Kansas offensive coordinator Rob Likens says head coach David Beaty has created an atmosphere that allows the Jayhawks to remain positive through Year 1 of a difficult rebuilding progress which, so far, has not produced a win.

“If he was up here cussing these kids out every day, telling them how bad they are, ‘You guys are 0-and-whatever,’ could you imagine what that environment would be like?” Likens asked. “These kids are coming over here every day with a smile on their face. It’s tough on all of us. It’s tough on everybody in this building. But Coach Beaty works extremely hard creating an environment where everybody still enjoys coming to work, being around each other.”

On the field Saturday, against West Virginia, KU’s offense will have to navigate against the Mountaineers’ 3-3-5 defense. Likens says it often appears there are a lot of players in the box when facing that scheme but KU has ways to counter it.