In just over an hour, the Kansas Jayhawks will be looking to secure bowl eligibility for the third time under head coach Lance Leipold. If Kansas can take down the No. 13 Utah Utes, in what would be one of the biggest upsets in Lance Leipold’s career, then Leipold would officially have three bowl bids in a matter of five years. Something that sounded impossible before the former Buffalo coach walked through the door ahead of the 2021 season.
When looking at the Utes, the greatest strength lies in their elite rushing attack. By elite, we mean second-best in the nation elite, as Kyle Whittingham’s team tallies an astounding 280.3 yards per game.
When speaking with the media ahead of today’s matchup, defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald spoke on how his defense can limit Utah's explosive rushing attack.
“We got to do a better job of coaching guys' eyes and where they're supposed to look,” quotes McDonald. “And then guys got to take that into a game and look where they're supposed to look, 'cause your eyes are your greatest weapon…If you look right, you do right. And if our eyes are right, then we can get in the right gap and kind of do what we need to do.”
What makes Utah so dangerous is the fact that, at any point, literally anyone can become a rusher. In the year, the Utes have seven rushers with over 100 yards. Leading the team is star running back Wayshawn Parker. Parker has 836 yards and six touchdowns with an astounding 6.9 yards per carry.
Quarterback Devon Dampier follows next with 637 yards and seven touchdowns for 5.5 yards per carry. Carrying the touchdown crutch, however, are backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin and NaQuari Rogers, who both have 10 touchdowns.
Here are Utah’s leading rushers in order. Wayshawn Parker (836), Devon Dampier (637), Byrd Ficklin (496), NaQuari Rogers (376), Daniel Bray (265), Nate Johnson (207), Hunter Andrews (113).
Kansas’ rushing defense ranks 111th in the country. The Jayhawks allow 186.4 yards per game.
If the Jayhawks can get their rush defense right for one more game, Leipold’s chance of securing his third bowl game improves drastically.
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