Double Coverage 2016-11-18

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ON THE EDGE

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On paper, Texas’ 24-20 loss to then No. 16 West Virginia was a nice moral victory for the underdog Longhorns. The Mountaineers, led by star quarterback Skyler Howard, were challenged by the ever-improving Texas secondary, and D’Onta Foreman and Shane Buechele both turned in solid showings against what may be the Big 12’s best defense. But for head coach Charlie Strong, there are no more moral victories. Texas still needs to win one of its last two games just to become bowl eligible. The Longhorns should be able to put Kansas away in Lawrence and reach the postseason for the first time in two years.

A road win and a bowl would be a nice resume point for Strong. But at this point in the season, one win against the Jayhawks might not cut it, and any step backward will likely be a step too far.

Friday, November 18, 2016

PLAYERS TO WATCH

By Steve Helwick @naqwerty3

Carter Stanley Quarterback #9

Stanley is the newest option at quarterback for the 1-9 Jayhawks.

The redshirt freshman guided Kansas to its closest game in weeks, only falling by seven points to Iowa State on Saturday. He completed over 68.4 percent of his passes for 171 yards in the loss. In his first start, the Jayhawks posted 24 points — their highest point output against an FBS team this season.

Stanley is a fresh hope on a Kansas team seeking its first conference victory in over two years. The opposing Texas Longhorns rank 111th nationally in passing yards and touchdowns given up in 2016.

Steven Sims Jr. Wide receiver #11

The sophomore wideout has been Kansas’ top receiving threat this season.

He has passed the 100-yard mark four times this season and earned nine receptions on four different occasions, the latest against Iowa State.

Sims leads all Kansas players with seven trips to the end zone this season.

The Texas-native sat out the 59-20 loss to Texas last season, but is set to play in his home-state on Saturday. Sims is just 5-feet-10-inches tall, but uses blazing speed to burn defenders downfield. His current receiving average of 12.3 yards per catch is highest among Jayhawks’ receivers with at least 10 catches.

Double Coverage Editor...................Daniel Clay Design Editor.................................Lillian Michel Photo Editor...............................Daulton Venglar Copy Editor....................................Victoria Recer Cover photo:.................................................Zoe Fu Writers Claire Cruz Trenton Daeschner Steve Helwick Tyler Horka Shane Lewis Sydney Rubin Ezra Siegel

Tyler Patrick Wide receiver #4

Patrick missed the majority of the Jayhawks’ games this season, but when given an opportunity, he has been a great receiver in the offense.

The redshirt sophomore receiver started in Kansas’ lone victory in 2016. In the 55-6 rout on opening weekend, Patrick recorded five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Labeled as a strong route-runner, Patrick has earned six receptions in three of the other games he has played this season. He finally returned in Kansas’ loss to Iowa State, and may play a role on Kansas’ deep receiving corps Saturday.

Patrick received plenty of playing time last season against Texas, earning 23 receiving yards in the loss.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. Defensive end #2

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Armstrong has been the star of the Kansas defense this season.

The sophomore from Houston is tied for 20th in the FBS with eight sacks in the 2016 season. Armstrong has recorded a tackle in every game this year, with a career-high seven against West Virginia. Armstrong has also gotten his hands on the ball this year, forcing two fumbles on the season.

He has 39 tackles in 2016, and knows how to defend passes from the defensive line. Last year in Austin, Armstrong defended three passes in the loss to Texas.

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Friday, November 18, 2016

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WINS IF / LOSES IF

By Shane Lewis @theREALsplewis

Texas Wins If

There are numerous scenarios in which Texas wins this weekend. Kansas, who is yet to win a conference game this year, struggles in just about every facet of the game.

The Jayhawks rank last in the Big 12 in scoring and total offense, and rank next to last in scoring and total defense. Kansas has also turned the ball over a staggering 31 times, a number that ranks last in the country.

Texas wins if it sticks to the game plan and rides the coattails of junior running back D’Onta Foreman. The back is coming off of another impressive outing against West Virginia, in which he ran for 167 yards. Foreman is yet to rush for less than 100 yards in a game this season.

This streak should continue, as Kansas has been absolutely abysmal in stopping the run. The squad has given up 225 rushing yards per game and has shown no signs of improvement. The Jayhawks just allowed Iowa State’s freshman back David Montgomery to rush for a season-high 169 yards, a week after allowing West Virginia to have two 100-yard rushers.

