David Winbush might as well stitch a bullseye over his jersey No. 22 on Saturday.
Everybody knows Winbush, Kansas University's 5-foot-7, 180-pound junior running back, is a marked man entering the Kansas-Colorado college football game (2:30 p.m., Folsom Field, Channels 9, 49).
"They are going to come after me with all they've got," Winbush said of CU's defenders.
Winbush scorched the Buffs for 268 yards on 23 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Jayhawks' surprising 33-17 win over Colorado last October at Memorial Stadium.
His rushing total was the fourth-best single-game mark in KU history and a career best for Winbush.
"I am preparing myself for it," Winbush said. "I'm going to pad up a little extra this game. We're playing on grass. I'm glad about that."
It's possible the Buffs' defenders will key on Winbush while trying to avoid a repeat of last year.
"One of the (Colorado) reporters told me they (Buffs) were talking about me while they were taking their pads off after the San Jose State game," Winbush said.
CU crushed San Jose State, 63-35, last week after a horrendous 41-14 season-opening loss to rival Colorado State.
"I am expecting the worst from the fans. Their players were helping me up after plays last year. I know they will play clean, physical football. But they are going to try to stop me," Winbush said.
He's heard the adage it's always more difficult to punish a team a second time.
"I know they'll be psyched up, pumped up," Winbush said. "One thing I do have this year is I have Mitch (Bowles, senior running back) to take some of the pressure off me. He'll take some of the hits I took the last time."
Bowles was injured and did not play in last year's game against the Buffs.
Winbush said last year's performance was one he'll remember a long time.
"It was a magic night that night in October. Hopefully I can repeat it," Winbush said. "I will not ride off that game last year. I can't say, 'Well I did it last year I can do it this year too.' After a good week of practice, I hope to do as well as I did or better."
A year ago entering the CU contest, Winbush was coming off a 14-carry, 39-yard effort in a 41-0 loss to Nebraska. This year, he's following last week's 14-carry, 134-yard effort in the Jayhawks' 71-14 rout of Cal State Northridge. WInbush gained 77 yards on 16 carries in a 48-13 opening loss at Notre Dame.
"Going into that game I knew I had to perform well. I didn't expect to come out with 268 yards and three touchdowns," Winbush said. "Last year I had a slow start and busted out (against CU). This year I started out well. I don't want this to be a downfall."
KU's Jay Alexander attempted just 18 passes in that game against CU.
"David did it to them last year. He could easily do it again he has so much potential," KU receiver Michael Chandler said. "They may try to stop David and Mitch. If they do, it opens it up for the wide outs. We have two quarterbacks playing well right now. We have a lot of great athletes out there."
The Jayhawks also have incentive. They've been tagged 17-point underdogs.
"They may overlook us," Winbush said. "People will wonder if we can do it again or they'll say, 'The Buffaloes are gonna get payback.'''
-- Gary Bedore's phone number is 832-7186. His e-mail address is gbedore@ljworld.com
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