Kansas Jayhawks 2010 Review

2010 Record: 3-9 (1-7), 6th Big 12 North
2010 Bowl Game: None
2010 Schedule/Results: North Dakota State, L 6-3, Georgia Tech, W 28-25, @ Southern Miss, L 31-16, New Mexico State, W 42-16, @ Baylor, L 55-7, Kansas State, L 59-7, Texas A&M, L 45-10, @ Iowa State, L 28-16, Colorado, W 52-45, @ Nebraska, L 20-3, Oklahoma State, L 48-14, @ Missouri, L 35-7

REVIEW

     The first season under Turner Gill as an abject disaster that started off with a humiliating loss to North Dakota State at home. It never got much better from there, but you have to remember that Gill was taking over a team in ruins after the forced departure of former coach Mark Mangino. Expectations were not very high, and were not really met, but then again, what were we to expect? The hiring of Gill was met with excitement by some, and was met by skepticism from others, as Gill only managed one winning season at Buffalo before coming to Lawrence.
     The offense was a mess, and the Jayhawks never found a suitable replacement for the departed Todd Reesing. Jordan Webb played in 9 games as a freshman, but had many struggles. Webb passed for 1195 yards and 7 TDs, but was picked 8 times. Junior Quinn Meacham Passed for 554 yards in 6 games, and was the only real competition. Webb should be the frontrunner to start in the fall, unless Gill can find another passer to come in and kickstart this mess. In all, the passing game only generated 161.8 yards per game.
     Another freshman, James Sims, carried most of the load at RB, as it seemed that Gill is trying to start completely over with a whole new crop of kids. Sims was credible, as he rushed for 742 yards and 9 TDs, far more than anyone else in the backfield. Sims could have real breakout potential in 2011.
     Gill did not go so young at receiver, as it was junior Daymond Patterson, a converted DB, that led the way with a line of 60-487-2. Patterson only averaged 8.12 yards per catch, as the offense was held by a very limiting leash with such a young QB. Senior Jonathon Wilson was the second most targeted receiver with a line of 38-387-2. TE Tim Biere led the team with 4TD receptions.
     The defense was a straight up disaster. KU's defensive unit gave up 427.7 yards per game in 2010, 222.5 yards passing per game, and 205.2 yards rushing. The rushing number was especially disturbing for the coaching staff. Steven Johnson ld the team in tackles with 95, while Justin Springer (85), and Chris Harris (81) were the only other defensive players to break 80 tackles.
     Jake Laptad, a senior in 2010, led the team with 8.5 TFLs, but the Jayhawks gave up 11 more TFLs to their opponents than KU took, losing that battle 66-55. Laptad and Springer were the top two placers here, and both have moved on now. Laptad also led the team with 4.5 sacks, but nobody else had more than 1.5 sacks on the season, something that absolutely has to get fixed.
     Another freshman, Tyler Patmon, led the secondary in pass breakups with 10. With the secondary being led by a freshman playmaker, the Jayhawks look to be very young again across the board, but there is talent building. Patmon and Isaiah Barfield each had 2 picks as well, but nobody had more.
     Jacob Branstetter was basically bad at PK in 2010, but he has moved on after the season, He only was good for 8 of 14 FGs on the season, a number that his replacement should not find difficult to improve. Alonos Rojas was a solid punter, but he too moves on. Rojas averaged 42.41 yards per punt in 2010, a number that was relied on heavily by a slogged down offense, and a porous defense.

FINAL NOTES

The Jayhawks and Turner Gill have a long way to go to even get close to competitive after a horrid 3 win season. Mark Mangino did Gill no favors with the state that he left this team in when he was forced out, and you have to believe that it was fairly easy to force him out when you saw what was coming up with this roster. Gill will be a fresh breath of air to KU administrators and boosters alike compared to the chaffing persona of Mangino, who cared more about starting fights than mending bridges and building strong relationships. Gill went young this season at several positions, something that may pay off later, but not necessarily in 2011. Look for more building, but there is some talent avilable, Gill just has to coach and develop it, and build onto the roster from wherever he can. It won't be easy, but after coaching at Buffalo, he has certainly seen worse.