KU Defensive Coordinator Receives MCS Game Ball
Nov. 2, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas defensive coordinator Bill Young received a Master Coaches Survey game ball following KU’s 13-3 victory over Missouri on Oct. 29. Against the Tigers, Young’s nationally-ranked defensive unit held the Tigers to 180 total yards of offense, just one week after MU quarterback Brad Smith tallied 480 yards of total offense by himself against Nebraska.
Young, who is in his fourth season at Kansas, has seen the defense take significant steps over the last two seasons. Consider the following:
… In 2004, KU allowed an average of 345.5 total offensive yards per game — the lowest average since 1994. This season, the Jayhawks are allowing just 290.9 yards per contest.
… In 2004, the Jayhawk defense allowed an average of 117.6 rushing yards per game, the third-best average in school history, and the best since 1962. This season, the Jayhawks are allowing just 69.5 yards per game on the ground which would shatter the school-record of 109.2 rushing yards allowed per game set in 1948.
… In 2004, linebacker Nick Reid had 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage — tying for the seventh-best single-season total in Jayhawk history. This season, Reid already has 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage. In addition, senior defensive end Charlton Keith has added 15 TFLs of his own. As a team, KU has 75 tackles for loss in 2005.
… The Jayhawks allowed just 235 total points and 21.4 points per game in 2004 — the best numbers in each category since 1996. This season, KU is allowing just 18.6 points per game, the best average since the 1982 team allowed 16.8 points per contest.
… In 2004, KU’s defense led the Big 12 Conference with 27 takeaways, including eight fumble recoveries and a Big 12-best 19 interceptions. This season, the Jayhawks have collected six fumbles and intercepted the opposing quarterback nine times.
The Master Coaches Survey, an advisory poll comprised of 16 former college football coaches, includes 10 College Football Hall of Fame members and represents five national championships and over 2,900 all-time victories combined. Based on the MCS system, the voters review relevant game tapes following each week of competition, discuss the teams’ performances during a weekly conference call and then establish a ranking of the top 25 teams and vote on game ball winners. The results are released to the media each Wednesday afternoon and to the public on ESPN Classic’s Classic Now later in the evening.
