Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas football: Defense must make changes

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 08: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the sidelines during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - OCTOBER 08: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the sidelines during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Kansas football team did not play Saturday thanks to the bye week. The Jayhawk defense needs to find solutions for the rest of the season.

I know David Beaty and the Kansas football team took time during the bye week to take a long look at the Jayhawk defense. Beaty admitted it during Tuesday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference. “We had a little time to look deep into things we know we have to improve on,” he said. Going into Saturday’s action, Clint Bowen’s defensive is ranked 9th in the 10-team Big 12 Conference.  They are ahead of Baylor and just behind West Virginia.  As a matter of fact, the stats are not all bad.

Individually after 4 games, Jayhawk linebacker Joe Dineen leads the Big 12 in tackles and tackles for loss.  It is not even close. The Junior from Lawrence who missed most of last season with a leg injury has 35 solo tackles and 52 overall. The conference should have listed him as preseason defensive player of the year.

The conference lists Dineen and Jayhawk teammate Mike Lee among the conference leaders in tackles. Dineen and Daniel Wise have combined for 12 tackles for loss. On the other hand, there are no Jayhawks among those listed anywhere for quarterback sacks. Bowen’s defense is at the bottom of the list of league team in sacks. The team has 3 sacks for a loss of 17 yards in four games.

Next: 2 former KU basketball standouts should be in the NBA

Despite some quality individual play, the Jayhawks find their defense at the bottom of Big 12 schools for passing defense and passing defensive efficiency. I know that does not surprise anyone.  There is a bright spot. The Jayhawks are 8th in rushing defense, just behind Oklahoma State and ahead of West Virginia and Baylor.

The Kansas defense also is not getting many turnovers. The Jayhawks have a couple of interceptions after four games and two fumble recoveries. There is a lot to fix in one bye week. It will be fascinating to see what Bowen and Beaty come up with against Texas Tech.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks Football