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Kansas Jayhawks

Return to bowls within striking distance

College Football: The New Century

'99: 5-7, 3-5 Big 12

Coach

Terry Allen (fourth season, 14-20; 89-46 overall)

Key offensive players

Dylen Smith, QB, Sr.
Versatile passing and running threat who is one of the Big 12's most explosive players.

David Winbush, TB, Sr.
More work as a receiver expected after battling ankle injuries last season. Winbush led the Jayhawks with 595 yards last year.

Moran Norris, FB, Sr.
Underrated blocking, receiving threat who improved markedly after switching from lineman to running back last season.

Key defensive players

Carl Nesmith, FS, Sr.
Intimidating hitter who rules the Jayhawk secondary.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Gale Sayers, B, 1962-64
"No one swiveled at full speed the way he did."

Brightest Moment: After losing twice earlier in the 1960 season to top-ranked teams, the Jayhawks made the most of their next chance with a 23-7 upset victory over arch-rival Missouri.

Lowest Moment: The Jayhawks were on the verge of an upset victory over Penn State in the '69 Orange Bowl after batting away a two-point conversion with 15 seconds remaining, but the play was nullified for 12-men-on-the field, and PSU scored on the re-try to win 15-14.

Nate Dwyer, NT, Jr.
Massive 300-pound run-stopper the only returning lineman with Division I-A starting experience.

Andrew LeClair, ILB, Jr.
KU's leading returning tackler (102 stops, two sacks) will battle to reclaim starting job after spring practice demotion.

Key newcomer

Tony Strickland, DE, Fr.
Redshirt will be counted on to bolster sagging Jayhawk pass rush after strong spring.

Throwback player

FS Carl Nesmith -- Any questions about the hitting skills of a player nicknamed "The Butcher?"

21st century player

KU's fastest receiver, Byron Gasaway, is gunning for a big return after missing last season with a medical redshirt.

Fast fact

KU offensive assistant coach Jay Johnson was the starting quarterback at Northern Iowa whom Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner backed up.

Outlook

The Jayhawks' strong 1999 finish gives Allen hope for the future. The Jayhawks have underrated offensive talent, particularly in the backfield with Smith, Norris and Winbush. Defensively, several junior-college prospects will get the first shot at shoring up the defensive front. An easier non-conference schedule (switching SMU for Notre Dame) will help. If Smith can continue his progress at the end of last year, the Jayhawks should challenge Colorado for third place and earn their first bowl berth under Allen.

-- Tim Griffin