Behind Enemy Lines: Kansas football beat writer Jesse Newell talks CMU game
Central Michigan Life's Evan Petzold spoke with Kansas beat writer Jesse Newell from The Kansas City Star to preview CMU's 3 p.m. Sept. 8 home opener against the Jayhawks.
Kansas finished the 2017 season with a 1-11 record. Head coach David Beaty's group is 0-1 to start 2018, losing to FCS opponent Nicholls State.
Newell discussed starting quarterback Peyton Bender, star running back Khalil Herbert and the offensive/defensive line woes in this exclusive Q&A.
Central Michigan Life: What is there to know about the 2018 Kansas football team?
Jesse Newell: "The program is in a state of turmoil. Coach David Beaty came into the season at the top of most hot-seat lists in the nation because he had a 3-33 record in three seasons at Kansas. There was an expectation that he needed to win immediately in the nonconference. Obviously, the team lost against FCS opponent Nicholls State in Week 1.
"The new athletic director, Jeff Long, was hired to help turn around the football program which has had problems for the last nine years. It's one of the worst, if not the worst, Power Five programs in the nation. Everyone understood the coaching staff and players needed to see early success and it wasn't a very good first result for them."
If Kansas is going to win against CMU, how will the Jayhawks do it?
Newell: "The biggest problem Kansas has had in the past years is quarterback consistency, especially under David Beaty. Even this year, they started Peyton Bender and rotated in Miles Kendrick, who is a JUCO transfer. Kendrick is more mobile and gets outside the pocket. If the quarterback position plays well, it can make up for a lot of ills. If it doesn't play well, and that's been the case for KU, then the team really struggles.
"The offensive and defensive line both had a bad game against Nicholls State last week. They looked overwhelmed by an FCS opponent.
"If Bender can't get into a rhythm, it sounds like Beaty will put Kendrick in for a few more possessions this time. Whatever they do, they need more quarterback production."
After a 45-27 win for CMU in 2017, what are the Kansas players saying about this season's matchup?
Newell: "Central Michigan is not a team where KU is going to walk in and think they are much better. That's not the case after quarterback Shane Morris throws for 467 yards and five touchdowns in a win just a year ago. I know Morris isn't there anymore, but it makes you understand the type of program that CMU has right now. So much of the focus for KU this week is on themselves.
"Last week, the athletic director released a statement because there were so many reporters asking him about the football program and David Beaty's future. His statement said he'd continue his evaluations. It's not that KU isn't focused on CMU, but I think there's just so much focus on themselves that there isn't a ton of talk about the upcoming opponent. A lot of the talk is trying to get problems fixed."
What makes Kansas starting running back Khalil Herbert special?
Newell: "He's just had production. He has a little bit of speed and a little bit of power. He had over 250 rushing yards against West Virginia last year. It was a top 10 rushing performance in the nation. KU rarely has a player with an individual performance like that, so it really opens your eyes. KU also has Dom Williams, who is a special back. He finished top 10 all-time rushing in Texas High School football history.
"One of the strengths of Kansas is the running backs. I would expect lots of carries from Herbert and Williams against CMU."
Where is Kansas' specific weakness on the field?
Newell: "Based off one week, the biggest problem was glaring mistakes that cost them the game. Three KU's offensive linemen came to the program after spring ball was over. They have a transfer from Houston, California and Ohio State. All of those guys showed up late, so it's an experiment to put together an offensive line in less than four months. They talked that it was a better unit, but it did not show in the first game.
"The biggest disappointment was Alex Fontana, the center. He had at least four awful snaps that led to dead plays. The defensive line and linebackers didn't have a great game either and struggled when Nicholls State went to a hurry-up offense."
Final score prediction?
Newell: Kansas 31, Central Michigan 27
