Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald is looking for a tougher, more aggressive edge from his corners after the Jayhawks’ 38-21 loss to Missouri exposed some issues in the secondary.
Kansas gave up 292 passing yards in the defeat, and McDonald said the problem went beyond the pass rush. Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons completed 66% of his passes and threw three touchdowns, often working quickly against a Kansas back end that gave receivers too much space.
McDonald said the coverage itself has to tighten up so the front can have more time to get home.
“I thought we did a poor job of locking on guys and getting to that second and third look,” McDonald said.
That has been a major focus for Kansas this week as it prepares for Arizona State. McDonald wants his cornerbacks closer to the line of scrimmage instead of sitting back with a heavy cushion, a style he believes would make quarterbacks hold the ball longer and open more chances for the pass rush.
Missouri’s quick game limited Kansas’ ability to affect Simmons, and the Tigers piled up 469 total yards. Kansas finished without a sack.
McDonald said Austin Alexander showed the kind of rep he wants to see more often, so much so that he used it in his teaching tape.
“I just brought him in and showed him and said, ‘This is you, big dog,’” McDonald said.
For McDonald, the message is straightforward: Kansas has corners who can play that way, but they need to trust it and do it consistently.
“Our corners are good corners, and they got to believe that,” McDonald said.
The next chance to show it comes against Arizona State in London. McDonald also made clear he does not want the solution to rest entirely on scheme. Kansas can make adjustments, but eventually the defensive backs have to win their own matchups.
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