Bowl Championship Series - Players to Watch - No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 3 Kansas State

Friday, December 13, 2002
Players to Watch - No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 3 Kansas State
By Will Weiss
BCSfootball.com

TORRANCE MARSHALL

School: Oklahoma
Year: Senior
Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 252
Hometown: Miami, Fla.

Year	Games	Tackles	TFL-Yds	Sacks-Yds	FF	PBU
2000	5	41	6-13	2-9	1	0
1999	12	97	17-49	7-31	1	7
Career	17	138	23-62	9-40	2	7

Like many of the Oklahoma Sooners, Torrance Marshall had one of his best efforts of the season last week against Texas, notching seven tackles (two for loss) and one sack. This Saturday, Marshall and the rest of OU's defense have the dubious honor of stopping No. 3 Kansas State (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

Ever since Marshall transferred to Oklahoma from Kemper Military Academy, he has been an impact player on the Sooners' defense. In Bob Stoops' system, Marshall has shined, putting up numbers comparable to "The Boz" in his Oklahoma heyday.

The team's third-leading tackler a year ago with 97 (17 for loss), this season, Marshall is tied for the team lead in tackles with outside linebacker Rocky Calmus, with 41.

In OU's 4-3 setup, Marshall sits between Calmus and Roger Steffen -- all are quick to anticipate the play, versatile, and vicious hitters. As a middle linebacker, Marshall's spot will be the most important for Oklahoma against K-State, as he will constantly have quarterback Jonathan Beasley in his sights. Marshall's quickness and penchant for attacking the line of scrimmage will be used to the fullest, as Beasley can beat teams in so many ways.

Watch for him to plug the line to try and get penetration on Beasley. By plugging the line, Marshall will also be able to read the run, whether it is Beasley, David Allen, Josh Scobey or Chris Claybon carrying the ball.

If Marshall has the type of game he is accustomed to having, he can force Beasley to make mistakes, which bodes well for Oklahoma. Last week, the Sooners forced three Texas turnovers, which spearheaded the 63-14 rout. Kansas State has committed 11 turnovers this season.

If there are weaknesses in the Kansas State offense, Torrance Marshall will find and exploit them.

DAVID ALLEN

School: Kansas State
Year: Senior
Position: Running Back
Ht/Wt: 5-9, 200
Hometown: Liberty, Mo.

Year	Games	Rush-Yds	Avg.	TD	PR-Yds	Avg.	TD
2000	2	24-89	3.5	1	5-29	5.8	0
1999	10	74-364	4.9	6	28-390	13.9	2
1998	12	31-177	5.7	1	33-730	22.1	4
1997	10	1-12	12.0	0	30-403	13.4	1
Career	34	130-642	4.9	8	96-1,552	16.2	7

Kansas State running back and punt returner extraordinaire David Allen is elated to be back in the lineup. He has said his left ankle is "fine," "OK," "pretty healthy," and other positive adjectives. The bottom line is that Allen is back and ready to do some damage.

And what better stage for him to return than the biggest game of the Wildcats' season.

Allen tested his ankle last week against Kansas, gaining 19 yards on nine carries. He expects to play a bigger role against No. 8 Oklahoma, but head coach Bill Snyder has not determined whether that role will be as a running back or as a punt returner.

Oklahoma would rather see him at running back, where he can't hurt them as much. Allen is only 143 yards and one touchdown short of becoming the most prolific punt returner in NCAA history -- that record held by Vanderbilt's Lee Nalley (1947-49). He is tied for the all-time mark with seven career touchdowns.

In whatever capacity, Allen adds excitement to K-State's package, and forces the Sooners to pay attention to where he is at all times. Though Allen is only 5-foot-9, he is a powerful runner who sheds tackles easily, and has unbelievable speed.

Allen feels close to 100 percent. If he plays to that level, it could spell danger for Oklahoma and another 'W' for the Wildcats.

Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com.

ALSO SEE

Dell Game Preview: No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 3 Kansas State

Oklahoma's Rock(y) solid on defense

5 things to watch

Big 12 notebook

Arute: Don't count Florida State out yet

Danielson: Cool Brees following Dayne's pattern

AUDIO/VIDEO

Oklahoma's Rocky Calmus picks off Chris Simms and returns it 41 yards for a touchdown.
avi: 735 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

The Sooners go old school as Josh Heupel pitches to Quentin Griffin for a TD.
avi: 1126 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Oklahoma's Josh Heupel lays it in nicely for Andre Woolfolk.
avi: 836 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Oklahoma's Curtis Fagan races to the corner on the end-around.
avi: 796 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

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