Kansas football notebook

Ochoa: Jayhawks staying tight

An offensive line relies so much on camaraderie to stay effective, and sometimes personnel can affect it.

KU recently underwent a few shuffles, with Ryan Cantrell inserted at right guard and Anthony Collins getting more playing time at right tackle.

It hasn’t done anything to hinder the line’s chemistry, says center David Ochoa.

“They bring a fresh attitude, fresh legs and things of that nature,” Ochoa said. “They’re not new guys to our system. They’ve been here for a year and a half. I think they’re ready to play.”

Even Steven

Trying to figure out why KU is 4-4? A look at the stat sheet will provide answers.

For example, the Jayhawks have scored 149 points this season. Their opponents have scored 149 points, too.

Opponents have 135 first downs to KU’s 133. Opponents have averaged 31 minutes of possession per game, compared to KU’s 29. Both KU and its foe average 42 yards per punt and have missed four field goals this season.

Of course, the run-game stats are completely lopsided, even though KU hasn’t exactly been great on the ground. The Jayhawks have 11 rushing touchdowns, though, compared to one by opponents. That one was a scramble by Texas Tech quarterback Cody Hodges.

This, that

KU and Nebraska are meeting for the 100th time, the longest uninterrupted series in NCAA Division I-A history. … junior Charles Gordon needs three punt-return yards to move into a tie for eighth place in Big 12 Conference history. Former Texas A&M return man and current Kansas City Chiefs standout Dante Hall (943 career yards) is three ahead of Gordon. … The Jayhawks’ 13-point effort in a victory against Missouri last week was the fewest Kansas has scored in a victory since beating Oklahoma State, 13-6, in 1993. … KU hasn’t started 5-0 at home since the 1995 season.