Article about the KU freshman quarterback gettins his second start.
http://cjonline.com/sports/hawkzone...lis-will-start-ku-football-against-texas-tech
It starts like this:
Kansas freshman Ryan Willis will receive his second start at quarterback in Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, coach David Beaty confirmed Monday.
Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 158 yards with a touchdown and interception in Saturday’s 66-7 loss to Baylor.
“He didn’t play great, but I tell you what, for his first start, he did some really nice things,” Beaty said during Monday’s Big 12 teleconference. “I think for the most part, his team really rallied around him and they have confidence in him.”
Willis was best early, as he led KU on a 74-yard touchdown drive during the Jayhawks’ first possession. The final play was a 36-yard strike down the left sideline to Steven Sims.
“Ryan throws a nice deep ball. That’s probably one of his biggest strengths,” Beaty said. “He’s got a really strong arm, but he does have nice touch.”
The coach is still wanting more out of his freshman, though. KU has continued to struggle with big plays in the passing game, as it’s tied for 117th nationally with one 40-plus-yard reception this season. The Jayhawks also are one of just 23 teams nationally with no 50-plus-yard catch.
“The other day, we had some opportunities. We hit on one (long pass), and we didn’t hit on a few that we had opportunities to hit on,” Beaty said. “We need to hit on more of those.”
Without having the threat of deep throws, KU has continued to see defenses creep toward the line of scrimmage. That has affected the Jayhawks’ run game, as in the last three contests, KU has had 101 carries for 171 yards (1.7-yard average).
“Any time you throw the ball downfield, you’re blowing air in a defense. You’re putting distance between that second and third level of defenses,” Beaty said. “When you do that, that’s where big plays happen in the run game.”
Willis showed some personality after his touchdown throw, raising his hands toward the sky while wiggling his fingers toward his palms.
“That cat has no shortage of confidence,” Beaty said. “It was fun to see him go out there and have a lot of fun on Saturday.
“But like he said: ‘Coach, we’ve got to score some more points, and we’ve got to be more productive.’”
Gametime set — KU will play Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, the Big 12 announced Monday. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
The contest will end a string of four consecutive 11 a.m. starts for the Jayhawks.
http://cjonline.com/sports/hawkzone...lis-will-start-ku-football-against-texas-tech
It starts like this:
Kansas freshman Ryan Willis will receive his second start at quarterback in Saturday’s game against Texas Tech, coach David Beaty confirmed Monday.
Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 158 yards with a touchdown and interception in Saturday’s 66-7 loss to Baylor.
“He didn’t play great, but I tell you what, for his first start, he did some really nice things,” Beaty said during Monday’s Big 12 teleconference. “I think for the most part, his team really rallied around him and they have confidence in him.”
Willis was best early, as he led KU on a 74-yard touchdown drive during the Jayhawks’ first possession. The final play was a 36-yard strike down the left sideline to Steven Sims.
“Ryan throws a nice deep ball. That’s probably one of his biggest strengths,” Beaty said. “He’s got a really strong arm, but he does have nice touch.”
The coach is still wanting more out of his freshman, though. KU has continued to struggle with big plays in the passing game, as it’s tied for 117th nationally with one 40-plus-yard reception this season. The Jayhawks also are one of just 23 teams nationally with no 50-plus-yard catch.
“The other day, we had some opportunities. We hit on one (long pass), and we didn’t hit on a few that we had opportunities to hit on,” Beaty said. “We need to hit on more of those.”
Without having the threat of deep throws, KU has continued to see defenses creep toward the line of scrimmage. That has affected the Jayhawks’ run game, as in the last three contests, KU has had 101 carries for 171 yards (1.7-yard average).
“Any time you throw the ball downfield, you’re blowing air in a defense. You’re putting distance between that second and third level of defenses,” Beaty said. “When you do that, that’s where big plays happen in the run game.”
Willis showed some personality after his touchdown throw, raising his hands toward the sky while wiggling his fingers toward his palms.
“That cat has no shortage of confidence,” Beaty said. “It was fun to see him go out there and have a lot of fun on Saturday.
“But like he said: ‘Coach, we’ve got to score some more points, and we’ve got to be more productive.’”
Gametime set — KU will play Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, the Big 12 announced Monday. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
The contest will end a string of four consecutive 11 a.m. starts for the Jayhawks.
