their uniforms were the best, and they When he arrived at K-State, he was burwere doing really well around that time ied on the depth chart as far as playing too, so I was kind quarterback, he said. of a bandwagon guy Coaches told him once growing up.” he switched he would While he dabbled be able to see the field in basketball in high and play, he said. Obschool, Hartman never viously, he ended up strayed from football. doing well and playing “Football was more and more. kind of my main focus “At first I wasn’t too date of birth: Aug. 9, 1989 because I enjoyed it so happy to switch because Height/Weight: 6’3”, 207 lbs. much,” he said. “I was playing quarterback you Hometown: Wichita, kan. never really a baseball get to touch the ball High School: Kapaun Mt. Carmel fan – too slow-paced every play,” Hartman Year: Sophomore of a sport for me, too said. “Now I’m glad I Position: Safety many breaks in the acmade the decision to Major: Business Administration tion. Basketball, school go through with it and Career starts: 16 and football were my couldn’t see having it Tackles: 37 main focuses.” any other way.” Interceptions: 4 K-State apWide receiver Colproached Hartman lin Klein, who worked about playing college with Hartman every football before any other school, he said, day last year at quarterback before Hartand that kind of stuck with him. The at- man moved to safety, said Hartman is a mosphere of the university that he sensed great guy and an extremely smart player when visiting the campus and attend- who plays hard. ing games also led him to choose to be a “I’m just so happy to see him doing so Wildcat, he said. well,” Klein said. “He really is such a big “It felt right,” Hartman said. “It felt part of our team. I’m just thrilled for him.”
An inside look at Tysyn Hartman
Hartman said the most significant shock of moving to defense occurred because it was the first real game that he played in college. “Just getting readjusted to the speed because it was so different than high school was something I wasn’t too good at [initially],” Hartman said. Hartman said the high points of his career have been his first interception, his first game starting and his first time getting the feel for a real game. His low moments included the recent game against Texas Tech, in which Hartman had a concussion and had to sit out. “I couldn’t help my team out,” Hartman said. “I was just sitting on the sidelines for three quarters of the game. We were suffering, and there was nothing I could do about it.” He explained the sensation of a concussion and said time alone will take care of the injury. “Really you’re just confused,” Hartman said. “You’ve got temporary memory loss. You’re not quite there in the head. Everything feels kind of fuzzy and foggy. Yours reaction time’s a little slower and things like that.” He passed all his cognitive tests, and
See HARTMAN, Page 4
Scouting Report Page 2 | Column Page 3 | Matchup page 3 | Game Preview Page 4
Kansas State CollegIAn
PAGE 2
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009
Wildcats sitting high, will face tough Sooner team
Scouting Report Strengths
Ryan Broyles Wide receiver #85
RB
Weaknesses
Broyles, a sophomore, has arguably been the Sooners’ most dangerous offensive weapon this season throughout the team’s first seven games. He leads the receiving corps with 36 catches and 500 yards. His eight receiving touchdowns are tied for third out of all NCAA wide receivers.
QB
WR WR
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CB Jeremy Beal Defensive end #44 Beal, a junior, has been as dominant as any defensive end in the country through the Sooners’ first seven games of 2009. He currently ranks fourth on the team with 34 total tackles, including 10.5 behind the line. He’s also recorded a team-leading seven sacks, one interception and a pair of forced fumbles.
strengths Wide receiver: Despite losing quarterback Sam Bradford to a shoulder injury, the Sooner receiving corps has been solid in 2009. Leading targets Ryan Broyles and Brandon Caleb have combined for 62 catches, 908 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Offensive line: Oklahoma’s offensive front five has been one of its most consistent units this season. The starters, which include two seniors and a junior, have
allowed just eight quarterback sacks through the team’s first seven games. Defensive line: The Sooner defensive front four has been giving opposing offenses nightmares all season. Under the leadership of defensive end Jeremy Beal and tackle Gerald McCoy, the starting unit has combined for 31 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 16.5 sacks. Linebacker: While Oklahoma boasts one of the nation’s premier defenses, the
DT
LB
DT
LB
WR
LT
LG
C
RG
DE
CB Ryan Reynolds Linebacker #4
LB
SS
Reynolds, a senior, leads a linebacking corps that ranks among the nation’s elite. Through seven contests, he ranks second on the team in overall tackles with 51, including six for negative yardage. He’s sacked opposing quarterbacks 3.5 times, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered another.