If Texas gives Foreman a healthy amount of carries, then the Longhorns should come away with a victory. Kansas has shown no sign this year that it is capable of stopping the run, and the Jayhawks have not yet played a back of Foreman’s caliber.

Texas Loses If

On paper, Texas has the advantage over Kansas in practically every area. The Longhorns have the better quarterback, the better defense and a much more reliable special teams unit.

But there are two things that can breed conditions for an upset: turnovers and big plays. If Texas loses the turnover battle and its defense succumbs to breakdowns, then the Longhorns will be in position to lose this weekend.

Texas will be traveling to a stadium that is desperate for a win. Kansas hasn’t won a conference game in two seasons, and the home fans in Lawrence, Kansas have to be hungry for a victory.

Expect the Jayhawks to pull out all the stops in their last home game of the season.

In the Jayhawks near-upset over TCU early in the season, Kansas forced a season high four turnovers. Texas has been much better than Kansas with the football this year, turning the ball over 15 fewer times. But if this trend reverses, it may be enough to give Kansas the momentum it needs to be competitive.

Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff

Daulton Venglar | Daily Texan Staff

KEYS TO THE GAME

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By Sydney Rubin @sydneyrrubin

Capitalize off turnovers

Texas is one win away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2014 and has a 1-9 Kansas team on deck.

The Jayhawks are also looking to accomplish something that hasn’t happened since 2014 — a conference win. The Longhorns will travel to Lawrence, Kansas, this weekend with the upper hand, but they can’t take that for granted.

Early in the season, the Longhorn defense struggled to force turnovers. But now that the defense has found its footing and has consistently forced turnovers the past few weeks, the offense can’t seem to capitalize and convert turnovers into points.

Texas forced four West Virginia turnovers on Saturday but failed to execute once the ball got in the hands of the offense. The Longhorns intercepted the Mountaineers three times and recovered a fumble, but only scored seven points in return. Texas scored a touchdown off one of senior safety Dylan Haines’ two interceptions on the day, but came up empty following the other three takeaways.

Short-yard conversions

Junior running back D’Onta Foreman and senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes both possess monstrous strength and the unique ability to run down defenders. Swoopes even has his own “18-Wheeler” package, meant to be utilized in short yard and red zone situations.

KEYS page 6

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Friday, Novem

Strong struggles for consistency as time in Austin nears potential end

By Ezra Siegel

Daily Texan Columnist @SiegelEzra

The words “close” and “progress” have pervaded the Longhorns’ locker room this week.

Coming off a 24–20 loss to No. 14 West Virginia, head coach Charlie Strong’s team still believes it’s making strides after playing the Big 12’s top team to a tight game.

“You don’t ever want to say [it’s] a moral victory,” Strong said. “Overall you just like how competitive they are now and just how much pride — it’s all about pride — they have within themselves and within the program.”

But when does pride turn into results?

Texas enters this weekend’s game against Kansas sitting at 5–5, marking the third-straight year in which the program has reached five losses. Strong said after his first season, a 6–7 campaign, he’d never lose five games again in Austin. But the Longhorns are once again in a struggle to finish the season with a .500 record.

Strong admits the program isn’t where he envisioned, saying “there’s no excuses” and “the losses are mounting.” Now he’s banking on a big finish to the season to back up his talk of progress.

“I think that our [President Greg Fenves] will take a long look at [my job],” Strong said. “We’ve just got to still finish out. We still have two games left, so let’s go finish out those games and let’s see where we are at the end of the season.”

The Longhorns have shown flashes this year. The team knocked off two top-10 teams in then-No. 10 Notre Dame and then-No. 8 Baylor this year — though both have gone on to lose multiple games since. And Texas added to its resume after picking up a massive win on the road over Texas Tech two weeks ago.

Texas has also seen a big-time turnaround on defense; it’s forced multiple turnovers in five of six games since Strong took over the play-calling from defensive coordinator Vance Bedford in early October.

“I think we’re progressing,” sophomore tackle Connor Williams said. “We’re maturing, and we understand what we can produce, and we understand what

Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff

Head coach Charlie Strong holds a 16–19 record at Texas as his third season on the 40 Acres draws to a close. He’ll need to amass a few more wins if he wants any shot at bettering his mark in a fourth season.

we can be. We just need to come out and execute on all cylinders, and we know if we do that, we’ll be a very good team.”

Strong and his team have two regular season games left to turn progress into results. A win against Kansas on Saturday would clinch a bowl game for the first time since 2014. Strong and his players have said making the postseason is a major goal. But perhaps it more appropriately signals an averted disaster — Texas has missed consecutive bowl games just three times since 1942.

