Kansas knows K-State defense will be tough to crack

Earlier this week, Kansas co-offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau spent time watching film of Kansas State’s defense. As the footage played out on the screen in front of him, Kiesau searched for the right word to describe the Wildcats’ defensive unit. He never quite found it.

“They don’t do much,” Kiesau said, “and it’s a compliment to them. They just are very poised.”

In other words: the Kansas State defense is simple, bland and very good.

“They’re very well coached,” Kiesau said. “They play a couple fronts, a couple coverages and they’re really good at it. And then you add their intensity and their effort to it, and that’s what makes them (good).”

On Saturday afternoon, the Jayhawks (3-8) will attempt to solve Kansas State’s vaunted defense, which ranks tied for first in the Big 12 in scoring defense (21 points per game) and third in total defense (355.4 yards). The Jayhawks are coming off a 44-7 loss at Oklahoma, a disappointing performance on a cold and rainy afternoon that featured zero points from the KU offense.

Kiesau is hoping to remedy that as Kansas closes out the season. The Jayhawks will not play a bowl game for a sixth straight season, so for a group of seniors, this will be it.

“It’s going to be emotional,” said senior left tackle Pat Lewandowski. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. When that clock hits zero, I don’t know. I might break down.”

For Kansas, the offensive line could be a key as the Jayhawks try to ignite a dormant rushing attack. Last week, the Jayhawks were limited to 19 yards rushing on 36 carries. Kiesau called the combination of Oklahoma’s defense — and the miserable conditions — the “perfect storm.” The passing game, which had emerged under junior quarterback Michael Cummings, was a non-factor. And the Jayhawks were dominated in the trenches. From a purely physical standpoint, Kansas State presents a better matchup for the Jayhawks’ offensive line.

“I think we still have the ability to run the ball,” Kiesau said. “It’s just the last couple opponents, it really hasn’t matched up for us.”

This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Kansas knows K-State defense will be tough to crack."