FS
Sooner linebacking corps may be its most well-rounded. Led by Ryan Reynolds, the starting linebackers have racked up a total of 14.5 tackles for negative yardage and 5.5 sacks. The unit has also played a role in the team’s turnover margin, picking off three passes and forcing four fumbles. Secondary: Oklahoma’s defensive backs comprise the team’s least effective defensive unit, but that’s not saying much, considering the Sooners rank 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense.
Through seven games, the starting cornerbacks and safeties have combined for eight interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.
Weaknesses
in his second stint as the team’s starting signal caller. Since coming in on Oct. 17 against Texas, Jones has been spotty, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Quarterback: When 2008 Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford went down in week one against Bringham Young, redshirt freshman Landry Jones was forced into action. Jones looked brilliant in his first start, a 64-0 manhandling of Idaho State, but hasn’t been nearly as impressive
Running back: While the Sooners average 144 rushing yards per game as a team, no player has emerged as a dominant runner through the team’s first seven games. Junior DeMarco Murray was sidelined last weekend with an injury, and if he’s not available on Saturday, that puts extra pressure on
senior Chris Brown, who is averaging just 61 yards per contest. Tight end: Oklahoma’s offense took a huge blow when preseason All-American Jermaine Gresham went down with a seasonending injury before the team’s first game, and the Sooners haven’t been able to recover. Four different players have started at the tight end position this season, but none of them have recorded more than 11 receptions. -Compiled by Justin Nutter
Wildcats look for first road win, maintain North lead By Grant Guggisberg Kansas State Collegian
The K-State football team, fresh off a two-game home stand, travels to Norman, Okla., to play the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday at 6 p.m. The Wildcats (5-3, 3-1 Big 12 Conference) look to win for the third straight week Saturday but face their toughest test so far this season in the Sooners (4-3, 2-1 Big 12). In his weekly press conference, head coach Bill Snyder noted the proficiency of the Sooner defense. “Defensively, they have a very good scheme in place,” Snyder said. “They have been very dominating, especially against the run. They are a very athletic team that runs very well and plays hard every down.” The Sooner defense has been great all season, holding opponents to an average of 10 points per game. While the defense has played ex-
tremely well, the offense has seen less production since last year, in part because of the injury to last season’s Heisman winner, quarterback Sam Bradford. After mentioning their defense, Snyder pointed to coaching and the ability to play through the struggles that injury can bring to a team. “But what is most impressive to me is the ability that they have shown to overcome adversity,” Snyder said. “They lost Sam Bradford and his replacement [Landry Jones] has been playing lights out. He is becoming more comfortable now that he knows that the offense is his and since then, the rest of the team seems to have more confidence in him.” Another problem for the Wildcats will be the home-field advantage that Oklahoma boasts. The team has a 27-game home winning streak, dating back to an upset loss against Texas Christian in 2005.
“Well they have a 27-game home winning streak right now, so that is obviously pretty impressive,” Snyder said. “It shows that they are a very talented team, especially at home. Bob [Stoops] and his staff have done a wonderful job down there, so I can understand why they have such an impressive streak going.” Senior defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald was unaware of the streak at the press conference Tuesday, but said that the team will approach it as they do every road game. “I did not even know about it until now, but we are getting ready to play our game,” Fitzgerald said. “Home or away, between those white lines, we just have to go out and play. We just have to try and not let the crowd be a factor.” The Wildcats will try and end the Sooners’ streak with a physical
See OKLAHOMA, Page 3
Senior defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald celebrates with teammate Emmanuel Lamur during the 20-6 against Colorado last Saturday.
