Kansas Stays unbeaten… 43 to 28

Overall a solid game by both teams. Kansas came out in the second half much more prepared and fired up then Oklahoma State. Kansas looked solid on both sides of the ball. Their biggest problem was stopping Robinson and Savage; they had a field day against the front line of Kansas. A major sign of weakness, Kansas showed little strength getting off the ball and off the blocks. Between those Robinson and Savage, they averaged over 6.2 yards per carry. The holes were huge all night. If Oklahoma State would have stayed with that side of their game more, this could have been an upset. Instead the second half they came out unprepared and flat. Other than a couple of players, it seems they napped through half time and still came out tired. Also, it seems Oklahoma State was out coached in the second half. Much better decisions made on the Kansas side of the ball. Kansas though unlike any team this season thus far did win, which is more than many can say. Neither team made many mistakes, thus the top team came out victorious…

Kansas:

#3 Aqib Talib 6' 2.0" 193 4.45 CB 2009: OK I will admit the beginning of the game his nickname was Ginger. He was not able to get off any blocks and was out matched and ran over at the 2 yard line giving Oklahoma State TD. But this guy is fast, had a huge hit on Bowman knocking him out, a much need help to Kansas. It was not his size that did it, but the fact that he was running maybe faster than he ever had when they hit. Great speed running down Robinson on what might have been a long TD. He covered most his passes well. He needs some bulk, or better techniques on tackling with his size. Strengthen this guy up some, he will be interesting to watch next year. I will say by the end of the night I had my foot in my mouth thanks to him. GRADE: Positive

#35 Brandon McAnderson 5' 10.0" 235 0.00 FB 2008: Rushed 25 times for 142 yds., and 5 catches for 27 yards. Great evening for a fullback and solid speed also for a larger back. He had a great game, hit the holes well and was quick on his feet. This guy plays hard, no doubt about that. As a receiver, he has soft hands and caught a few tougher to get passes. He is a great all round full back in my eyes. He could use some more bulk, but with his agility and overall athletic ability, he will go far. GRADE: Very Positive

#86 Marcus Henry 6' 4.0" 210 0.00 WR 2008: Worst play of the game was missing a knee high key 3rd down pass at the start of the game. After that mental lapse, no issues at all from this guy. Caught 8, 199 yds., 3 tds. He had amazing speed and agility shown on an 82 yd TD catch. In the end zone, he had a great leaping grab in the corner for another TD, great hands, solid size and speed no doubt. Henry seemed to handle a few blocking assignment well, but nothing negative to say here. GRADE: Very Positive

#85 Derek Fine 6' 3.0" 250 0.00 TE 2008: First on special teams, he had 2 great tackles, and was near every play. Team player and fired up. He caught 5 passes for 27 yds. He hada very solid night blocking great techniques and stance. GRADE: Positive


#93 James McClinton 6' 1.0" 285 0.00 DT 2008: Did not see much of him until the second half, he was really ineffective, did nothing to stop the run or get off his blocks. GRADE: Negative

Oklahoma State:

#2 Roderick Johnson 6' 2.0" 255 0.00 LB 2008: Very little to tell here. Had a few solid tackles but did not shine in his position. Was not around for many plays, seemed a day late on most tackles, but had a few. GRADE: Negative

#12 Adarius Bowman 6' 4.0" 215 4.45 WR 2008: 4 catches for 22 yards… Knocked out of the game by Talib. Solid player though, good blocker, good agility and strength it seems. GRADE: Neutral.


#22 Dantrell Savage 5' 9.0" 195 4.45 HB 2008: Only issue, mistake stretching for first down with the ball someone under him, thus making it a live ball when he lost it. But he ran all over the Kansas defense last night. Solid back, wonderful agility, and was able to run through and break many tackles. He had 18 carries for 106 yds. I would say somewhat that he has hard hands when he dropped a pass. By far the shining star on the team that game, kept the momentum moving forward for Oklahoma State. GRADE: Positive

#13 Nathan Peterson 6' 2.0" 240 4.80 DE 2008: The little he played, he was blocked easily and they ran his way often. That side of the ball was weak, and he was one of the weak points. Just is not biog enough, lacks the necessary skills to get off a block. GRADE: Negative

#8 Donovan Woods 6' 2.0" 230 4.60 S 2008: Solid Safety, with some good speed. Made some good open field tackles and was hussling to many plays. He had a huge mental lapse and personal foul penalty shoving someone already out of bounds. He missed and interception opportunity but it was a tough pass thrown. GRADE: Neutral

Side Note:

LB # 40 from Kansas… Great game, he was every where it seemed in on most plays. Great hustle and a huge asset to the team on this win. Did not seem big enough to make it to the next level, but great showing…

Running him down? He has a amazing angle on him, and, if he didn't run him down, that'd be pretty bad. Robinson maybe runs a 4.75 on his best day. Plus, Robinson bulldozed through Talib on that play. Talib is lucky that one of his other defenders was pursuing from behind and wrapped up Robinson after Aqib got rocked. I think Aqib gets quite overrated. He is a rather big guy and suppose to be a physical CB, but I constantly see him getting pushed around by Wide Receivers, and them being able to shake the jam (key example, Maurice Purify. 2 of his 3 TD's came against Talib, one of them in the redzone where he just through Talib off him like a ragdoll).

Nice writeup! I get the feeling Kansas will get whipped by Oklahoma, and Hawaii will be the only undefeated team, and they will NOT deserve to be in the national title game.

Talib is a pure cover guy who has not played as well this season from what I have seen. He has loads of ability, but he needs to get stronger for sure, and stop reading his press clippings.

#40 is a stud...he's only a junior though, but if he declares, he could go second round. You don't get LBs that big who can move and diagnose the way he does.

Most of all I enjoyed watching number 40. He was everywhere and had solid hits, came off blocks nicely. A shining light for sure, the only one as the rest really were rean all over. Talib's head did swell conciderably after his hit that knocked out that guy, but just before that he was ran over at the 3.

Does Number 40 have a name?

I must assume that #40 to which we are 6'2.7" 251 lb RS Jr. ILB Mike Rivera who is a top 10 player at his position Nicholson, Maualuga, Laurinaitis, Lofton, Beckwith are likely to go before him. He is a hitter and I tough guy, I don't have a sense of his timed speed. Anybody have a 40 on him?

sorry copy/paste did not work

Well does not change the fact that he did run him down and I am sorry there is no doubting his speed. He does get manhandled by the receivers for sure some. But his speed should compensate some. But he will need to toughen up next year, egt off blocks, and refine his skills.

Could not find a 40 on him...

he will be intersting to watch next year