Jim Zebrowski on the QB run game, preparing for Cincinnati’s front

Kansas’ offense put together a strong performance against West Virginia, rushing for 242 yards after tallying just 31 in its previous game against Missouri. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski met with the media on Tuesday, discussing how using Daniels in the run game helped open things up. He also discussed Cincinnati’s three-down front and the progression of the offensive line.

Using Daniels in the run game opens rest of run game

Daniels only had five carries against West Virginia but they were all productive, finishing with 69 yards on the ground. The Mountaineers dropped a lot of defenders into coverage, opening up space for Daniels to run. Zebrowski said Daniels became his own check-down.

“They kept playing some really multiple coverage on the back end but then they didn’t really take care of him,” Daniels said. “So if you’re dropping seven or eight people and trying to cover everybody well, then the quarterback becomes your check down. I always tell the guy, ‘you become the check down.’”

After scoring on their opening drive, the Jayhawks struggled to get their run game and offense going consistently. A pair of big gains on quarterback draws helped Kansas hit a field goal to take a 17-3 lead into the half. Zebrowski thought those runs opened up the run game and get the offense rolling.

“A couple of those quarterback draws, escapes were huge,” Zebrowski said. “It kind of got them having to do some different things. Then we got some tempo modes and got rolling. So it’s huge. I think [Daniels’ running] was a huge part.”

While Daniels is a threat with his legs, Kansas ultimately has to have him stay healthy. Zebrowski trusts Daniels’ decision making and doesn’t want him to become a cautious runner.

“He does have the green light,” Zebrowski said. “You start telling kids to be cautious to run, they actually run cautious, if that makes sense. They kind of hold back. You just gotta throw caution to the wind and say, ‘hey, you’re doing a great job, just go play what you do.’ Make great decisions, but believe and trust yourself and go. Thankfully, it’s been good so far.”

Cincinnati’s front similar in scheme to Iowa State and Kansas State

While West Virginia played some three-man fronts last week, its defense showed more multiple fronts than what the Jayhawks will see this week. Zebrowski compared the Bearcats’ defense to other three-man fronts in the Big 12 like Iowa State and Kansas State.

“Cincinnati is more Iowa State-like and K-State-like in terms of consistently a three-down team,” Zebrowski said. “West Virginia is very multiple. They go three, they go four, they go under, they go all these different fronts. Cincinnati’s more of that Iowa State three-high safety structure. Maybe the ends are a little wider, like 5 techniques instead of 4-i. You’ll see more of that type of front with multiple pressures.”

Cincinnati’s front starts with All-Big 12 First Team defensive tackle Dontay Corleone. He’s dealt with some injury, only playing 10 snaps against Bowling Green and missing the last game against Northwestern State and is reported to be questionable this week. Zebrowski said he’s physical and what you want out of a guy up front.

“He’s good, strong, physical, hard to move. Like he’s a tough player,” Zebrowski said. “So yeah, we’ll find out, I guess come game day. But he’s really good. He’s physical. He’s what you want– physical and strong and tough and hard to block.”

Zebrowski thought offensive line improved its physicality against West Virginia

Like Lance Leipold, Zebrowski thought the offensive line’s play improved against West Virginia. He thought the Jayhawks were able to get downhill as the game got going and did a better job setting the line of scrimmage.

“I think it was good to see us more physical. We got downhill a little bit more against West Virginia as that game got going,” Zebrowski said. “Daryl [Agpalsa] always talks about displacing the line of scrimmage, and we did more of that. Still need more, but that’s who we want to be. I think it was good to see the improvement as the game progressed.”

Zebrowski mentioned Syracuse transfer Enrique Cruz Jr. as someone who “shined a little bit.” He said Cruz has improved weekly and the offense has clicked, allowing him to play free and fast.

“I thought he played really well this last game,” Zebrowski said. “Daryl said it to us, one of our mottos offensively. He said he feels like that kid’s playing free and fast. It’s all clicked in the offense. A new scheme and it just all started to make sense to him.”