Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing makes his way from the field following the Jayhawks' 37-34 loss to South Florida Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
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KU falls on the road to USF
So far, it's been smooth sailing for the KU football team. Tonight, the Jayhawks took their act on the road.
KU vs. South Florida: Postgame
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2008 KU-USF
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KU vs. USF
Reader poll
After KU's 37-34 loss to South Florida, which position are you most worried about?
- Offensive Line 33% 813 votes
- Defensive Line 32% 779 votes
- Secondary 13% 326 votes
- Running Backs 19% 462 votes
- Other 1% 41 votes
2421 total votes.
Reader poll
Who was KU's first-half MVP against South Florida?
- Todd Reesing 61% 26 votes
- Jacob Branstetter 2% 1 vote
- Johnathan Wilson 33% 14 votes
- Darrell Stuckey 0% 0 votes
- Other 2% 1 vote
42 total votes.
Reader poll
How many points will South Florida score tonight against KU's defense?
- 0 0% 0 votes
- 2-6 5% 3 votes
- 7-13 39% 23 votes
- 14-20 46% 27 votes
- 21-27 5% 3 votes
- 28-35 0% 0 votes
- 36 or more 3% 2 votes
58 total votes.
Tampa — Entering the season, Kansas University's football team knew its schedule would present a number of obstacles.
With games against five teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, a return trip to a BCS bowl - or beyond - would depend largely on how the team fared against some of the country's elite programs.
And Friday, on a sticky night at Raymond James Stadium, Kansas learned just how small its margin for error will be when facing teams of that caliber.
In its first test in a season that figures to be filled with them, the Jayhawks shined for much of the game but came up short against 19th-ranked South Florida, falling 37-34 on a last-second Bulls field goal.
Driving downfield late in the fourth quarter of a 34-all tie, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing was intercepted by South Florida safety Nate Allen with 30 seconds remaining, setting up a game-winning, 43-yard field goal by USF freshman kicker Maikon Bonani as time expired.
"You play to win the game," Kansas coach Mark Mangino afterward. "You're on the road. You're not playing for overtime. And those things happen."
Added Reesing, who finished with 373 passing yards and three touchdowns before being intercepted, "We had a chance there for a big play, and the ball was a little bit underthrown, and that safety made a hell of a play."
For half of Friday's game, Kansas couldn't have looked much better.
As it had all season, the offense rolled to gaudy numbers. Reesing was nearly perfect in the first half, throwing for 224 yards on 17-of-22 passing.
Receiver Johnathan Wilson, whom teammates voted the player most likely to surprise this season, did just that, hauling in five first-half passes for 123 yards and a first-quarter touchdown that kicked off the scoring.
Then, without much notice, things changed.
In the second half, Reesing couldn't go two seconds without a USF lineman invading his personal space. Grothe, on the other hand, had world of time to make decisions, and the result was a South Florida run that changed the makeup of the game.
When the onslaught was over, South Florida had compiled more than 379 yards of total offense and scored 31 unanswered points to turn a 17-point deficit into a 34-20 advantage.
Grothe, who struggled in the first half, rebounded to finish with 338 yards and two touchdowns passing, to go along with 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
"We just didn't have that edge that we had in the first half," said KU safety Darrell Stuckey. "We just failed to make plays."
Still, Kansas managed to put together a comeback attempt of its own. Trailing by two touchdowns, Reesing led scoring drives on consecutive drives to tie the game at 34 with 5:32 remaining.
And after forcing a punt on the Bulls' next possession, Reesing and the Jayhawks took the field with just under two minutes to play, hoping to complete an improbably comeback.
But Reesing's pass to receiver Raymond Brown was picked off, and Bonani redeemed himself after a missed field goal earlier in the game to play the role of hero.
Despite his team's comeback effort, however, Mangino afterward didn't take much solace in his team's moral victory .
"Listen, I'm not impressed that we were in that much of a hole," he said. "I liked the way the kids displayed character and fought back and everything, but we put ourselves in that position, so hopefully it's a learning experience for us."
Heading into the remainder of the season, it doesn't get much easier for Kansas. Of the Jayhawks' remaining nine games, four come against teams that are currently ranked in the Associated Press' Top 25.
Following next week's game against visiting Sam Houston State, Kansas will begin a conference schedule that features, among others, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech.
"We're still going to be a pretty good team," Kansas running back Angus Quigley said. "We've just got to sew some things up."
Comments
Gregg (anonymous) says...
Bummer! But, it just proves the point, if blockers don't block, you don't have a running, and your passing game is constantly under pressure. Our O-linemen just need time - sadly tho, I expect that time may take an entire season. Defensively, USF should never have scored so many points, but that's another subject. Rock On!
September 13, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cshjhawk (anonymous) says...
Uncharacteristically, we committed some penalties at critical points in the game. Also, I think that the O line, especially the young tackles are still going up the learning curve which is affecting KU's ability to have a more balanced offense. We'll get it together and surprise some teams that we aren't suppose to defeat!
September 13, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leikness (anonymous) says...