“They want to get to a bowl game [and] I think that’s a motivating factor for them,” Strong said. “When you sit home and you watch the other teams play and you feel like you’re good enough to be there and then you’re not there, but with these two games left, I think

we’re going to find a way where we’re going to find a way to get us [there].”

The Longhorns still can finish 2016 with their best record under Strong with two wins the rest of the way.

And the third-year coach likely needs that to happen to keep his job in Austin.

Texas’ players say they’re confident they will get the job done. And many believe the team is on the verge of something special.

“We’re right there, we’re just that much closer,” sophomore cornerback P.J. Locke III said. “We just got to kick the door down. Can we show flashes, but also stay consistent? We have to keep that light on.”

Longhorn fans — and Strong — will soon learn if close is good enough.

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mber 18, 2016

Locke focuses on turnovers, locking down receivers in Texas secondary

By Tyler Horka @TexasTy95

West Virginia had the Texas defense on its heels to open the second half of last week’s competitive contest. Senior quarterback Skyler Howard completed two darts to set the Mountaineers up inside the Texas 35-yard line.

His sights set on extending his team’s 17–13 lead, Howard took a three- step drop and danced around in the pocket, looking for an open receiver. He thought he had one in junior Ka’Raun White. Sophomore safety P.J. Locke III proved otherwise.

Locke jumped the route and stepped in front of White before he completed his 10-yard button hook.

He reached out to snag the ball and held on for the second interception of his career.

But the plays the Texas defense didn’t make weighed more heavily on Locke’s mind than the ones that they did in a heartbreaking 24–20 defeat on home turf.

“We came down [to] just a few plays that we didn’t make,” Locke said. “And that was the result in the game.”

The Texas defense, though, has made plenty of plays en route to showing slow but sure signs of turning the corner under head coach Charlie Strong.

Locke has been in the mix on multiple of them.

Three weeks ago against Baylor, sophomore cornerback Kris Boyd tipped a pass several feet upward.

Locke tracked it down and made a diving catch to secure his first career interception.

Zoe Fu | Daily Texan Staff

Sophomore safety P.J. Locke has invigorated the Texas defense with three forced turnovers in three games. He’ll have an opportunity to collect more takeaways against a Kansas offense that ranks last in turnovers lost.

Later in the game, senior defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. stripped a Baylor ball carrier. Locke recovered the fumble near his own goal line, preventing a Bears’ touchdown. Both takeaways proved pivotal in a 35–34 victory.

“We all came together,” Locke said. “I’m proud of my team for that. We get a stop and we expect offense to score. If the offense doesn’t score, we’re going to get the ball back.”

Texas has generated 11 turnovers in its past four games. Since Strong took over defensive play calling duties, his unit has forced 16 turnovers. The Longhorns came away with one turnover in four games under Vance Bedford’s command to start the season.

And though the Texas offense has only 10 points to show for the 16 turnovers Strong’s squad has produced, he echoed Locke’s sentiments, saying it’s still imperative that his defense continues to get off the field.

“We have to get the ball back for our offense,” Strong said. “Because if we get the ball back for our offense, we’re going to be able to generate points.”

This week, Locke and company have an opportunity to have a field day in getting their teammates on the other side of the ball back onto the turf.

Kansas ranks dead last in the FBS in turnovers lost; the Jayhawks have coughed up the rock a staggering 31 times.

But Locke and his teammate aren’t overlooking the Jayhawks. Junior safety Jason Hall said he prepares to play every game as if the opponent was the same.

“You can’t let the outside factors affect you,” Hall said. “You’ve got to just stick to your craft and just focus on what you have to do and just believe that you’ll be able to execute it.”

Locke said he knows Kansas will test the Longhorns, especially after TCU barely escaped Lawrence, Kansas, with a one-point victory in October. Road wins have been hard to come by for the Longhorns no matter where they’re playing.

“You’ve got to put them away early because this team has nothing to lose,” Locke said. “You can’t just leave them hanging around.”

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Friday, November 18, 2016

MATCHUPS

Zoe Fu | Daily Texan file photo

Freshman linebacker Malcolm Roach has come on strong for the Texas defense. The true freshman has three sacks and 28 total tackles this season.

KEYS continues from page 3 Down 17-10 with seven seconds remaining in the first half against the Mountaineers, the Longhorns were faced with a fourth-and-one situation on the two-yard line. But head coach Charlie Strong called upon kicker Trent Domingue, opting for three points instead of a touchdown. Domingue’s kick was good and brought the Longhorns within four, but those four points came back to haunt Texas as it lost by that many.

