Steve Sarkisian analyzes preparing for two Kansas QBs

Texas isn’t new to dealing with questions at the quarterback spot. Not only have the Longhorns not known who their starter would be at times but neither have their opponents. They should be in that position yet again this weekend when they travel to Lawrence to face Kansas.

Since they don’t know whether Jalon Daniels or Jason Bean will be starting for the Jayhawks, Steve Sarkisian spoke about the challenges of preparing for both quarterbacks during his press conference on Thursday. Not knowing their QB1 doesn’t help. Regardless, Sarkisian says that Kansas’ offense will be difficult to defend with either as the starter.

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“I guess we’re getting used to (not knowing),” said Sarkisian. “The system isn’t going to change. They’ve got a very good system offensively…You have to be very disciplined in defending…I think both quarterbacks are very equipped at running it.”

Jalon Daniels lit up college football to start the season for Kansas. In his five full appearances before his right shoulder injury, Daniels completed 67.8% of his passes for 983 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interception. He also rushed for 329 yards and five more scores.

However, his injury allowed Bean to step into the spotlight after being Kansas’ starter in 2021. He has gone on to throw for 1,232 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four picks on a 64.9% completion rate in his four-and-a-half games of action in Daniels’ absence. He has proven to still be a rushing threat too with 203 yards and three touchdowns in that span.

Sarkisian went on to compliment both of their games as he prepares his team for each one. Bean has the kind of speed that he worries about. However, Sarkisian sounded more concerned about the feel that Daniels has for the game and how it could challenge his defense. Either way, his unit will have to have their i’s dotted and t’s crossed when it comes to both quarterbacks.

“I would probably say Bean, maybe, is faster than Daniels. When he gets to the open field, he’s got really straight-line speed,” said Sarkisian. “I think one thing Daniels has is he’s got a really good feel for the game of football. We felt that last year in our game.”

“So, you have to prepare for the system. But I do think it is important to know, in-game, which quarterback is in there. And then kind of how we need to defend him as the game goes on.”

The mixing and matching of quarterbacks in the Big 12 looks set to continue in Texas’ road trip to Kansas this weekend. Bean picked up an injury himself last week that only further muddies those water. Still, Sarkisian is placing plenty of emphasis on finding a way to slow down the Jayhawk offense altogether regardless of whether it’s Daniels or Bean who’s running it.