2 Quick things:
Let's get real and start Quigley ok?
Off week for the Defense needs to be spent putting in a ton of creative blitz packages?
Other than that, what a ball game. How in the hell do those Vegas guys do it? It's pretty damm fun having a football team don't you think?
September 13, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...
Without blitzes, it's obvious that we have absolutely NO pass rush. I guess McClinton WAS the man!!!
This could definitely be a loooooong season with:
1) No pass rush
2) No running game (damn it...start Quigley!!!)
3) Big-play-susceptible secondary (what is Barfield's problem...he takes the worst angles I've ever seen!!!)
Only positives so far:
1) Reesing
2) The receiving corps (man, just wait until Dexton returns!!!)
3) The kicking game (especially punting)
4) Reesing...damn, did I say that already???
September 13, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
20jayhawk05 (anonymous) says...
McClinton was THE MAN for sure, but he wasn't as a freshman. If I remember correctly, he wasn't dominating until the later part of his junior year, then he really blossomed. We have young guys with more size and potential than McClinton right now, but they need to learn hunger and desire from him. NOTHING was going to stop him from getting to the QB.
Mangino is absolutely right- with no pass rush from the front 4, we have to bring our LBs, which is clearly our strength on blitzes, which left their TE and their WR Hester open for 1st down completions every time. We essentially left the intermediate passing game wide open for them so that the deep ball and the run didn't kill us.
Eventually our inexperience was exposed in the secondary. Barfield needs to man up, but I expect some growing pains from him.
On the offensive side of the ball, Reesing is going to be hurting later this season against great defenses like we saw last night if he has to throw that many times and is getting ZERO production from his backfield mates. Sharp has been completely ineffective this season. I love his drive, but he has done nothing for us so far. Crawford is knocking on the door, I think, but the game is still too fast for him. Quigly looks ready, why is he not getting ANY touches until the second half?
One last thought of next-day QBing: When we had the ball w/ 2 minutes and change remaining in the second quarter, why did we not try to get down field and at least try to get a FG out of the possession? We started the second half w/ the ball, why not try to get more momentum and get a score going into half? When our first play on that drive is a run up the gut, I think the coaching staff is essentially saying "lets be satisfied with the score as is right now". From the end of the Q2 until the start of the 4th, outside of Reesing, Meier, and Wilson, no one (players and coaches alike) did NOTHING to help win.
September 13, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawk4life1976 (anonymous) says...
It amazes me to read on other sites that when the Hawks lose on a last second FG to a ranked team on the road they were "rolled" or "stomped" and that it just goes to show that they are just a one-year wonder. However, I am confident that they will rebound from this and be fine for Big XII play.
September 13, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chicagoeddie (anonymous) says...
we will be fine. i am glad we finally played a good team in the preseason to prep us to the real teams that are to come. not only were we on the road but i think our team and the coaches adjusted well. it was a great game to prepare us and also for future scenarios we now know what we should and shouldnt do in similar situations.
rock chalk! we will take the big 12 north with ease!
September 13, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
It's too bad Kendrick Harper couldn't play. Barfield just wasn't quite ready for prime time as a RS Freshman. It seemed like once we started giving Grothe 5 seconds to find a receiver, he picked on Barfield mostly.
But it's a team game and if we can't get a better pass rush than that, a LOT of teams are going to throw for a lot of yards.
Bottom line: you really have to hang this loss on the defense, which is diappointing. Our offense scored more than enough points to win with a decent effort from the defense. Yes, Reesing probably shouldn't have thrown the ball down the middle when there is a safety sitting right in the middle of the field, but Raymond Brown is a senior and he has to react to the ball and become a defender when he sees the throw is short. If he tackles the safety, the game probably goes to OT and then who knows what happens?
All in all, this was a good measuring stick for Big 12 play. I think it will do us a TON of good. We hadn't looked very sharp the first two games. This should get us focused. I expect the Sam Houston game to be about 63-3.
September 13, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bringheatwavewheat (anonymous) says...
I think you can still play to win at the end w/o making that pass in that situation. I don't fault Reesing though, He fought hard all game. That 3rd qtr was huge, wow was that frustrating.
September 13, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dylans (anonymous) says...
what was the flag during the last second field goal?
September 13, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rivethead (anonymous) says...
If Coach Young was still here, we win. Coach Bowen still has a learning curve and it showed during the 2nd half.
September 13, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Maybe Reesing was still ailing from that ridiculous roughing no-call earlier.
The officiating was predictably insane. But evenly so. I don't know who's paying these guys, but somehow I feel that two different mobs paid two different halves of the officiating crew and they cancelled each other out.
Too bad because the teams are building a genuine rivalry that should be left to the fully capable players on the field. Both these teams deserve their ranking. And I think both teams grew a lot from this game.
If these two squads improve off of this battle, they will be tough to beat. Going against players who HATE to lose makes for hard wins. Based on this game, we just saw the two quarterbacks who hate losing the most.
September 13, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stupidmichael (anonymous) says...
running into the kicker
September 13, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
I think the flag on the last play may have been roughing the kicker.
