Kansas-Central Michigan college football preview
▪ When/where: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence
▪ TV/radio: Fox Sports KC; KMBZ (980 AM)
▪ The series: Kansas leads 1-0
▪ The line: Kansas by 3
KANSAS (1-1)
Date | Opponent | Result/time |
Sept. 6 | Southeast Missouri | W, 34-28 |
Sept. 13 | at Duke | L, 41-3 |
Saturday | Central Michigan | 2:30 p.m. |
Sept. 27 | Texas | 3 p.m. |
Oct. 4 | at West Virginia | TBA |
Oct. 11 | Oklahoma State | TBA |
Oct. 18 | at Texas Tech | TBA |
Nov. 1 | at Baylor | TBA |
Nov. 8 | Iowa State | TBA |
Nov. 15 | TCU | TBA |
Nov. 22 | at Oklahoma | TBA |
Nov. 29 | at Kansas State | TBA |
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (2-1)
Date | Opponent | Result/time |
Aug. 28 | Chattanooga | W, 20-16 |
Sept. 6 | at Purdue | W, 38-17 |
Sept. 13 | Syracuse | L, 40-3 |
Saturday | at Kansas | 2:30 p.m. |
Sept. 27 | at Toledo | 6 p.m. |
Oct. 4 | Ohio | TBA |
Oct. 11 | at Northern Illinois | 5 p.m. |
Oct. 18 | Ball State | TBA |
Oct. 25 | at Buffalo | TBA |
Nov. 1 | at Eastern Michigan | TBA |
Nov. 15 | Miami (Ohio) | TBA |
Nov. 22 | Western Michigan | TBA |
What’s at stake
After last week’s atrocious performance, coach Charlie Weis and Kansas are in need of a bounce-back performance against Central Michigan. That’s obvious. During a preseason appearance in Prairie Village, Weis pleaded with fans to give him September to show progress on the field. Come to Memorial Stadium, Weis said, and it’s up to him to take care of October and November. Well, Weis’ approval ratings are fading around Lawrence. After two mediocre performances, it’s imperative that Kansas beats Central Michigan — and does it in impressive fashion.
Cheers if …
Offensive coordinator John Reagan can unlock the Kansas offense. In the last seven quarters, KU has managed just 13 points. Weis was hopeful that Reagan’s new spread offense would add some simplicity and efficiency — especially to the passing game. Thus far, sophomore Montell Cozart is completing 45 percent of his passes for 285 yards.
Jeers if …
The Jayhawks lose the turnover battle again. Kansas was minus-two in turnovers after Cozart threw two interceptions last week. The Jayhawks need to protect the ball — and force some turnovers of their own.
Three things about Central Michigan
1 Central Michigan is expected to play without star running back Thomas Rawls, who is facing legal trouble after a reported theft charge. Rawls, a Michigan transfer, was the catalyst in the Chippewas’ blowout victory over Purdue on Sept. 6.
2 The Chippewas offense, led by longtime college assistant Morris Watts, is a throwback to a different era, featuring a starting fullback and tight end. Watts, who was the offensive coordinator at Kansas in 1982, began his coaching career at Drake in 1965.
3 Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush is a pocket passer who has completed 44 of 76 passes for four touchdowns.
Key matchup
Kansas’ running backs vs. the Central Michigan defense. Last week, Syracuse shredded the Chippewas for 289 yards rushing in a 40-3 victory. Three players rushed for at least 55 yards, and two players averaged more than 7 yards per carry. KU freshman Corey Avery and De’Andre Mann have looked like capable runners in two games. Can they make Central Michigan’s defense pay?
