Trey Lathan ready to face former team on Saturday
When Trey Lathan transferred from West Virginia to KU this offseason, he knew the day would come when he’d face his former team. That moment arrives on Saturday as the Jayhawks open Big 12 play against the Mountaineers, a matchup that brings back plenty of familiarity for the KU linebacker.
Lathan admitted that while the emotions may grow more on game day, his focus remains on treating it like any other opponent.
“It kind of really didn’t hit me,” Lathan said. “I guess it’ll hit me on game day, but, you know, they’re just another team on our schedule that we got to get by.”
Despite the heavy roster turnover in Morgantown, Lathan said he still knows a good number of players.
“Yeah, probably know about, like, 15 guys are still there, still on the roster,” he said.
One of those familiar names is starting safety Kekoura Tarnue, who reached out to Lathan after Kansas’ loss to Missouri. Last game Lathan played Missouri where a good friend of his Jeremiah Trotter played on the opposite team. This game he will face several more.
“He (Tarnue) called me after the game,” Lathan said. “He told me he was coming. So, getting ready for that.”
West Virginia’s fast paced offense
The Mountaineers will bring a new-look offense into Lawrence, that focuses and emphasizes tempo and speed. Lathan said preparing for their approach has been a major point of emphasis in practice.
“They move fast. They try to get the ball snapped under 15 seconds,” he said. “So, you know, we’re preparing for that. They got some good players.”
Kansas has leaned on its scout team to replicate that style. West Virginia head coach Rich Rodrizguez is known for his fast offenses and last week against Pitt they ran 90 plays.
“Just running two huddles and stuff like that,” Lathan explained. “Our scout team is doing a really good job of lining up, getting back to the ball, just putting a lot of emphasis on moving fast.”
Preparing for ground game and quarterbacks
A big challenge for the Jayhawks will be slowing down running back Tye Edwards, who rushed for 141 yards last week. Lathan said the defense knows what kind of physical runner they’re up against.
“He runs the ball hard. He’s a bigger back,” Lathan said. “They got a couple guys that they rotate, but we expect two to be their main guys in short yardage. He just runs hard.”
Edwards is 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and has the size and physical style that will be a challenge for Lathan and the Kansas linebackers.
Lathan also knows what to expect from West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol, who was on the roster with him last season.
“Behind the scenes, he’s a competitor,” Lathan said. “Nico’s a guy who waited his turn. He’s getting his turn now. But he competes, he stays level-headed. Even getting benched and stuff like that, he stays level-headed.”
Kansas will also need to prepare for the possibility of multiple quarterbacks seeing action. Last week the Mountaineers played three different quarterbacks in their win over Pitt.
“You just never know,” Lathan said. “But that’s how I go every week — get through the next guy. Whoever they put out there, our goal is to run them into the turf.”