September 13, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cshjhawk (anonymous) says...
Hope that Harper is healthy going forward. Could've used him last night as young Barfield (who is going to be a good one) needs to work on his geometry and better understand those angles!
September 13, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ohioburg (anonymous) says...
A tough loss but to a quality opponent on the road and a nonconference team. We were going to have to make a long pass at some point during that drive to get in field goal range. Reesing just under threw it a little and it cost.
September 13, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawkfan20 (anonymous) says...
The offensive line is fine. We were playing on the road with a silent snap count. The defense can get a jump on the offense on the road. A couple of times Selvie was by Spikes before he even moved. That's why it's tough to win on the road. If that game is in Lawrence, KU wins going away, but USF got us. Congrats to them on a good win.
September 13, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bennettcl (anonymous) says...
That was a hell of a game last night. Damn that 3rd quarter. This game definitely showed our weaknesses and gave us something to work on. We need to give Reesing more time to throw the ball and that comes with developing a running game. I think Quigley showed at the end of the game last night that he should be splitting carries with Sharp not Crawford. Quigley runs with so much more power than Sharp or Crawford. Also we need to not make our defense play 4-6 series in one quarter. They were worn out and we couldn't put any pressure on the QB. South Florida is no cupcake, they are a very fast team. We should hvev beat them though for sure. Tough loss, but something to learn from and prepare us for one heck of a tough season.
September 13, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ku98 (anonymous) says...
I am in agreement with Jayhawkinatl about the positives and negatives.
Disappointing loss for sure, but when USF scored 2 TDs to take the lead 34-20, I thought the 4th quarter was going to be a disaster... but in classic Reesing fashion, we fought back and had a shot at the win. Sure it stinks to go home with a loss, but you have to like the heart and determination we displayed out there.
It was a really good effort overall. That 3rd quarter really hurt us.
September 13, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chadku (anonymous) says...
Can we please realize that we need help on the left side blocking a DE??? That threw our Offensive off in the 3rd Qtr.... Our LT just wore out. Better play calling could have helped that.
And on the defensive side how long does it take to realize a 4 man rush is not going to work?
September 13, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigD (anonymous) says...
Some observances, we had as many penalties in this game as we had through the first four games of last year. Inexperience is generally exposed in big games. It appeared Patterson ran a bad route running right underneath another receiver tipping the ball costing us points. Briscoe was non-existent.
We went into the half and out of the half looking content. We didn't match USF's intensity during that period.
There was a glaring difference between USF's front four and KU's front four. Our d-line is non-existent at this point and it negatively impacts our secondary.
Crawford and Angus should be splitting minutes with Jake in relief.
Reesing looks like he's getting the ball away quicker and he'll have to with our two freshman tackles.
September 13, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kvskubball (anonymous) says...
Pretty good effort on the road. The replacement parts aren't up to speed. Hopefully they'll get there.
Quigley is a good running back, but more than just carrying the ball at RB. I noticed a couple of times he just missed, like swinging at smoke, when he tried to help-block on Selvie.
I was a bit annoyed with the ESPN presentation of the game. Was it just me or did the entire game seem like one long commercial for the USC-OSU game? Lot of jawing by the announcers and barely getting back to the field in time for the play. I felt like they treated this game like a big infomercial. At halftime, seemed like they talked about the game for one minute and spent about 20 on upcoming games. Usually at the beginning of the second half, they show the stats for the first half, I don't remember ever seeing them, too busy talking up "the" game. If they keep it up, the only people who will watch the Friday game will be people looking for info on Saturday games. Which have usually been talked into the ground long before Friday night. Seemed like every time I turned on ESPN this week, or looked at their web page, it was the BEANIE yo-yo, play, no play, yak, yak.
On the flip side I guess it was great that we were on national TV. Even if we were sort of treated like a long stretch of highway, something to get through on our way from here to there (the OSU-USC game).
September 13, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beebe1 (anonymous) says...
Surprising to me, some of these comments. Who were you watching? Example: In the second sack of Reesing, our left tackle was left with two men to block! He took the lineman, as the other guy came in he tried to get him, too. Couldn't happen. Why was the team left with an inadequate number of blockers on Reesing's left? Hey the left tackle tried to cope with an impossible situation. OK for him!
And the defense problem likely isn't a player problem, it's a coach's problem. It looked to me like, 3rdQ, they were playing Prevent! Time after time, they lined up across the field, about 4 yards past the 10 yd mark. Time after time, all the receiver had to do was turn around, catch the ball and let the defenders come. They got first down after first down, exactly that way! Magino noticed it. In his comments on radio he said that we can't stand there and let them catch the ball, and tackle them! The ONLY time that Prevent comes a viable option is the last play before the end of the game, and maybe the last play of the second half.
And guess what? The secondary played a lot of zone. A good bit of the time the defender was protecting a 'zone' that didn't even have a receiver in it.
Our ONLY problem is the Defensive Coaches! We can tolerate a few mistakes, usually. But we can not tolerate an inadequate defense scheme!
