David Hurst's first career start was not something he'll tell the grandkids.
Hurst, Kansas University's 6-foot-3, 245-pound red-shirt freshman from Austin, Texas, started against Colorado, played only a handful of series and mostly watched, helpless, as the Jayhawks floundered to a 51-17 loss at CU.
"I was excited last week, but I'm going to consider this week my first start," Hurst said, referring to this evening's 6 p.m. kickoff against San Diego State. "We're going to be a whole different team this week than we were last week."
They'll be different at tight end, at least. Jason Gulley, a starter until he missed most of last week's practices with recurring knee problems, played against CU, but the pain was so bad he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday and will miss at least today's game.
That leaves Hurst -- with three games experience and one career catch -- plus fifth-year senior Sean McDermott, who is best known for his long-snapping duties, to fill the void.
"It's unfortunate," Hurst said, "but Jason'll be back. It's not as bad as it could have been. It gives me a chance to start and come in and show what I can do."
For Kansas to beat SDSU, Hurst likely will have to show plenty in two areas.
First, as an extension of the offensive line, he'll have to hold his own against an aggressive, blitzing defensive front.
And as a pass-catcher, Hurst might be called upon to help Kansas counter a defense that has allowed about 90 rushing yards per game.
"I thought I was prepared for Notre Dame and Cal State and Colorado," Hurst said. "But this game is worrying me. Their schemes are more tricky than anyone we've seen. They give you a lot of different fronts, and they've got great athletes. They do a lot of moving around. They'll throw a lot at us.
"We'll just have to go out and play our game. I think I could be a big key for our running game. As far as the passing game " well, hopefully we'll get involved more."
To date, the tight ends haven't been involved much in the passing game. Last year, tight ends accounted for 10 of KU's 133 receptions. This year, tight ends have made four of 53 receptions.
"In the Colorado game, (fullback) Moran Norris and I were talking," Hurst said. "We were running all these four-wide (receiver) sets, and we were, like, 'Are we ever going to play?' But that's OK. There are a lot of good athletes at the other positions. We'd just like to show what we can do."
The rest of Kansas' offense feels the same way. The Jayhawks managed a meager 172 total yards and nine first downs against the Buffs.
"We have a lot to prove," Hurst said. "Hopefully, we'll have a breakout game. We're a lot better than we showed at Colorado. I got on the Internet and I read all those fan things. They're really getting on us. It looked bad, but it wasn't that bad. We're putting in all sorts of things. Hopefully, we can show everybody we can do it and get our faithful back, because without them we're nothing."
Kansas desperately needs a win today, and KU coach Terry Allen knows it.
What concerns him is that SDSU, a bowl team a year ago, well could be one of the best teams nobody's heard of.
"We play a very good no-name team," Allen said. "That's a little more pressure on us. But more important to me is, our confidence level was at an all-time low in Boulder. We need some success so our confidence doesn't go any lower."
Hurst's confidence isn't low. He's certain he can be a valuable part of Kansas' offense.
Heck, he might even get a minute or two in the spotlight.
"I like that stuff, but I feel I have to earn it," Hurst said. "I haven't earned anything yet. I want to be one of those guys in the locker room after a game with eight cameras in his face, talking about how he helped us win the game. That'd be nice. But as long as we're winning, I'm not going to say a word."
-- Andrew Hartsock's phone number is 832-7216. His e-mail address is ahartsock@ljworld.com.
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