Texas Tech Using 2015 Game As Motivation For Kansas
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LUBBOCK (AP) - Kliff Kingsbury and his Texas Tech players are drawing on last year's close game at Kansas for motivation for the rematch Thursday night.
In the 30-20 win, the Red Raiders (2-1) offense was "unenergetic" and "a joke," the fourth-year coach said.
"They really brought it to us, they were way more physical and it showed on tape and on the field," Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. "It's something that we really looked at and are going to go out there and hopefully we can bring the physicality to them here at home."
The road has not been kind to the Jayhawks (1-2). The 43-7 loss at Memphis in their last outing was their 39th straight loss away from Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas coach David Beaty hopes to stop the program's winless skid but knows it won't be easy against the nation's second-leading offense (678.7 yards per game).
"Very dynamic, terrific quarterback," he said. "Guys out wide are very capable, very capable. They've got a couple of really good young running backs, really good running backs, so very difficult."
The Red Raiders are 16-1 against the Jayhawks. Here are some of keys to consider as Kansas and Texas Tech open their Big 12 schedule:
MAHOMES' TARGETS
Mahomes leads the Big 12 in passing and touchdowns (497.7 yards per game and 14 TDs) in large measure because he has many good receivers: Johnathan Giles (346 yards and five TDs), Cameron Batson (197 yards and three TDs) and RB Justin Stockton (191 and one TD). Mahomes has just two interceptions through three games, one fewer than the same time last season. "He has protected the ball well, he's been very accurate, and I think it's a credit to him, because he made it a priority," Kingsbury said.
TURNOVER TERRIBLES
The Jayhawks are having a rough time hanging on to the ball. After their first three games, they rank 125th in the nation is turnovers lost (11). They lost six fumbles at Memphis. "The last game was not a true statement of who they are as a football team," Kingsbury said. "It kind of got out of hand. But Coach Beaty, I know him very well. He does a good job motivating."
KINGSBURY AND BEATY
The two got to know one another when Kingsbury was at Houston and Beaty was at Rice, and they coached together at Texas A&M before each got head coaching gigs.
"He's very positive, energetic -- what you see is what you get," Kingsbury said. "And he's always got a smile on his face."
Beaty lauded Kingsbury for more than coaching.
"There's not five humans on the earth better than Kliff Kingsbury," he said. "You look at him and everybody sees this good-looking dude and handsome guy and they compare him to all these superstars. What you don't know about him is he's one of the finest men you've ever met."
KANSAS STANDOUT
Steven Sims Jr. is the Big 12's fifth best in receiving yards per game (84.3 yards) and nation's 12th best in yards per reception (23 yards). The sophomore from Houston has four TDs and 253 yards on 11 catches.
JAYHAWKS PSYCHE
It can be discouraging to lose two straight games this early in the season, a fact that Beaty tries to tend to.
"The truth is you always manage your psyche, whether you're winning or losing," he said. "It's the nature of our game. You don't get to go run and hide under a rock and cry. You deal with it, and you move forward."
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