Brotherhood helps push Owls’ wideouts to grow as players, people
In most triple-option offenses, passing is an after thought. Kennesaw State coaches are quick to explain that’s not the case with their team.
“Sometimes the perception is that we don’t throw the ball, or the perception is all they do is block,” wide receiver coach Mike Daniels said. “But when you really watch us play, our kids are matched up one-on-one with guys often, and we throw it more than some of the other teams.”
But the Owls (4-2, 0-1 Big South) weren’t quite this active through the air last season. In 2015 KSU averaged 136.2 pass yards per game, but this year, the offense is more balanced. The Big South’s top ranked offense not only touts the conference’s No. 1 rushing attack, but the third ranked passing offense in terms of yards, and top ranked passing offense when it comes to passing efficiency.
While plenty of credit deserves to go in the direction of quarterback Chandler Burks, the KSU wide receivers are also a big reason for this upgrade.
On the outside, it starts with Justin Sumpter, the 6’3” 216 pound playmaker who has turned the end zone into his second home this year. Last season, Sumpter grabbed 26 balls for 525 yards and four touchdowns in 11 contests. In just four appearances in 2016, Sumpter has practically equalled that production, collecting 25 receptions for 468 yards and six touchdowns.
“You saw the talent early on,” Daniels said. “It’s been a joy seeing his development and I think he has more to do and I think his ceiling is even higher than what he’s hit.”
Although Sumpter’s leap from year one to year two has set the tone for the Owls ability to put the ball in the air more, it’s the progression of the other receivers that has solidified this passing attack.
Last season, Xavier Harper had just three catches and 27 yards, this year, Harper has proven to be a consistent No. 2 option for KSU thanks to his 11 receptions, 228 yards and one touchdown. And during the last two games, when Harper has filled in for Sumpter as the top option, he totaled seven receptions, 169 yards and a score. On the other side of the field, Tremayne Trawick snagged four receptions last week against Liberty, half the amount he caught all last season.
But while the wideouts have become more prolific in the receiving game, adding a boost to the Owls’ offense, that is not where they are needed most.
Although passing has become a bigger priority for KSU, its run game is still its bread and butter, and the receivers are a crucial part in allowing the rushing attack to be so potent.
“It’s not for everybody,” Trawick said. “That’s why we’re proud of what we do. … BSB — Big South Bullies — we’re proud of that. We’re proud of taking our anger out on other DBs, and that’s just how we go into games.”
The guys from 360V (the name of the wide receiver room) came to KSU much more accustomed to spread offenses and being the focal point of their teams’ schemes. During their time together with the Owls, they have all pushed each other to become more potent run blockers, and the results are paying off.
“We know that’s one of things you have to do to be on the field,” Harper said. “So after you learn that, hey it just what you have to do it’s part of your job … like in real life, if you don’t do your job right, you won’t eat at night, so you won’t have a job. That’s what you got to do in this offense. If you don’t do it, you won’t get to eat.”
The guys said becoming better run blockers simply came down to adopting the right attitude. They added that they know their ability to make a block can be the difference in a short gain or a touchdown.
Attitude is commonly associated with wide receivers at all levels, but at KSU, the traditional attitude of receivers has been left at the door. The “me first” approach normally associated with wideouts has been weeded out of the Owls’ group and replaced with an urge to do whatever it takes to make the team better and help bring home a win.
With Sumpter out for his third consecutive game as KSU travels to take on Gardner-Webb (3-4, 1-0) on Saturday the rest of the guys from 360V will once again be needed to demonstrate just how much they have grown during its time here.
“To be a wideout here, it takes a lot of guts and a lot of courage because you’re asked to go block anybody from a corner to a safety to a d-end to a linebacker,” Harper said. “You have to have the right mental and physical mindset going into it, but it’s a position that helps you grow more as a person and a teammate.”
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