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The Wildcats continLandry Jones, who has ued on their quest for a sur- shown some signs of promprising season and beat the ise in a couple games. Colorado Buffaloes last He has thrown for over week. They won 20-6 in a 1,000 yards and 13 touchdefensive game that feadowns with six interceptured little secondtions. Without half offense. Bradford, the After a K-State Sooners are still field goal, the Bufa dangerous team faloes drove down all around. the field and They recently beat scored a touchthe Jayhawks in down but hit the Lawrence, racking goal post on the up 35 points and extra point. picking off quarThe game was terback Todd ReTyler already over afesing three times scott ter the first half in one half. as no points were The Sooners scored in the secalso have a dual ond half, resulting in a threat of running backs less than thrilling game in Chris Brown and Defor spectators. Even with Marco Murray. They the Buffaloes’ two quarhave combined for over terbacks, they could not 800 rushing yards and do anything on offense. Keight touchdowns. State’s defense did well, Ryan Broyles may be limbut the offense struggled to ited again against the Wildput up more points when cats after suffering a right there were opportunities. shoulder blade injury earlier They fumbled on an opin the season. The Wildcats tion inside the 5-yard line will need to be firing on all and did not progress on cylinders for this matchup. consecutive drives after a They travel to Norman, few three and outs. Grant Okla., which is a bad sign, Gregory only threw for 80 but with how they are sityards, which was less than ting in the standings right both Cody Hawkins and Ty- now, they will still share ler Hansen of Colorado. a first-place spot in the Daniel Thomas finished North if they lose. Iowa with 145 yards rushing and a State plays at Texas A&M touchdown. Banks showed this week and could pull some signs of finesse in his off another upset like they moves but only had 14 redid against Nebraska to ceiving yards. Banks’s spetie the Wildcats. cialty is kick and punt reThe Wildcats have a great turns, and that’s what he opportunity to take over the will most likely do in the North if they can beat the NFL if he is drafted. Sooners. They are surprising The Wildcats are a runmany of their critics right first team, especially when now with the teams they are Gregory is at quarterback. winning against. The South Florida transfer I think the Sooners will is used to running options give the Wildcats some trouwhen he has the chance, be- ble. They are hard to beat at cause the Bulls often ran the home and have the advanoption with him and Matt tage with the talent on the Grothe under center. team. If the Wildcats are to Next up for the Wildcats win, their defense will need is Oklahoma. The Soonto play better than they have ers will be without Heisall season. I think the Soonman winner Sam Bradford, ers win at home 41-17. who still intends to enter the NFL Draft after having season-ending surgery. Even without him, they Tyler Scott is a junior in mass comhave a redshirt-freshman munications. Please send comments phenom in quarterback to sports@spub.ksu.edu
Continued from Page 2 running game that features running back Daniel Thomas. Fresh off a 145-yard performance last week against Colorado, the junior will have his work cut out for him against Oklahoma. Also needing to play well will be the Wildcat passing game, which starts and ends with the play of senior quarterback Grant Gregory. “It is no different preparation-wise,” Gregory said. “It is going to be a tougher week since we are playing a better team. We have to prepare more to get better, but it is going to be the same preparation.” Snyder and the Wildcats know the task before them and realize how tough the game is going to be to win. In the press conference, Snyder joked about not going to the game and even eliminating the first quarter altogether, as no Sooner opponent has been able to score in the opening period this season. “Well, we’re appealing the Big 12 Conference right now to see if we can start the game in the second quarter,” Snyder
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Offense The K-State offense struggled all game long last Saturday, scoring zero points in the second half. The performance of the passing game was so bad that quarterback Grant Gregory finished the game with fewer yards than each of Colorado’s two quarterbacks. The bright spot for the Wildcats, as usual, was the play of running back Daniel Thomas. His 145-yard, one-touchdown performance in just 20 carries paved the way for the Wildcats to win the time-ofpossession battle, something they’ve found success with in recent weeks. If the Wildcats are going to upset the Sooners, Gregory will have to play better.
