When you're a team in the position Kansas finds itself in starting the 2012 season, any win is a good win. Five wins over the past two seasons - which included just one in the Big 12 - will make a team appreciate any victory that comes their way just a little more.
There were plenty of positives to take away from KU's 31-17 season opening victory over South Dakota State. The running game was solid with both Tony Pierson and Taylor Cox rushing for over 100 yards.
After giving up a 99 yard touchdown run on the game's second series, the Jayhawks' defense allowed just 105 yards on the ground the rest of the game. They also forced the Jackrabbits to go three-an-out on five different offensive series, three in the first four series (the other was the 99 yard TD run).
But don't think the Jayhawks are patting themselves on the back just yet. One, because they just beat South Dakota State, an FCS opponent coming off a 5-6 season. And two, because their head coach isn't having any of it.
“After every game, I’ll watch about 20 plays — 10 good ones and 10 bad ones," Charlie Weis said. "And after a win, I’ll always show the bad ones first. (I’ll) say, ‘Yeah, you think you’re good? Well, let’s watch this pile of crap.”
You're guess is as good as mine as to what plays Weis chose to include in his pile of crap session, but there's a good chance they came from the offensive side of the ball during the first half.
The Jayhawks eight drives before halftime included three punts, a missed field goal, a fumble, and a failed fourth down.
The two drives that resulted in points weren't a thing of beauty, either. After blocking a SDSU punt, KU recovered at the Jackrabbit seven yard line but gained only two yards in the next three plays and settled for a 22 yard field goal.
But hey, if your Kansas, you have to start somewhere and winning the first game with a new coaching staff definitely beats the alternative (ask former coach Turner Gill about that). So while there is plenty of crap to sift through, doing so after a win probably makes it just a bit more pleasant.