Our linebacker coach has his people well trained. He was an Ohio State linebacker and played excellent linebacker as a pro. His only mistake was that one of the 'higher' coaches made him help with the defender lineup across the field, 4 yards behind the10 yd mark! So whose fault is it? Bowen? The cornerback coach? Whoever, my comment 2 years ago was that the coach had to be fired. Still say so!
We've got 7 men in the secondary and they only have 5 receivers! And they can't figure out how to defend against a pass?
Hey, get a coach that can!
September 13, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...
Yeah, I'm still hurtin' a little bit this morning from the loss, but I'm totally inspired by the heart the guys showed in coming back from 14 down. When our defense forced them to give up the ball that last time, I thought for sure Reesing was going to bring home the win. Guess that's what makes this all the more disappointing.
September 13, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FreddyD (anonymous) says...
The defensive line play was a huge factor in last night's loss.... And that was evident all game... And our boy Spikes might want to spend more time preparing for All-Americans because he got used in the second half...
That said, I'm cautiously optimistic about this team as the season moves on... The speed KU saw last night on defense is on par with what they'll see with the Mizzous, the OUs and the UTs later on, and getting that experience will help... It's easy to be hard on Barfield, but the kid is just a RS frosh, and we see how much not having a Harper (and a healthy Stuckey in the 2nd half) in the secondary means for that KU defense...
But enough cannot be said about that 3rd Qtr and how bad the D-line looked and how atrocious the playcalling was, I thought for a minute Quartaro had snuck in with all the shovel passes that were being ran... That play has to be set up, and 1 and 2 yard gains aren't gonna do it...
I don't believe in good losses, but KU learned some things last night, as did the coaching staff and I'm anxious to see how this game affects the rest of the season... Rock Chalk
September 13, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...
I agree, beebe1...we actually started played "prevent" on USF's touchdown-scoring drive to close the first half. And to think we were handling them easily previous to that with our basic sets and blitzes!!! I'm wondering if the chinks in the defensive armor are starting to show due to Bill Young's departure???
September 13, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
klong (anonymous) says...
I was shocked to see how soft we played in the 3rd quarter. I don't know where that came from. I agree with most all of you, START ANGUS!! Crawford is not ready for this level at all. That "block" that he "attempted" and cost us a sack was terrible! Get him out and don't let him play again. I don't blame you Reesing, you were trying to make a big play to win the game. Without you we aren't even in the game.
September 13, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kansas22 (anonymous) says...
Reesing is amazing. He was doing it all by himself out there last night. Without him we would've been done in the 3rd quarter. Our offensive line can't block the run and they can't pass block either. Other than that they're pretty good... Our defensive line doesn't put an ounce of fear into the other team. The only way we put pressure on them is if we blitz a lot and then we become susceptible to big plays.
This TEAM did not look very good last night, it was REESING who kept us in it and led us back. What a terrible way to end the game for Reesing after he played, what I thought, was the best game I've seen him play in a KU uniform. This O-line better grow up quick or our best player won't be around much longer.
September 13, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truefan (anonymous) says...
The good news is that with all the posts I read, no one seems to be panicking yet and that is a great stride for us as fans. I, like all of you, am not jumping off the bandwagon just yet. KU really need Kendrick Harper's experience at corner in the game last night and the sure hands of Sr. Dexton Fields were missed this week vs. a much tougher team in USF. This team will get better, unfortunately our schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out wit MU, OU, UT, and TTech still on the slate. Not to mention KSU, NU, CU which have all improved this year. Heres to watching some young guys grow in both football and basketball this year.
September 13, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soobawls (anonymous) says...
Yeah, last year was a fluke.
September 13, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawk_bred20 (anonymous) says...
truefan - "no one seems to be panicking yet and that is a great stride for us as fans. I, like all of you, am not jumping off the bandwagon just yet."
Jumping off the bandwagon? I hope not. It's a road loss against a top 20 team, I hope no one would be thinking about "jumping off the bandwagon". I hope no one is thinking about that if we lose 4 games this season. That would not be a true fan.
September 13, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beebe1 (anonymous) says...
jayhawkin:
A couple of years ago, I thought Young was the problem. He's gone -- and we still have the problem. I guess our biggest problem of all is that 'coming' coaches spend too much time learning what should be unlearned. I think the best D-mind was the old coach of ND (the one hired from Northwestern). For a number of years the best defense was "the ND Defense". It amounted to man-to-man defense, adapted from BB. If you had the talent to run it (and ND did), it worked perfectly. Ah well.
September 13, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sdoyel (anonymous) says...
Nobody has mentioned that bogus overturned incomplete pass in the endzone? You can't tell me there was enough evidence to overturn the call made on the field. By the time he pulled that ball into his chest he was out of bounds....
September 13, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...
