Teahan plays series in spring game

White Team quarterback Conner Teahan hands off to running back Ryan Burton during the second half of the Spring Game Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Memorial Stadium.

Conner Teahan’s major-college football debut consisted of one completion in two attempts for 10 yards and a whole lot of applause from those fans who stayed for the second half of Kansas University’s spring football game Saturday in Memorial Stadium.

“Honestly, I was just running out there,” said KU junior basketball guard/football quarterback Teahan, who entered with 14:44 remaining in a 25-minute second half, oblivious to the loudest ovation of the day.

“They (teammates) were telling me I needed to say the cadence a little bit louder because the crowd was finally getting a little life in it. It was fun.”

In front of about half of an announced crowd of 12,500 that included basketball players Tyshawn Taylor, Mario Little, Thomas Robinson, Travis Releford and the Morris twins, Teahan lasted four plays.

After a false start at the 25 yard line, Teahan accepted a snap out of the shotgun and handed to Ryan Burton for three yards.

On second down, he completed a 10-yard pass to Chris Omigie. Burton gained no yards on third down. A short Teahan fourth-down pass was deflected by a safety and fell incomplete.

“I’ve gotten some snaps in practice. It was a little different in front of people, but I felt pretty comfortable. I felt ready,” said the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Teahan, who last took a snap in front of a crowd his senior year at Kansas City Rockhurst High. “Honestly, I’d like to say it was great and fun, but I was not surprised,” he added of his first completion in his first pass attempt. “It was an easy play. I read the linebacker, boom, made the throw.

“(The second one) I tried to float it in there because it was fourth down. I felt, if I put a little more on it or released it earlier, it would have been a completion. I wish we’d have gotten a first down, but it was fun.”

Teahan, who believes he made a lot of progress the past couple weeks, said he’ll meet with coach Turner Gill this week and finalize his plans.

“I don’t really know now. I feel I have a lot more upside in football than I do in basketball. I feel I can get a lot better quick,” Teahan said. “It’s going to be kind of what opportunity I have. We have a bunch of good quarterbacks on the team.

“I’ve always loved both sports. I kind of have to look out for what’s best for not only my future, but the (two) teams’ future. I feel whichever one I might be a bigger help for and whichever is also best for me.”

The plan is if he plays football, he likely will also return to the hoops team.

“It depends what the situation is,” Teahan said. “If I don’t have a chance of playing, I’d probably just do one or the other.”

As far as coach Gill’s take: “As I mentioned, he’s not going to be as far as in the top two,” the first-year coach said, noting either Kale Pick or Jordan Webb would start at QB. “It’s just a matter what his thoughts are, feelings toward basketball or football, and we’ll talk about it, discuss it and come to a decision.”

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icthawkfan316 3 years ago

Best part of this article for me was reading that so many of his basketball teammates were there to support him. And Tyshawn Taylor at a football game? Maybe there's hope for this young man after all!

KU08 3 years ago

My thoughts exactly. Also, it's nice finally read something optimistic from you about Taylor. I thought you had completely given up on him.

Solomon 3 years ago

So he hands off for 3 yards, passes for 10 yards, passes incomplete, and then faces a fourth down? Weren't they giving 1st downs for 13 yard gains?

TaCityHawkFan 3 years ago

Solomon... False start made it a first and 20

TaCityHawkFan 3 years ago

First and 15....

TaCityHawkFan 3 years ago

Those comments were posted in the wrong order. He did get a few extra plays in there didn't he?

rolo2383 3 years ago

It was 1st and ten but the false start made it 1st and 15. A 3 yard run plus a 10 yard pass plus a no gain run plus and incomplete pass equals 2 yards short and turnover on downs.

ralster 3 years ago

EXACTLY, icthawk! Lets find more "chemistry" and solidarity all the way around this year. That really was the coolest part of this story. Teahan, in my mind did what was expected as someone who was recruited for both sports, and was a stud QB in h.s. Could he get alot better if he got alot of reps? Sure...but it doesnt sound like he may get that chance--but who knows, he may stick around football & practice with them from now till August & may get alot sharper. He's just a little rusty...

jaybate 3 years ago

Teahan is in a worst case scenario.

At best third string in football.

And staring down the barrel of Terrence Jones coming and wiping out the only inkling of light he had even for mop up minutes at the 3.

Sorry Conner. KU is very tough.

KUHawkett22 3 years ago

It's amazing that no one is talking about the fact that Teahan looks just as good, if not better, than the 2 starting quarterbacks who have been practicing football nonstop! Teahan trained for 3 weeks and played great great 1 freaking series that was given to him...coincidence? I think not! Politics! How bad would it be if Teahan came in on top of the scholarship recipients and played first or second string QB. The coaches need to get their egos in check and let the guy play. They aren't giving Teahan a chance. They will be sorry when the season starts because that poor guy is getting screwed and, when the heat turns up, they will be too.

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