Kansas Vs. South Dakota State Gameday Vitals

Inside 24 hours until gameday. Not a bad place to be. Cross of those last few items on your to do list at work and start distracting yourself with something truly important. Here's your gameday vitals for week one as Kansas hosts the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Kansas v South Dakota State
Date .....................................Sept. 1, 2012
Time ..........................................6:06 p.m.
Series Record ......................Kansas, 1-0
Television .......Jayhawk IMG TV Network
Livestream .....AT&T Jayhawk All-Access
Site ................................. Lawrence, Kan.
Venue ......................Memorial Stadium
Capacity .........................................50,071
Surface ...................................... FieldTurf
Live Stats ..................... kuathletics.com
Sirius Radio .........................................104

*****

Important Weather Report: Somebody say something about a hurricane?

All week there's been a hurricane named Isaac that has slowly churned through the gulf. That might seem like an insignificant piece of new for a football game in Kansas, but the trajectory for the remnants slowly shifted toward a possible brush with Lawrence Kansas on Saturday. The chance seems to be on the declining one moment, increasing the next, but keep an eye on rain. The good news is that regardless the weather is looking GREAT! Forcasted high on Saturday is 85 degrees, low on Saturday night right around 65. Chance of rain has fluctuated all week and sits at 30% this morning so we'll just have to wait and see if this storm picks up some momentum or misses Larryville altogether.

Injury Report: The big one to watch for SDSU is the possible injury to QB Austin Sumner. Yes the backup is said to be a serviceable and effective replacement. Yes the backup is a different type of player. Yes this could be gamesmanship. But if it's not, it matters.

On the Kansas side of the ball keep an eye on the right tackle position and any snaps we might see from Riley Spencer. That could be our first indication as to his health and where Gavin Howard truly sits in the rotation. Also watch for Anthony McDonald. It doesn't sound promising that he would play, but if all goes well could we possibly see him take a few snaps?

Opposing Coach

Coach Stiegelmeier has led the Jackrabbits to an 93-72 record (.563 winning percentage) as he begins his 16th
year at the helm of the program. SDSU has posted eight winning seasons in the last 10 years, including six of the
school's fi rst eight campaigns at the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) level. The Jackrabbits have had a winning record in 11 of Stiegelmeier's 15 years as head coach. The 2009 season proved to be a memorable one as Stiegelmeier led the Jackrabbits to their fi rst FCS playoff appearance and the program's fi rst postseason appearance in 30 years. During the 2007 season, SDSU claimed its fi rst conference title since 1963 by winning the Great West Football Conference championship. In leading SDSU to the GWFC title, Stiegelmeier was named conference coach of the year and was honored by the American Football Coaches Association as the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Region5 Coach of the Year.

SDSU Returning Statistical Leaders

Rushing:

Tyrel Kool - 535 Yards, 3.5 YPC Avg

Passing:

Austin Sumner - 2382 Yards, 16 TD's/9 INT's

Receiving:

Aaron Rollin - 906 yards, 14.3 ypc avg

Tackles:

Andy Mink - 75, 8 TFL, 6 Sacks

Ross Shafrath - 66

Last Meeting

Not that anyone will remember this, but if it happened Saturday we would. The last time these two teams met the Jayhawks won by 80 points. Yes 80, 86-6 was the final. Pretty solid showing for Kansas. Of course that was 1947 and the disparity was probably pretty significant. Win by 80 and Charlie Weis will be digging deep on his bench to find players to get in the game. Not going to happen.