You gatta be kidding me "soobawls"
I agree we had an easy schedule last yr but
Two touchdowns down in 4th Q. and we can't run the ball and only thing we can depend was passing attack. They were playing cover 3 in 4th Q. Reesing still got us even. Now that shows we have a good WR and O line (if they can hold like how they did in 4th Q)
I think this team showed me some sings of possible BCS bowl if we can pull couple of wins against OU and Texas and of course the booger eater and the company.
September 13, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
What I saw was a great Ku comeback that just came up a little bit short. That game at the end could of went either way. Other than that to many 3 and outs in the 3rd quarter. It kind of gave me a vision of the ku-mu game in a way that we started our comeback a little bit to late. Also Mangino this is a wake-up call that Angus Quigley needs to be on the field and not late in the game but right off the bat. Quigley has proved himself in everyway so if Sharp and Crawford have to sit and watch to open up our running game than so be it. With that said I think that will lead to better results and there isnt a doubt in my mind that 1-2 more handoffs to Quigley the way he was running would have got us into fieldgoal range. Mangino you take the loss on this one.
September 13, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
Oh yeah on a positive note Reesing and Wilson, you guys played your butts off. Go Jayhawk Nation!!!
September 13, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
My god! This game does make one emotional.
Bandwagons, firing coaches, "We missed Dexton's sure hands".
greenworld, you just blamed Mangino. "Mr. Mangino". General of the Fighting Manginos. Good luck getting served at your favorite watering hole.
Your original comment about the comeback was better. Just a couple of feet in our favor and this story is completely reversed. Them's the breaks.
You too beebe1. New rule. No calling for coaches heads in the midst of the greatest era of football in Kansas history.
September 13, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
speckleddog (anonymous) says...
He has rushed over twice as many yards as any other running back with only two more carries. His yards per carry is almost three times that of any of the other running backs. Why isn't Quigley starting? And even if he doesn't start, why didn't he get any carries in the first half. PLAY QUIGLEY.
On another topic, which is worse getting beat man to man or having other teams brutalize our zone pass defense.
Rock Chalk
September 13, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
Coach Mangino won coach of year last year so there is no doubt he isnt a great coach. With that said he still is the head coach in charge of Clint Bowen meaning he has to make sure Clint is doint his job correctly. First year d-coach is very different than special teams. Yeah the front 4 werent very effective but what they did to our secondary makes me very nervous to what OU, MU, TX, and TX tech will do. Maybe I am being a little bit nervous or jumpy but I love our jayhawks and only want to see good things happen so changes will definately need to be made going into next game.
September 13, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
I'll take the zone brutalization. But South Florida is hardly "other teams".
September 13, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justanotherfan (anonymous) says...
Observations from last night...
1) As the game wore on, USF's DEs absolutely owned our tackles. That's due to two things. First, experience/ adjustments by USF's players and coaches to generate more rush. Second, conditioning. You could see that our guys were getting slower as the game went, not keeping their knees bent, using poor technique, etc. The first problem is correctable. Our coaches saw what was going on last night, but didn't adjust with different techniques to what USF was doing. That hurt. The second is just unacceptable. You can't wear down like that. I understand that it was probably pretty humid down there last night, but you go through two a days specifically so you DON'T run out of gas in a big game.
2) I've been talking about using our three RB's running styles in play calling for a couple weeks now. Yet we continue to see them try to use Sharp inside. Jake's not a power guy. Maybe in high school he could do that, but he just isn't big enough to do that consistently at the D-1 level. Not a knock on him. Let's get him outside, where he can make things happen.
3) Lack of adjustments. How many times did we see USF's d-line knock down a screen or quick swing off the three step drop (twice almost getting an interception on the tip)? How often did we see them isolate their slot receiver on a linebacker and exploit the speed advantage? USF put their gameplan out there in the second half. We didn't match their adjustments.
4) LB speed issues. On several occassions our LB's got flat outrun. Not just by receivers, but losing contain on Grothe (first touchdown) or getting beat to the edge by a running back. If we are going to defend the spread with our backers on the field, they have to be able to run with guys. Last night, they lost contain several times underneath.
5) DB communication. We lost some receivers in the passing game last night. Our zone needs to communicate better.
6) Defensive playmaking. We didn't have anybody making a tide turning play. The play that could have cinched the game for us (forced fumble off the sack late) ended up getting recovered by USF. Not faulting the defense there, because they made a good play to force the fumble. But sometimes, the difference between almost winning and winning is the difference between making a good play and making a great one.
7) Late decisions. Reesing has no business throwing the ball deep down the middle. I love the kid, like his moxie, leadership, accuracy, etc. But his deep ball isn't that great. He just doesn't have the kind of deep ball that makes me want him throwing a deep post. I'm not faulting him for losing the game. There is plenty of blame to go around. Coaches, defense, receivers on drops, bad penalties, etc.
September 13, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justanotherfan (anonymous) says...
As a note, some of the things that helped us go 12-1 last year haven't been present this year.
1) Almost no penalties. We were one of the least penalized teams last year. That saved us more than once in close games where we had virtually no drives stalled or extended by mistakes.
2) Turnover margin. We got tons, rarely gave any away. Last year we got almost every loose ball. This year, we just haven't gotten those bounces. That turned the tide a few times last year.
