Mike Gundy breaks down challenge of preparing for Kansas' quarterback situation
Kansas has had the benefit of continuing to stay on a roll even through rotating a pair of quarterbacks. That’s a negative for Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State, though, as they try to prepare to defend the Jayhawks this weekend.
Gundy assessed Kansas’ quarterback position during his press conference on Monday. He said that both players are a challenge but that, at the moment, the Cowboys are going to have to put more of their attention on Jason Bean as Jalon Daniels hasn’t played in the last two games.
“We have to prepare for Bean. We have to prepare for him,” said Gundy. “I don’t know what’s going on with Jalon Daniels but he has not been out there in a couple weeks.”
“I don’t know that they change a lot when he’s in there. They’re going to do the same stuff, in my opinion,” Gundy said. “Now, he might bring a few things to the table differently. But we have to prepare for the guy that has been out there the last three weeks or whatever.”
Daniels, the usual QB1 for the Jayhawks, has appeared in half of their games this season. He has been great when he has played with 705 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception on 74.7% completion in three wins. However, a shoulder injury to start the year and a back injury as of late have limited him this fall.
That has left Bean to step up in Kansas’ other three games. With a 2-1 record, he has posted 503 yards, four touchdowns, and no picks on a 62.7% completion rate in a step up from his reserve role.
The ‘Pokes are going to have to be ready for anything with the Top-25 offense of No. 23 Kansas coming to town. Still, based on what he knows, Gundy is prepping more for Bean and will sort their game plan out later if Daniels is indeed available for the Jayhawks.
Gundy confirms Alan Bowman will start at quarterback vs. Kansas
Coming out of Oklahoma State‘s bye week, Mike Gundy had a decision to make. A starting quarterback needed to be named heading into Kansas State. Alan Bowman wound up being the decision and it paid off as the veteran led the Cowboys to a huge win on Friday night in Stillwater.
Next up on the schedule is Kansas and Gundy does not have any plans to make a quarterback switch. He said Bowman will be the guy against the Jayhawks, even if there has not been a discussion between him and the quarterbacks.
“Yes,” Gundy said when asked if Bowman is his starter. “I haven’t talked to anybody about it but I would venture to say yes.”
Something clicked for Bowman and Oklahoma State against Kansas State. They scored a season-high 29 points in the win. Bowman did not have the most accurate day, completing just 19 of his 35 pass attempts. However, the 235 yards helped complement what was an effective night running the ball.
A veteran with experience at Texas Tech and Michigan, Bowman could be the presence the Cowboys needed all along.