Kansas football: Defense will be tested in season opener
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas football team is set to open the season Saturday. The Jayhawk defense will face their first test against an experienced quarterback.
The 2017 Kansas football season is finally set to kickoff Saturday at Memorial Stadium. We have been reading, watching and waiting for this since the spring game. There is a lot of excitement and positive anticipation about this team. I can’t wait to see what coach David Beaty shows fans.
Obviously, this is not Oklahoma State or West Virginia but the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. They are very enthusiastic about their senior quarterback Jesse Hosket. The last time Southeast had a returning quarter they won their conference. That is a long way from their 3-8 finish a year ago.
Hosket completed 50 percent of his 356 pass attempts in 2016 for over 2300 yards and 11 touchdowns. He threw for over 200-yards in eight games last season and will test the Jayhawk secondary, according to their headcoach Tom Matukewicz.
"Jesse is a once in a generation kid. We think he is one of the best quarterbacks in the FCS this year."
As a matter of fact, Hosket also runs the ball and they want him to run it, according to quarterback coach John Wiemers in a media release from the university. Hosket ran for three touchdowns in 2016 but struggled carrying the football. Despite his improvement on the ground, the Kansas defensive line should be able to take advantage of this possible flaw.
Next: How many wins will satisfy KU football fans in 2017?
It will be nice to see preseason All Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Dorance Armstrong and the rest the rest of coach Clint Bowen’s defense force Hosket out of the pocket. On the other hand, the young Jayhawk defensive backs also need to step up and do their part. Sophomore wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, led the Redhawks last season with four touchdowns and over 700 receiving yards. I expect a big game from the Jayhawk defense Saturday.