Kansas can’t do anything about losing to one rival, so the Jayhawks will have to concentrate on preparing for another.
After calling Saturday’s 38-34 football loss to Border War-rival Missouri “as disappointing a loss we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Kansas University coach Terry Allen sounded re-energized the following day, saying KU is ready to move forward.
“It was a frustrating day for all of us,” Allen said Sunday, “but this is another week.”
Of course, the fact the Jayhawks (2-4 overall, 1-3 Big 12) are preparing for intrastate rival Kansas State (2-4, 0-4) certainly should help them regain their focus.
“I suppose you could say that, yeah,” Allen agreed. “We have to get through it, though. Having K-State is always a great opportunity.”
The Jayhawks haven’t made much of their opportunities so far. Perhaps most frustrating in their loss to Mizzou (3-3, 2-2) was having a two-touchdown lead heading into the second quarter before surrendering 21 unanswered points to MU.
“When you get up 14-0 and, I think, we had the ball back we had chances there,” Allen said shortly after the emotional loss. “This is going to be a damn coach’s nightmare because you look back at it and there’s so many times maybe we could have put them out of play.
“But the bottom line and the reality of the situation is Missouri 38, Kansas 34.”
Somewhat surprising is that the Tigers had no trouble moving the ball after the first quarter.
During the final three quarters, Mizzou scored all 38 of its points, gained 197 of its 231 yards rushing and 199 of its 246 yards passing. MU also owned a 6-minute, 36-second edge in time of possession during the closing 45 minutes.
But the only number that mattered to the Jayhawks afterward was the final margin.
“I really don’t know the stats or anything that happened,” KU senior defensive tackle Marquis Hayes said, “but I know from the scoreboard that we couldn’t stop them.”
Ironically, the Kansas defense had been feeling pretty good following last week’s 38-10 loss to then-No. 3 Oklahoma.
The Jayhawks allowed just three points off consecutive OU drives that began on KU’s 36-, 24- and 11-yard lines, and had trailed by a somewhat respectable 24-3 margin heading into the fourth quarter.
The previous performance made Saturday’s loss even tougher to take.
“I feel terrible,” KU senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer said. “This was a hard one to lose, especially when you come out so good in the beginning and then you almost die out there at the end.
“It’s tough, especially losing to your rival. It’s tough.”
Added Hayes, “This was a must-win situation. Now we have to keep our heads up and keep on going forward, try to go on to K-State, a big rivalry, beat them and try to gain some confidence. Carry it on from there.”
As soon as the final gun sounded on Saturday, KU already was looking ahead to the Sunflower State Showdown.
“Our coaches talked about, ‘We can’t recall the last time we beat K-State,'” KU red-shirt freshman quarterback Mario Kinsey said. “It’s going to be a big game for us. They’ve been having trouble this season and it seems like as we go on we’ve been getting better and better. I hope things turn out right.”
For the record, the Jayhawks’ last victory over the Wildcats was a 31-7 thumping at Memorial Stadium in 1992. Kickoff this weekend is 2:30 p.m. at KSU Stadium.
Injury update: Adding injury to insult for Kansas in Saturday’s setback was losing junior linebacker Leo Etienne (dislocated shoulder) and sophomore wide receiver Derick Mills (left ankle sprain).
Etienne had been the Jayhawks’ second-leading tackler prior to the game with 55, including a team-leading 43 solo stops.
“Actually, he’s doing pretty well considering he dislocated his shoulder,” Allen said Sunday. “It went back in right away. I don’t know that he’ll play this week, but he won’t have to have surgery right away so we’re optimistic he’ll be able to return.”
Of Mills, Allen said, “He’s fine.”
The winners are: KU’s weekly award recipients were junior linebacker Greg Cole (who replaced Etienne) on defense, Mills (two touchdown receptions) on offense, and Roger Ross (four punt returns for a career-high 110 yards) on special teams.
The scout team players of the week were junior linebacker Ronnie Franks and freshman running back Tony Stubbs; senior special teams standout Brandon Wier had the hit of the game; and Kinsey’s 24-yard TD toss to Mills was the play of the game.