Texas will have to take some risks on short-yard situations and utilize its big men to break through.

The 18-Wheeler package has been absent the past few weeks, but it could be brought back to help Texas get first downs — and even scores — on shortyard situations.

By Trenton Daechner @TrentDaeschner

Quarterback Advantage: Texas

Running Back Advantage: Texas

Wide Receiver Advantage: Texas

Offensive Line Advantage: Texas

Defensive Line Advantage: Texas

Linebacker Advantage: Tie

Defensive Back Advantage: Tie

Special Teams Advantage: Tie

Freshman Shane Buechele didn’t play wonderfully against West Virginia last week, throwing an interception and almost having a few more picked off. Buechele finished the day only averaging 6.6 yards per attempt, but he did have a rushing touchdown.

Freshman Carter Stanley started for the first time last week against Iowa State and played decently.

Kansas is currently assessing its quarterback situation after junior Montell Cozart, who’s struggled this season, came back from a recent concussion.

Junior D’Onta Foreman turned in another great performance last week. Foreman finished with 167 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, but was held out of the end zone for the first time in three weeks.

Senior Ke’aun Kinner had his biggest game of the season against Iowa State, rushing for 152 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Taylor Martin also added 83 yards and a score for himself.

Junior Dorian Leonard broke out for 125 receiving yards on seven receptions against West Virginia. Freshman Collin Johnson turned in another solid performance and appears to have developed a chemistry with Shane Buechele.

Sophomore Steven Sims Jr. is the usually primary target for whoever’s behind center for the Jayhawks. Sims ranks fourth in the Big 12 in receptions per game and eighth in receiving yards per game.

The Texas offensive line looked vulnerable at times against West Virginia and struggled in pass protection. Shane Buechele was sacked four times and the running game stagnated in the second half.

The Kansas offensive line did a good job up front against Iowa State, and the Jayhawks were able to run the ball well, averaging 6.1 yards per rush. The Jayhawks rank sixth in the Big 12 in sacks allowed.

Bring on Hager and Roach

Sophomore defensive end Breckyn Hager is Texas’ leader in sacks and tackles for loss this season with five and nine, respectively. Hager has made a name for himself this season as a spark of energy that often ignites the Texas defense.

Freshman outside linebacker Malcolm Roach has also displayed a knack for charging the quarterback this season. Roach recorded a career-high seven tackles and three tackles for loss on Saturday against West Virginia, bringing his total to six tackles for loss on the season.

Hager and Roach have made huge contributions to Texas’ improved defense in the past few weeks. Texas should look to these two hard-hitters to pressure redshirt freshman Carter Stanley and make him squirm in the pocket.

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The Texas defensive line had one of its best games all season, helping stifle West Virginia for only 114 rushing yards. Freshman end Malcolm Roach finished with seven tackles, three for a loss, and a sack.

The Jayhawks got pummeled up front against Iowa State, giving up 238 yards on the ground.

Sophomore end Dorance Armstrong Jr. leads the Big 12 in tackles for loss and ranks second in sacks.

Sophomore Malik Jefferson left the West Virginia game with a concussion, and his status for Kansas is uncertain.

Sophomore Edwin Freeman has continued to make plays.

Freshman Mike Lee and senior Courtney Arnick combined for 22 tackles against Iowa State. Sophomore Keith Loneker Jr. added eight tackles of his own.

The Texas secondary was instrumental in forcing turnovers against West Virginia. Senior Dylan Haines had two interceptions, sophomore P.J. Locke III had an interception and sophomore Kris Boyd forced a fumble.

The Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 in pass defense, allowing 237.3 yards per game.

Senior safety Fish Smithson had six tackles and an interception against Iowa State.

Texas had yet another field goal blocked last week, one that helped decide the game in hindsight. Senior kicker Trent Domingue is now 14 of 19 on field goals this season.

Junior receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez had a productive day against Iowa State in the kick return game with 92 yards on four returns. Senior kicker Matthew Wyman has made only eight of 14 field goal attempts this season.

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Friday, November 18, 2016

NOAH BROOKS

DANIEL CLAY

CLAIRE CRUZ

TRENTON DAESCHNER

STEVE HELWICK

TYLER HORKA

SHANE LEWIS

SYDNEY RUBIN

Overall Record

63-36

66-33

60-39

66-33

68-31

57-42

51-48

62-37

57-42

64-35

Last Week’s Record

7-3

8-2

5-5

5-5

5-5

6-4

4-6

5-5

5-5

6-4

Texas vs.

