Kansas football: 3 players to watch against Texas Tech

The Kansas football team returns from a week off to host Texas Tech. Here are three players to watch during Saturday’s homecoming game with the Red Raiders.

The Kansas football team has had two weeks to prepare for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders may not have been as dynamic on offense the past two weeks but they can score and score in a hurry. Among the big questions going into Saturday’s homecoming game against the Jayhawks is the status of Red Raider star wide receiver KeKe Coutee.

As a matter of fact, the junior is one of the best in the Big 12. He almost 500 receiving yards through 4 games. On the other hand, he injured a leg last week against Oklahoma State. Will he play Saturday? Jayhawk head coach David Beaty said he hopes he does.

“Hope Keke is ok,” Beaty lied during this week’s Big 12 coaches teleconference. “He is an exciting guy, worked hard to get where he is.” Beaty knows Tech wide receiver Dylan Cantrell will just fill in just fine for Coutee. “Almost like a tight end that plays wide out,” Beaty said of Cantrell.

The Jayhawks get Tech on an 11 a.m. kickoff so they must get off to a fast start before the Red Raiders wake up. Peyton Bender must avoid interceptions against an opportunistic Tech defense. Junior linebacker Dakota Allen leads the team with 35 tackles. The East Mississippi Community College transfer is one of 5 with an interception this season.

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If the game is close, Tech kicker Michael Barden is consistent. The junior from Austin has made all his extra points and is 4-4 on field goals. The longest came from 47-yards in the Red Raider win over Houston. The Kansas football team needs to start fast and not allow a late kick to decide the outcome.

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