KU trounces Toledo, 63-14

By Liz Heuben     Sep 11, 2004

Against Toledo on Saturday, Kansas University’s defense showed that last week’s performance against Tulsa was no fluke.

The Jayhawk offense proved that its lackluster showing against the Golden Hurricane was.

KU defeated Toledo, 63-14, behind a strong showing by John Randle and Adam Barmann and a nearly suffocating defensive effort.

“I’m just really proud of the way our players played in all three phases of the game,” Coach Mark Mangino said. “We built on last week’s defensive performance and turned in another stellar defensive performance. The offense clicked and was opportunistic, took advantage most of the night of good field position, and when they didn’t have good field position still made things happen.”

The Jayhawk defense started strong, forcing a three-and-out on Toledo’s first possession. Jermial Ashley batted down Bruce Gradkowski’s third-down pass, and KU’s offense gained momentum on Charles Gordon’s 41-yard punt return to Toledo’s 46-yard line.

Randle, who started the game, rushed for 18 yards on KU’s second play and scored six plays later on a two-yard run. Scott Webb’s first collegiate extra-point attempt was good, giving the Jayhawks a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.

Toledo (0-2) gained its initial first down on its next drive, but couldn’t muster another. Brett Kern’s punt was downed at KU’s 49-yard line, again giving the Jayhawks good field position.

KU (2-0) didn’t waste that opportunity, with Randle providing the first 31 yards of the ensuing drive. Two plays later, Barmann found Mark Simmons in the right corner of the end zone. The 17-yard scoring pass gave KU a 14-0 lead.

Two plays into Toledo’s drive, KU’s defense continued its domination of the Rockets when David McMillan tipped Gradkowski’s pass and Nick Reid intercepted the ball, returning it to Toledo’s 5-yard line.

Just two plays later, Barmann hit Brandon Rideau with a six-yard touchdown pass for a 21-0 lead.

Back-to-back-to-back three-and-outs gave KU a first-and-10 from its own 45-yard line. Randle took just one play to score, grabbing a short pass, sprinting downfield, breaking one tackle and diving into the end zone for a 28-0 lead.

The Rockets gained two first downs on their next possession, but Tony Stubbs picked off a third-down pass by Gradkowski, giving KU the ball at its own 49-yard line.

Barmann wasted no time moving KU downfield, hitting Gary Heaggans for a 16-yard scoring pass three plays and just over a minute later. The pass gave the Jayhawks a 35-0 lead less than three minutes into the second quarter, and tied Barmann’s career high of four touchdown passes.

“Adam settled in and is doing what he’s capable of doing,” Mangino said. “John Randle had a big night, carried the ball well and pass-protected well.”

KU’s success continued two plays into Toledo’s next drive, as Charlton Keith picked up a Gradkowski fumble and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown and a 42-0 lead with 11:57 left before halftime.

The teams traded punts before Gradkowski finally got on track. He finished Toledo’s drive with a 51-yard scoring pass to Steve Odom, who broke a tackle before sprinting down the left sidline. Michael Krispinsky’s extra point made the score 42-7.

Barmann again quickly moved KU downfield, completing seven straight passes in moving KU to Toledo’s 2-yard line. Randle finished the drive with a two-yard rush, giving KU a 49-7 lead going into halftime.

The third quarter was scoreless until 11 minutes in when Gradkowski hit Kenny Higgins for a 14-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone, cutting KU’s lead to 35 points.

Kansas answered with a 1-yard run by senior fullback Austine Nwabuisi on the next possession. Backup fullback Brandon McAnderson added another score on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter, giving KU a 62-14 lead.

Randle sat out after gaining a career-high 104 yards on 19 carries. He broke his career high for rushing yards early in the third quarter with a 10-yard run, giving him 80 for the game at that point.

Barmann sat out after the 9:14 mark of the fourth quarter, finishing 24-of-34 passing with 310 yards and four touchdowns. He also was intercepted once.

Simmons caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Rideau had six catches for 53 yards and a score. Randle caught three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Gradkowski sat out the fourth quarter. He finished 15-of-28 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off twice.

Quinton Broussard led Toledo with 39 rushing yards on 14 carries. Higgins led Toledo’s receivers with five receptions for 92 yards and a score.

Notes
¢ KU’s 63 points was the most the Jayhawks have scored against a Division One opponent since a 68-7 victory over New Mexico in 1968.

  • Freshman linebacker Mike Rivera saw his first collegiate defensive action late in the game.
  • The Jayhawks’ 56 points through three quarters was the first time KU had scored 56 or more points against a Division One opponent since a 62-10 victory over Ball State in 1992.
  • Scott Webb’s nine point-after attempts set the KU record for PATs in a game.
  • Barmann broke the KU sophomore record for passing yards in a game late in the third quarter with a 29-yard completion to Heaggans. That pass gave Barmann 310 yards in the game, breaking Kelly Donahoe’s mark of 281 yards. Barmann set the freshman passing record last year with 294 yards against Texas A&M – his first collegiate game.
  • Toledo’s biggest gain in the first half before a 31-yard reception by Lance Moore on the Rockets’ scoring drive was offensive lineman Nick Kaczur’s 23-yard scamper on a fake punt in the second quarter. Kaczur finished the first half as Toledo’s leading rusher, just four yards ahead of wide receiver Higgins.
  • The Jayhawks’ 49 first-half points tied KU’s record for most points in a half, and set a record for a Toledo oppponent.
  • Toledo starting defensive end Phil Alexander did not play. Three freshmen and a sophomore started on the Rockets’ defensive line.
  • Banks Floodman again did not start for the Jayhawks. Kevin Kane, Gabriel Toomey and Nick Reid started for KU, and Floodman entered the game later.
  • KU freshman running back Gary Green was suited for the Jayhawks, but did not play.
  • Kickoff temperature was 84 degrees under fair skies with 13-mph wind out of the southeast.

All stats are unofficial.

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