Kansas

Texas 45-21

Texas 45-13

Texas 38-17

Texas 42-17

Texas 45-14

Texas 38-13

Kansas 21-14

Texas 42-20

Texas 41-17

Texas 52-10

Washington State vs. No. 10 Colorado

Washington State

Washington State

Colorado

Colorado

Washington State

Washington State

Washington State

Washington State

Colorado

Washington State

No. 11 Oklahoma State vs. TCU

TCU

Okla. State

Okla. State

TCU

Okla. State

TCU

TCU

Okla. State

Okla. State

Okla. State

Florida vs.

No. 16 LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame

Virginia Tech

Notre Dame

Virginia Tech

Notre Dame

Virginia Tech

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Virginia Tech

Notre Dame

Virginia Tech

No. 2 Ohio State vs.

Michigan State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

No. 4 Clemson vs.

Wake Forest

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Wake Forest

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Arkansas vs.

Mississippi State

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

Mississippi State

Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas

No. 9 Oklahoma vs.

No. 14 West Virginia

West Virginia

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

West Virginia

Oklahoma

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

No. 13 USC vs.

UCLA

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

UCLA

USC

USC

USC

MICHAEL SHAPIRO

EZRA SIEGEL

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Kinner aims to end career with victory against home state team

By Claire Cruz @claireecruz5

Senior running back Ke’aun Kinner didn’t visit Lawrence, Kansas, before committing to play for the Jayhawks in 2014.

He spent two seasons at Navarro College — a two-year institution in Corsicana, Texas — working hard to get a chance to play Division I football. He received an offer from Iowa that many expected him to take. But a phone conversation with then newly-appointed head coach David Beaty changed his mind.

“Beaty called me, and when we were on the phone he explained his expectations and what he wanted to do with the program,” Kinner said. “He sounded different from all the coaches I had ever talked to, he was sincere and true. I made my decision and then went to visit.”

Kinner made a smooth transition from junior college to Big 12 football. He said playing in a Power Five conference is faster and harder than he thought, but Kinner has always thrived when much is expected of him.

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[Beaty] sounded different from all the coaches I had ever talked to, he was sincere and true.

As a senior at Little Elm High School, he racked up 2,936 rushing yards and carried a strenuos workload. Kinner recorded 50-plus carries in consecutive games in 2012 and was named the Associated Press Texas Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year.

Kinner’s low grades and test scores pushed him toward the junior college route, and he quickly became a key cog in Navarro’s offensive scheme. He rushed for 1,918 yards in his two seasons – third-most in school history – and his 26 touchdowns are tied for most career scores by a Bulldog. In 2014, he was named the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Kinner’s production has continued at Kansas. As a junior, he led the team with 564 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He currently leads the Jayhawks with 644 rushing yards, and his three scores are tied for thirdmost on the team. But Kinner gives all the credit to his offensive line.

“I just try to motivate the o-line as much as I can,” Kinner said. “I always tell myself ‘I go as they go.’ We work together, we work for each other, and my success goes to them.”

The Jayhawks haven’t had much success on the football field, recording just eight total wins and two conference victories dating back to the 2012 season. But Kinner said Kansas goes into every game thinking it can win, as playing for teammates drives the team forward.

“Just knowing you’re doing this with the team, you’re going to battle with your team,” Kinner said. “We always prepare to beat our opponents. We know we can win games, we just

♲

Friday, November 18, 2016

Courtesy of Kansas Athletics

Senior running back Ke’aun Kinner tore up Texas defenses at both the high school and junior college levels during his time in the Lone Star State.

need to eliminate mistakes that hurt us.”

The team’s matchup with Texas marks Kinner’s last chance to earn a victory in front of a home crowd, and he said he definitely thinks Kansas can get the job done.

We work together, we work for each other, and my success goes to them.

The Jayhawks have dropped nine games in a row, but Kinner knows how to keep the young backs motivated. He took on a leadership role at Kansas, which was something he hadn’t done before, and uses his relationships with younger teammates to keep everyone’s spirits up when times get tough.

With just two contests left on the schedule and no chance at a bowl game, Kinner knows his collegiate career is coming to a close. And though he spent just two years at Kansas, there will be some emotion when the final whistle blows.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet, that my career is almost over,” Kinner said. “I think the feeling of this being my last home game will hit me when I walk off the field.”