KANSAS OFFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
WR | 19 | Justin McCay | 6-2 | 210 | Jr. |
LT | 61 | Pat Lewandowski | 6-5 | 290 | Sr. |
LG | 63 | Ngalu Fusimalohi | 6-2 | 310 | Sr. |
C | 70 | Keyon Haughton | 6-2 | 300 | Jr. |
RG | 65 | Mike Smithburg | 6-3 | 305 | Sr. |
RT | 73 | Damon Martin | 6-3 | 305 | Jr. |
TE | 41 | Jimmay Mundine | 6-2 | 240 | Sr. |
WR | 8 | Nick Harwell | 6-1 | 193 | Sr. |
WR | 3 | Tony Pierson | 5-10 | 175 | Sr. |
QB | 2 | Montell Cozart | 6-2 | 200 | So. |
RB | 23 | De’Andre Mann | 5-9 | 198 | Jr. |
K | 17 | Matthew Wyman | 6-1 | 200 | So. |
KANSAS DEFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
DT | 35 | T.J. Semke | 6-2 | 265 | Jr. |
NT | 98 | Keon Stowers | 6-3 | 297 | Sr. |
DE | 93 | Ben Goodman | 6-3 | 250 | Jr. |
LB | 55 | Michael Reynolds | 6-1 | 240 | Sr. |
LB | 31 | Ben Heeney | 6-2 | 230 | Sr. |
LB | 57 | Jake Love | 6-0 | 220 | Jr. |
NB | 30 | Tevin Shaw | 5-11 | 192 | So. |
CB | 24 | JaCorey Shepherd | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. |
SS | 5 | Isaiah Johnson | 6-1 | 210 | Jr. |
FS | 33 | Cassius Sendish | 6-0 | 195 | Sr. |
CB | 12 | Dexter McDonald | 6-1 | 205 | Sr. |
P | 16 | Trevor Pardula | 6-5 | 212 | Sr. |
CENTRAL MICHIGAN OFFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
WR | 85 | Courtney Williams | 6-1 | 212 | Sr. |
WR | 84 | Titus Davis | 6-2 | 190 | Sr. |
LT | 77 | Ramadan Ahmeti | 6-7 | 300 | Jr. |
LG | 66 | Andy Phillips | 6-3 | 306 | Sr. |
C | 54 | Nick Beamish | 6-3 | 310 | Jr. |
RG | 75 | Kenny Rogers | 6-6 | 310 | Jr. |
RT | 60 | Kevin Henry | 6-4 | 306 | Sr. |
TE | 33 | Mike Kinville | 6-3 | 255 | Sr. |
QB | 10 | Cooper Rush | 6-3 | 220 | So. |
FB | 44 | Anthony Garland | 6-1 | 230 | Sr. |
RB | 6 | Saylor Lavallii | 5-9 | 213 | Jr. |
K | 17 | Ron Coluzzi | 5-11 | 185 | So. |
CENTRAL MICHIGAN DEFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
DE | 45 | Joe Ostman | 6-3 | 250 | So. |
DT | 58 | Leterrius Walton | 6-5 | 300 | Sr. |
DT | 52 | Jabari Dean | 6-2 | 295 | So. |
DE | 2 | Blake Serpa | 6-3 | 255 | Jr. |
LB | 46 | Justin Cherocci | 6-0 | 231 | Sr. |
LB | 51 | Cody Lopez | 6-1 | 228 | Sr. |
CB | 4 | Brandon Greer | 6-1 | 203 | Jr. |
S | 29 | Jarret Chapman | 6-0 | 200 | Sr. |
S | 10 | Kevin King | 5-10 | 194 | Sr. |
S | 18 | Tony Annese | 6-1 | 205 | So. |
CB | 14 | Jason Wilson | 6-0 | 185 | Sr. |
P | 17 | Ron Coluzzi | 5-11 | 185 | So. |
Rustin Dodd’s pick: Kansas 17-10
The Jayhawks may need a masterful performance to escape with a victory against Central Michigan, which lost 40-3 last week to Syracuse. It’s early, but the KU offense doesn’t appear capable of putting up big numbers.
Rustin Dodd, rdodd@kcstar.com
This story was originally published September 18, 2014 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Kansas-Central Michigan college football preview."