Oftentimes, close games are decided by the finest of margins; there is a clear correlation between winning the turnover battle and winning the game. Usually, this is something used to measure offenses. However, defenses have to do their part in forcing turnovers themselves, something the Kansas Jayhawks struggled to do last season.
Last season, the Jayhawks ranked 108th in the nation in terms of takeaways per game, averaging just .9 per outing.
Earlier this month, Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald was asked how to create more turnovers.
What Kansas is doing in practice to improve their numbers
“Turnovers are technique plus awareness. So, really showing a lot of film, having to show guys where we kind of missed some opportunities, be able to punch a ball out, strip a ball, different things like that. It's something that we work on every day,” opened McDonald.
Kansas finished last season with a -3 turnover margin, while also finishing 0-4 in games against power-conference opposition when the turnover battle was lost.
“After we do pursuit drill and practice, we always go to takeaways...Just all types of things, trying to build our awareness, and our technique, on how to do things. And the next part of that is just really get guys who can create turnovers. You talked about Leroy [Harris III] and David [Santiago], are some pass rushers who can get up there and kind of make the quarterback, throw some errant passes, or maybe get some strip sacks, and having some linebackers, who can separate people from the ball, having some safeties, who can separate people from the ball.”
In an attempt to rebuild last season’s paltry turnover numbers, head coach Lance Leipold enlisted what 247Sports ranked as the nation’s 53rd-best class via the NCAA Transfer Portal that included 14 healthy and eligible transfers on the defensive end who are looking to make an impact.
“So, like I said, this starts with technique plus awareness, and then it's about some guys using the technique that they're being taught when those opportunities arise to get that ball out and get us the football.”
Last year, the Jayhawks went 0-4 in games decided by less than 14 points, continuing an unfortunate trend over the past couple of seasons for Leipold. In those games against Missouri, Cincinnati, Arizona and Utah, Kansas finished with a -4 turnover margin. Those turnovers took place against the Bearcats (1) and the Utes (3), two games that were coin flips until the end
Beyond the turnovers, Kansas’ defense put together an all-around poor outfit that allowed 409.5 yards per game, allowing at least 30 points six different times. Fortunately for the Jayhawks, following their transfer portal revival and what should come with a natural progression from McDonald, Kansas can look back to its best.
It will have to, with the Jayhawks set to face some of the game’s best quarterbacks next season, all while having to push for a bowl game. If the Jayhawks were to achieve the six-win mark, it would be Leipold’s third in six years as KU head coach.
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