The Oklahoma offense is far more inconsistent than last year’s squad, which averaged 51 points per game. With last season’s Heisman trophy-winner Sam Bradford undergoing season-ending surgery, the Wildcats will be facing the young but capable Landry Jones Saturday. Under Jones, the Sooners have struggled more than they have for years, finding themselves with three losses before the start of November for the first time since 2005. The Sooners also have a less experienced offensive line to play behind, which has hurt the production of the running game.
special teams The Wildcat special teams played well against Colorado last Saturday. While Brandon Banks did not have any kick returns for touchdowns, he did manage to put the Wildcats in good field position. The punt team also was able to recover a muffed punt that led to a Wildcat touchdown. Kicker Josh Cherry is also perfect on field goals in Big 12 Conference play. It will be important for the Wildcats not to make special teams mistakes.
The Sooner special teams have also performed well in recent weeks. Returners Dominique Franks and Ryan Broyles have both given the Sooners solid field position. Oklahoma’s punter, Tress Way, is averaging more than 43 yards per punt, which is good for 21st in the nation in punt average. The Sooner punt coverage has been especially good, with just eight of the 34 punts being returnable and the total yardage given up on punt returns currently at one yard.
defense The K-State defense has played well since the lopsided loss at Texas Tech. In the last two games, the Wildcat defensive line has put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, amassing 10 sacks. In addition, the secondary has come up big, with five interceptions during that span. This defensive resurgence will be tested against Oklahoma, with the Sooner offense full of capable players who can score in bunches. If the Wildcats hope to upset the Sooners, they will need to contain the running game and force Jones into mistakes with pressure up front. Not allowing big plays downfield will be crucial.
The Sooner defense is one of the best in the nation, with a defensive scoring average of 10 points a game. In big games, the Sooners still play well, allowing just 16 points in a loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry game and just 14 points in a loss against Brigham Young. With size and speed at every position, the Wildcats will have a tough time scoring points on offense, as the Sooners will no doubt prepare all week to stop Thomas and the running game, knowing the passing offense is struggling. The Sooner secondary is not outstanding and could be exploited it Gregory makes throws downfield.
Prediction Oklahoma 38, K-State 17 Can the Wildcats win this game? Stranger things have happened. Will the Wildcats win this game? It seems doubtful. Bill Snyder has the edge in coaching with Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops a former member of his staff, but in this match up, the Sooners have the edge in talent. Throw in a strong homefield advantage and the inability of the K-State offense to put up large
amounts of points, and this game could get out of hand in a hurry. The Sooners may struggle to score against a K-State defense that is much improved in Snyder’s first year back on the job, if for no other reason than because they are starting an inexperienced quarterback. However, anyone who remembers the 2003 Big 12 Championship game knows they play the games for a reason. -Compiled by Grant Guggisberg
joked. “We’re just going to stand on the sideline until they run the clock. I don’t know what to do. You’ve got to hope you can hold your own.”
Other Big 12 Games this week Saturday, OCT. 31 Nebraska at Baylor Missouri at Colorado Iowa State at Texas A&M Kansas at Texas Tech No. 3 Texas at No. 14 Oklahoma State
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HARTMAN | Team unity on the rise in Snyder’s first year back Continued from Page 1 by Monday, two days later, he was feeling fine, he said. He said he just had to go through the process and make sure not to go back on the field and make it even worse. On a lighter note, Hartman said there haven’t been many lows other than that. “Just the feeling I get after our off-season workouts,” he laughed. “[I’m] feeling pretty low
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after those.” Hartman described the team as being very close and said the camaraderie is probably the biggest improvement from last season to this one. “We’re hanging out a lot outside of football, not just in the complex or on the football field,” he said. “Once we leave, we’re all hitching rides places, not everybody’s driving separately. [We’re] really getting to know the guys a
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lot better than we had the previous year.” Hartman said the approach to the next game needs to be the same whether the team has lost or won. He said after the Texas Tech game they knew they needed to learn from their mistakes and put all those behind them, press forward and try and get better. “Coming off a big win, it’s the exact same way,” Hartman said. “You don’t
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want to dwell on a win because then you get complacent and don’t quite prepare as hard.” Coach Bill Snyder said while Hartman is still young and has a ways to go, he certainly likes Hartman and the way he plays. “I like his focus on trying to do things the right way,” Snyder said. “He’s got a very positive career in front of him. How good he becomes remains to be seen.”
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