KU derailed A&M’s ‘J-Train’

By Ryan Wood     Oct 28, 2007

? Fourth-and-one, and Texas A&M’s football team was nine yards away from the end zone in the second quarter Saturday.

Looking for clues, Kansas University’s defense glanced at the other sideline to find the Aggies giving away their secret.

“We looked over at the sidelines, and Jorvorskie Lane was doing his little train thing,” linebacker James Holt said, miming the “choo choo” motion with his right arm. “So we were like, ‘Yeah, he’s getting the ball.'”

Lane (aka the J-Train) did get it, but was stopped by a mob of Jayhawks for a loss to turn the ball over on downs. It proved to be a huge play to stall what was Texas A&M’s best chance at scoring in the first three quarters.

Kansas went on to win, 19-11, in front of 85,341 fans at Kyle Field.

Of course, Lane getting the ball in that situation would’ve been a good guess without the great tell. The 6-foot, 270-pound back might be the best in the country at getting the tough yard, as his 14 touchdown runs of fewer than five yards prove.

But Lane, with no help from that play, finished with just 24 yards on seven carries Saturday.

“That was a big play. Those kind of plays take the wind out of you, so to speak,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “Jorvorskie Lane is noted to be able to pick up short yardage, and our kids came up and made a big play. I thought our defense at that point in time really felt like we could stop the run game and force them into the pass game.”

Texas A&M overall had just 74 yards on 27 carries against Kansas, one week after burning Nebraska for 359 yards on 66 rushes in a 36-14 victory.

Quarterback Stephen McGee had 10 rushes for 11 yards after compiling 35 carries for 167 yards against the Huskers.

Lane, meanwhile, was almost completely shut down Saturday. Of the 24 yards he compiled, 18 came on one play.

“He’s a big boy,” defensive tackle James McClinton said. “But as unit, we got him down, as you can see.”

KU’s defense continues to show its strength, after weak September competition cast doubt on the terrific numbers it was compiling.

Of course, KU’s 8-0 record speaks for itself. It’s not possible without the Jayhawks’ defense, especially in the last two weeks.

“I’m confident in that group,” Mangino said. “I think those kids, they play the run and the pass well. They just happened to play the run extremely well (Saturday).”

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