3) Off balance defenses. Last year, people didn't really know how to defend us. This year, nobody has stopped us, but they have been able to make us more one dimensional with very little ground attack. Also, more than once I saw USF absolutely blow up a screen or short swing. Last year we got 7+ yards on those all the time. Looks like people are catching on to that.
September 13, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
"there is no doubt he isnt a great coach".
greenworld, are you a spy or a drop-out?
Bowen is fine. The defense is fine. We are adjusting. It's part of the game. Take your pills and breath. You might want to get a hold of our mysteriously absent 5Decade. I'm worried about him, and you need a shoulder.
September 13, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkox (anonymous) says...
A couple of quick fixes to make everything better:
1. Start Angus Quigley and give him around 20 carries a game. The young tackles need time to adjust, and run blocking is much more enjoyable for linemen. It'll help give them an edge. Do not, under any circumstances, let Crawford pass-block.
2. Start anyone, anyone other than Barfield across from Chris Harris. He is not ready for D-1 play and its unfair to string him out on his own like that, he should be reserved for nickel and dime sets to get adjusted.
3. Please, just a couple times a game, bring linebackers to the line before the snap, and then drop them back in coverage and vice-versa. These first three games, if there're linebackers in the box, they're going to blitz, if not, they're not. It's overly predictable, and makes the game easy for QB's and OL's alike.
If we can just do those three things, I think things will turn around in a hurry.
September 13, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JaHawk4Life (anonymous) says...
OK, so we lost to a quality team on their home field. We had a horrible 3rd quarter, but still rallied to have a chance to win at the end.
After next week we should be 3-1, but I'm looking at the schedule and trying real hard to find at least 3 more wins. Someone please convince me!
September 13, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
The remaining four home games. Done!
JaHawk4Life, you worry too much. You and greenworld need 5Decade now more than ever.
September 13, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
JaHawk4Life ask Kgphoto he knows everything and says our defense is fine. Everyone needs to come down off the high from last year and just say last year was last year and this year there isnt going to be any powerpuffs. People (Kgphoto) need to realize we have a different schedule and are playing ranked teams. It's not the players im trying to tell you and nobody wants to listen. The players are just doing what they are told to do from the coaches and how they get motivated before the games or what type of shape they are in is the coaches responsibilty to make sure of it. And also to make sure the right plays are being called and right players are in the game. This is the same team we had last year minus a couple of players and a very different schedule. Other than that there shouldnt be any excuses for losing and the football field last time a checked is 100yrds for both teams.
September 13, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Ah. Now I'm reminiscing. 5Decade is late, even by septuagenarian standards. Decade where are you? I won't lie. I'm AM worried.
I was just wondering if, I too, would join the "members only" Septuagenarian Jayhawk Sports Club one day. Membership of one, currently. Of course, Decade, you'd be a centenarian by then. "Ocho Decade" across the back of your KU jersey.
Your centenarian acceptance speech? "Why, it was only the 1950's when I graduated and started what is now known as the 'internet' so I could angrily jabber at novice journalists. It was a crazy idea then, but look at me now".
Sadly, Ocho's words were short lived. His obit included the details of his untimely demise.
"103 year old Ocho Decade was blown to cataclysmic dust today after falling forward, into the path of a city bus. His only remains were his ears, found exactly 100 yards from the collision. Friends and witnesses say they were concerned that the disproportionate size of Ocho's ears were going to pull him into harms way, but there was nothing they could do because he was 'extremely stubborn'. The day will now, and forever, be observed as JayWawk Day".
September 13, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
greenworld. Try some punctuation and take your pills.
September 13, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kuae99 (anonymous) says...
I was at the game, and I'd like to mention one thing: The USF stadium officials only showed replays of the plays that were close that USF might want to protest. They never did it for any plays that were close that KU might have wanted to protest. Literally the entire USF team and sideline would watch the replay before running the next play. This was my first college game at a hostile field (and I went to KU before the video board), so maybe it's typical. Still, it seemed to me to be a distinct advantage.
September 13, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Your dead-on 99. That's today's home field advantage. And even though I did it a little bit earlier, "there's no crying in football".
Okay, this is like my umpteenth post here. Can you tell I'm bored watching the Misery game? 62 points and counting.
September 13, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Strikewso (anonymous) says...
Roughing the kicker?? That is horrible, the guy almost missed it and they would have gotten another chance. I hope that wone mistake just makes Reesing and the guys more determined. They'll be other chances.
September 13, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flipborder02 (anonymous) says...
I feel like crap today all I want to do is sit in my room until next saturday. =:(
September 13, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kvskubball (anonymous) says...
greenworld... It IS the players. The coaches aren't out on the field. The coaches aren't the ones too slow to run down someone turning the corner, or blowing a containment assignment, or not being able to get to the qb, or looking lost in their zone assignments, etc.
To everyone... Talent upgrades take time. Last year the players played at a very high level (And it seemed to me they often played to the max of their talent) and were cohesive units on offense and defense. Hum, I do think a couple of players were drafted, right? One of them was on the sideline at the game (Aqib).
