The Blame Game

Source: KU Sports

Kansas held a 24-13 lead late against the Rice Owls. Each unit (offense, defense, and special teams) had a chance to finish off the game. None of the units did, and Kansas lost, 25-24. On Saturday, Kansas led Northern Illinois on the road 23-13 in the fourth quarter, and again, had the opportunity to win the game via offense, defense, or special teams, but didn't, losing 30-23. At any and every level, from pee-wee to the NFL, when a team blows a fourth quarter lead, whether we'd like to or not, as humans, we look for someone to blame. Kansas has blown two in just four games. I am human. Therefore, I will spend this blog trying to place the blame on somebody. Who is the goat?
So I will start my narrative midway through the third quarter. The arraignment will soon follow.

Kansas trailed Northern Illinois at the half 13-10, and on the first Kansas possession of the third frame, the Jayhawks orchestrated a 14 play, 71 yard touchdown drive, that took 6:10 seconds. James Sims capped off the drive with a 1 yard plunge into the end-zone. The offense did their job to take the lead.

The two teams traded a few scorless possessions, and early in the fourth quarter, from the NIU 49, Huskie quarterback Jordan Lynch was picked off by KU's Tyler Patmon, who took the ball to the house, untouched. Kansas led NIU 23-13 on their own turf. The defense did their job to protect and extend the lead.

Kansas was flagged for a holding penalty on the extra point, and while Doherty made the first attempt, he missed the one that counted. Minus one for the special teams.

On the ensuing kickoff, KU's Nick Prolago, fighting a strong sidewind, couldn't keep the ball from going out of bounds. NIU took over on their 35 yard-line, and on the first play from scrimmage, scored on a 65 yard Tim Tebow type draw-pop throw from Lynch to Martel Moore. As a pretty seasoned KU football fan, I knew that Kansas was going to lose. But, I figured I could stand at most another 13 or so minutes of torture. 13 minutes is nothing compared to what we have been through of late. It's kind of like those bad, cartoon re-runs that you find yourself watching on Saturday mornings. You know the lame plot, the uninteresting conflict, the predictable resolution, and the cheesy ending, and you hate every minute of it, but you can't force yourself to turn it off. Anyways, minus two for the special teams and minus 1 for the defense.

Source: KU Sports

On KU's next possession, probably the most influential possession of the game, they drove the ball deep into NIU territory, but surrendered two negative plays, after having the ball 1st and 10 at the NIU 22. A negative rush by James Sims, made it 2 and 11, and two plays later, Dayne Crist was sacked for a loss of 6 yards, making a 4th and 17 at the NIU 29. The kicking game sucks, so Kansas was forced to go for a 4th and 17 (we will dock the special teams at least a half point for that), but somehow someway, Kale Pick broke free in the NIU end-zone. Kansas should have reclaimed a 10 point lead, 30-20, but Dayne Crist air-mailed the pass. It's inexplicable. Minus 3 for Dayne Crist.

NIU took over and promptly drove the field with little resistance. Kansas did force a field goal, and NIU tied the game 23-23 from 44 yards out. So, yes, let me repeat myself, Kansas missed an extra point, and opted to GO FOR IT ON A 4th AND @#**$@&# 17, while MAC POWERHOUSE NIU NAILED A 44 yard field goal???? Minus 1 and 1/2 for the defense.

Kansas would have easily its worst possession of the season during one of the most critical stages of Saturday's game. Taking over the football at their own 24, Crist threw behind a wide-open Mike Ragone across the middle, Tony Pierson was stuffed because of no push from the offensive line, and Crist took a 7 yard sack because he was too indecisive with what little time his offensive line gave him. Kansas punted 35 yards to the NIU 47. Minus 5 for Dayne Crist, minus 3 for the offensive line, and minus 3 for the special teams.

NIU marched straight up the field for what wind up being the deciding touchdown. The Kansas defense could have laid down for all I knew. They were like hot butter. Minus 3 and 1/2 for the defense.

Kansas went 3 and out. Dayne Crist is awful. Minus 7 for Dayne Crist and minus 4 for the offensive line.

Kansas held NIU, forcing a three and out! Tack on 1/2 a point for that effort. Net: minus 3.

Kansas went 4 and out. Dayne Crist is awful. Minus 9 for Dayne Crist and minus 6 for the offensive line.

Game ends. 1-3 on the season. Could possibly be 3-1. Might not win another game for the better part of a calendar year.

This is probably going to be a polarizing subject, but why not? Let's have some fun. Dayne Crist or Jordan Webb?

Through 4 games this season, Dayne Crist is 62 for 129 (a completion percentage of 48.1 percent) for 763 yards (5.9 per attempt) for 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Through 4 games this season with Colorado, Jordan Webb is 68 for 120 (a completion percentage of 56.7 percent) for 777 yards (6.5 per attempt) for 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Not to mention he has 2 rushing touchdowns to his credit, a comeback win over Washington State and Mike Leach, and a Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week award to his credit.

Through the first 4 games last season with Kansas, Jordan Webb was  61 for 89 (a completion percentage of 68.5 percent) for 877 yards (9.9 per attempt) for 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Dayne Crist has next to zero touch on his football. Yes, it spirals, it's tight, and it's usually a rocket, but his accuracy is not going to cut it. Jordan Webb had an underrated arm (in terms of strength) and he was an accurate quarterback for sure. Aside from the recent emergence of Andrew Turzilli, Crist doesn't have many true deep threats to work with. Instead, he is left with a bunch of slots for dinks and dunks. Problem is, Crist can't hit 5 yard out patterns for beans. This will upset a lot of people, but Kansas, really with no hesitation on my part in saying this, is 3-1 AT LEAST with Jordan Webb calling the shots.

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Predicted: Kansas 41, NIU 31

Actual: Kansas 23, NIU 30

On the Season: 1-1 (Kansas -25; Opponents -3)

Next week: Kansas State 31, Kansas 17