photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas offensive lineman Larry Hughes (73) looks to fend off defensive end Anthony Olobia (56) during the Spring Game on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Memorial Stadium.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas offensive lineman Larry Hughes (73) looks to fend off defensive end Anthony Olobia (56) during the Spring Game on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Memorial Stadium.

Slow growth tends to equate to real growth even though it can be frustrating for fans of the Kansas football program who have endured seven consecutive seasons of three or fewer victories.

Two statistical indicators will be worth watching to see if the Jayhawks are in the midst of a significant step forward. Track yards per rush for the Kansas offense and for the defense.

KU has finished in the top 90 in yards per carry just once in the past seven seasons. That was in 2012, when Mark Mangino holdovers Trevor Marrongelli, Duane Zlatnik and Tanner Hawkinson were all returning starters on the offensive line, all in their fifth seasons in the program.

Since that year, the O-line has lacked stability and in many cases talent. Things are beginning to stabilize up front, although the line still appears to be a year away.

KU has finished in the top 100 against the run in yards per attempt just once in the past seven seasons, placing 92nd in 2013.

The keys to performing better against the run lie in the rotation of defensive tackles doing a better job of occupying blockers — Daniel Wise can’t do it alone — and the linebackers doing a better job of shedding blockers to make their tackles closer to the line of scrimmage.

Depth at D-tackle and linebacker should be better this season.

A look at how Kansas has done running the ball and defending the run in the past seven seasons during which the Jayhawks have averaged a 2-10 record.

Rushing offense

Year (Coach): (Yards per rush average)

2016 (David Beaty II): 113 (3.53)

2015 (Beaty I): 126 (3.04)

2014 (Charlie Weis III): 121 (3.12)

2013 (Weis II): 97 (3.73)

2012 (Weis I): 49 (4.55)

2011 (Turner Gill II): 95 (3.52)

2010 (Gill I): 103 (3.44)

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas defensive tackle Daniel Wise (96) looks to bring down Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson (32) during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 at Memorial Stadium.

Rushing defense

Year (Coach): Rank (Yards per rush average)

2016 (Beaty II): 5.17 (103)

2015 (Beaty I): 5.67 (123)

2014 (Weis III): 5.40 (117)

2013 (Weis II): 4.72 (92)

2012 (Weis I): 5.22 (114)

2011 (Gill II): 5.83 (120, last)

2010 (Gill I): 5.01 (105)