I hope in a few years, you could compare the KU football team to the Gonzaga bball team. Win big in year 1, then almost get there for a couple more years, while upgrading talent, now the Zags have a consistently talented team. Good coaching and great players equal wins. We should know this from watching OUR bball team.
Last year was Year 1 for KU football. If we're lucky we keep ugrading talent over the next couple years while winning at a reasonable level. Then we'll be able to win more recruiting battles and win more games against top flight opponents. Then winning or losing ONE game won't seem like the end of the world to so many of you - maybe, or maybe some of you are just related to chicken little.
September 13, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
Bowen IS the problem.
I played with Bowen and I know Bowen. He was playing the type of defense he used to play under Bob Fello, who was simply terrible. 10 guys on that defense ended up playing in the NFL and they couldn't stop anyone. Bowen was playing coverage exactly like Fello used to do it. He needs to go. I never liked the hire in the first place.
September 13, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
If you have ever played D1 football and have studied film, you will see that some players made mistakes, but the majority of the issues were with schemes. They were doing what they were supposed to do in those schemes. The defensive schemes were some of the worst I have seen since the Terry Allen days.
The good think is that Mangino IS a good coach and knows how to run a program. He will either get Bowen to change his ways or he will replace him. It is as simple as that. However, we will be stuck with him for at least another year. I can only hope he learns on the job fast.
The secondary last night reminded me of the days of Tim "stand still" Hill, Robert Vaughn (before he got glasses/contacts) and the Bowen brothers. Simply terrible!
September 13, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
Also, everyone is getting on our offensive tackles but our guards and center have been awful in run blocking. They were supposed to be our strength and they cannot sustain a block to save their lives. I think the tackles have been a pleasant surprise for freshman...sure they make mistakes and get beat from time to time, but they have actually played better than our guards and center for the most part of 3 games.
And our running backs are clueless when it comes to blocking. We need a guy like Powell from the early 90's back there laying some lumber and having his helmet cover pop off because of his toughness. We need someone with that tenancity.
September 13, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
rasta_meta, are you wearing coaching shorts right now? Because you sound just like the D-bags that coached me in junior high. What D-1 program did you play for? And why can't you find a job as a coach?
Maybe your coach shorts are riding up your crotch too tightly.
September 13, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
I played for KU
September 13, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
I played for KU during the Mason era with Clint Bowen
September 13, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
Played with his brother Charlie too.
September 13, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
Who said I can't find a job as a coach? I just prefer to not give out that information. No, it isn't D1, but rather a professional league.
September 13, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
In what?
No wait. Let me guess. Fraternity Gymnastics?
September 13, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
KGphoto-
I guess because I said Bowen's scheme are no good that makes me a dirt bag? I didn't attack anyone else who posts here so maybe that make you the dirtbag...you dumbass.
September 13, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
I like coming here to read information about KU football. I noticed what people were saying and I thought a different perspective from a defensive coach in the NFL who played with Bowen could add some insight, but then I get attacked by an idiot such as KGphoto. You don't have to agree with what I am saying, but how about having a little class and don't attack the posters that are trying to add insight.
September 13, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Dude, I can't keep up with your rapid-fire posts. You're responding in bursts. Pull it together and we'll talk. You sound like 5Decade. Don't get me started.
September 13, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says...
greenworld-What? My 2 year old makes more sense when he talks
September 13, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Oh yeah. I played for KU too. But I won't say who I am, I'll just assume everybody knows I'm the most knowledgeable fan in the world. "I drive a Dodge Stratus"!
September 13, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rasta_meta (anonymous) says...
KGphoto-
Did I ever say that I am must knowledgeable fan in the world? I will not give my name for good reason. I cannot have my name associated with these post for professional reasons. I know it seems fishy, but it is the truth.
Look, all I am saying is that I played under Bob Fello with Bowen and I like Bowen as a person, but I see him doing a lot of Bob Fello'esq type of calls and it concerns me. As soon as I got into a different system I realized how bad the schemes were under Bob Fello. We saw how much our team improved in '95 when Fello was replaced with Hankawitz.
Go back and take a look at the La Tech game. The long drive they had was due to the schemes. Our cornerbacks were playing about 10 yards back and they simply were running hooks and moving the chains. Also, the long run reminded me of the days of the Nebraska option back when I played. I remember getting up on Nebraska 17 - 0 in the first quarter to end up losing somewhere around 30 points because Nebraska's third string back destroyed us in the option. He ended up being a pretty good back, but he was third string back then. We were constantly put in bad positions to make the play and often the calls took us out of the play. This is what I saw on that long run in La. Tech. Granted, it looked like there was pick, but the entire defense was out of position.
Anyway....I am done...I have only given my perspective and you continually attack my comments like an immature Frat kid...I have too much work to do than to waste my time posting here with people like you.
September 13, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hawkish4bigM (anonymous) says...
Thank you, Rasta. You have made some good points. Kodachrome must be an MU fan.
