Charlie Weis implements major changes

Even after Late Night in the Phog and a high profile basketball commitment from Kelly Oubre, the University of Kansas’ football team seems washed away. However, that’s far from the case.

After the 54-16 rout from Texas Tech, it was obvious to the coaching staff that changes needed to be made.

“This is a large volume of changes,” said Weis at Tuesday’s press conference. “We’re kinda running out of alternatives. We have to start settling down into what we’re going to be.”

“Large volume” puts the changes lightly, especially on offense.

Offensive Changes

• LT: Pat Lewandowski
• C: Gavin Howard
• RT: Aslam Sterling
• F: Brandon Bourbon
• WR: Andrew Turzilli
• WR: Josh Ford
• TE: Jimmay Mundine

Bourbon is taking over the starting position at fullback due to the concussion injury that Tony Pierson sustained after making a 39-yard run into the red zone and eventually onto the track.

Weis commented on the situation: “He hit his shoulder on the track, he didn’t hit his head.”

Weis also was confident that Pierson would be back on the field sometime, but he wasn’t sure when.

Defensive Changes

• WLB: Jake Love

Love is taking over the starting position that Samson Faifili previously held at WLB because “he looks like he’s ways away from playing. He’s a potential medical redshirt,” commented Weis. He hinted more at the potential medical redshirt rather than in the other direction.

With the changes in depth chart and injuries in mind, the Jayhawks aren’t down and out for the count. There’s a solid two months left of the season to make progress.

“Newsflash, we’ve only played 4 games, we’ve got 8 games to go,” Weis said.

This week, Kansas takes on the TCU Horned Frogs of Fort Worth, TX. It’s their homecoming game. Fortunately for the Jayhawks, they’re playing at a time they have become very familiar with… 11 a.m. Kansas has played Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech at that time so far this season. Fortunately for TCU is also getting accustomed to early games. Four of their past five games have been 11 a.m. kick offs.

TCU has a record of 2-3 with those losses being against ranked teams: LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. In their two wins, the Horned Frogs have outscored their opponents 86-34.

Don’t worry Jayhawk fans. That statistic is one of the only daunting statistics that favors the Frogs. The leading scorer (aside from the kicker) for the Frogs, B.J. Catalon, has 222 yards with four touchdowns on the season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. James Sims for the Jayhawks matches up with 309 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.  On the defensive side of the ball, the Frogs’ leading tackler, Chris Hackett, has 35 total tackles, three tackles for loss and three interceptions. For Kansas, Ben Heeney leads the charge with 44 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

Kansas has the potential to break two streaks on the road on Saturday. Kansas hasn’t won a road game since September 12^th, 2009, with a victory against UTEP. The other streak that Kansas could break on Saturday is the Big 12 losing streak. The Jayhawks haven’t won a Big 12 game since November 6^th, 2010.

With the extensive changes the offense has put into place, anything is possible.