September 13, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hawkish4bigM (anonymous) says...
Between the lines as you said, "A soft defense is no defense." Man to man, assignment sound, make them beat you defensive football. Stuff the receivers and occassionally disguise the man to man into a zone.
3rd and short? Five men down. play the run and stay in front of the quarterback looking to bat the ball if a pass.
September 13, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
asn_snsation (anonymous) says...
Worst loss I have ever seen in a game. We were up by 17 pts and should have been a lot more. I cannot believe how bad the defense plays. USF receivers were open all night. Cancel my ticket to Arrowhead. That defense was sickening.
September 13, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutlawJHawk (anonymous) says...
Greenworld and Rasta--you both have some good points.
Greenworld, I agree, the head man (Mangino) has to take the hits and lumps when HIS team loses, just like he took the credit (coach of the year) and kudos for last year's team. Afterall, it is HIS program, with HIS chosen coaches, and HIS recruited players. There was multiple failures all the way around in this game. I watched the game with two recent KU graduates who PLAYED football at KU too and they had a lot of buddies on the field. They had little positive to say about the defensive scheme and they like Bowen. They also kept complaining about "work-in-progress" O-line especially the tackles, and our Defensive Ends inability to turn the corner. As far as RB, both guys and myself continued to wish we still had Brandon McAnderson (one of the most underrated players from last years team).
Rasta--being an LHS alum, I feel for Bowen, but I agree with you, he just does not seem to have it. Can anyone for even a moment tell me we wouldn't have done better yesterday and that there would have not been a different outcome if Young was still here?
KG--your football days are over, so get off of the roids. You are not on the football field, so try just a little civility. Stop blitzing and trying to sack every poster. If you chill out some, you might be able to parlait your KU football days (if true) into a substantive career in the real world and maybe even find work with some KU grad and football fan that has made it OFF of the field.
All, this is going to be a long year. We will win some games, but we will lose quite a few too. We have to suck it up and let this team mature. We also have to hope Mangino, our coach of the year, makes the proper adjustments within his staff, team, players, and game plan to give us something better than what we all saw yesterday.
September 13, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
Cancel my ticket to arrowhead...wow. Are you a fair weather KU fan or what? Anyway the defense if I remember right held tight late in the game when it mattered. Grant it we didnt win the game but if we some how pull it out I bet the last poster asn_snsation doesnt even post his comment. I agree with the rasta_meta alot and have to say I dont like what I am seeing with Bowen. Bowen needs to quit holding up signs with numbers on them and coach the defense like it's a bunch of men instead of little boys.
HEy Danny 42 easy old boy I know where you live.
September 13, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daverinoku (anonymous) says...
START ANGUS! Neither Jake nor Crawford has showed much of anything so far this year. Only Angus. Crawford should be the #2 back and he'll get better with experience. I think JAKE is the guy who will have most success late in the game when the other D is tired.
Gotta get some D-line penetration. Darius Parish?
September 13, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutlawJHawk (anonymous) says...
Danny42--If you could play softball as well as you complain, you would have some credibility with me.
September 13, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greenworld (anonymous) says...
Danny42- Im hitting up the middle at you next time we play to guys. Your an ass. How about that for grammer B_E_A_C_H
September 13, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Ha! All your capitalization has me dizzy.
I never said I PLAYED football at Kansas. In fact I NEVER PLAYED collegiate football. So what. ACTUALLY, it's kind of FLATTERING that you think I DID!
As far as your Mangino bashing? Keep it up. I'm sure he appreciates your support. Especially considering he built the coaching staff that built the winningest football program in school history. You don't need to be a former player/burnout to recognize that.
Bring it Outlaw! I'm bored, waiting for USC to smash OSU. Oh! And I like your Bull Durham quotes. Priceless.
"Stop blitzing and trying to sack every poster".
Are you for real?
"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... sometimes... it rains".
Brilliant.
Oops. Sorry. Forgot my civility. OUTLAWJHAWK!
September 13, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Ah yes. Beer-league softball studs.
greenworld and Outlaw, you got me. I knew you were really a couple of drunks. But hey...
...me too! Let's get a drink. Then, Mangino and I will take you to the woodshed and beat the living daylights out of you.
Whad'aya say? OUTLAW! You civil SOB!
September 13, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutlawJHawk (anonymous) says...
KG--Your dizziness is a chronic condition. You need to walk away from the computer, walk out of your your bedroom, find your Mom and tell her she forgot to give you your ritalin today. Also, if you keep this kind of behavior up, your Mom may not let the the little yellow bus pick you up Monday morning.
Who is bashing Mangino? He will make adjustments and is a good coach, but HIS (for idiots, the caps indicate emphasis, get it, KG) team lost the game and he has to take the blame for that dismal performance. Yeah, he is the best (winningest) we have had at Kansas, but don't start playing with yourself over Mangino's barely over .500 record.
I obviously got you confused with another poster; I should have known you didn't play football. I gave you way too much credit. So, what band instrument do they have you playing in your