We’ve done our research here.
Rather than just guessing how today’s Kansas-UCLA football game will turn out, we’ve gone high-tech, and contacted two experts to simulate the entire game for us. David Winbush, former Kansas running back, and his brother, Christopher Winbush, faced off in a battle of PlayStation College Football 2002. And the results were stunningly positive for Jayhawk fans.
Kansas wins, 63-50. You heard it here first, folks.
David Winbush predicted right off the bat that his Jayhawks would triumph.
“Not only do I know these guys personally, I know how to play,” he said confidently.
Christopher Winbush wasn’t about to let the big talk of little brother intimidate him. Besides, this Winbush played his fair share of college football too, playing for McNeese State from 1992-1996.
“I know what I have to do,” Christopher Winbush said. “I’m going to put the ball in the air. We’re running a West Coast offense.”
Leading up to every Kansas University football game, the Journal-World will hold an NCAA 2002 PlayStation 2 Challenge, pairing a representative from KU with the Jayhawks’ opponent. If you are a KU alumnus or a graduate of a school that is playing the Jayhawks in football this season, and you are interested in challenging an opponent at NCAA 2002, please contact Andrew Hartsock at 832-7216 or e-mail ahartsock@ljworld.com.
The rivalry between brothers was severe from the opening play. After an early UCLA touchdown, Christopher Winbush celebrated by slapping his little brother on the back. The slap almost resulted in a couch-clearing brawl.
“Don’t touch me, dog,” David Winbush snapped. “We’re playing!”
After the teams refocused, UCLA got a look at Midwest offense and the golden arm of Kansas quarterback Zach Dyer. Completing an amazing 26 of 31 passes, he finished the game with six touchdowns and 538 passing yards. Grumblings among media at the game had Dyer pegged as the newest Heisman hopeful.
After one long bomb to Roger Ross, David Winbush put his 38-inch vertical leap on display and jumped in the air in celebration. His brother looked away, sensing the Kansas offense was unstoppable. Kansas finished the half with a one-touchdown lead, 21-14.
The two teams battled back and fourth in the second half, scoring on each other at will. The offensive fireworks had both players shocked.
“This is more like a girls high school basketball score then a football score,” Christopher Winbush said in dismay.
The game was far from decided late in the fourth quarter. With the score tied 42-42 and 2:13 left on the MegaVision scoreboard, David Winbush pulled off a little sly coaching with an on-side kick. The ploy worked as Kansas recovered the ball. The scorching-hot Dyer led his squad down the field for another touchdown in less than a minute.
David Winbush declared that coaching move the decisive point of the game.
“It was a close game going back and forth, so I pulled out an on-side kick,” he explained. “Who’s gonna expect that? UCLA sure didn’t.”
Christopher Winbush wasn’t so ready to declare the move a brave one.
“That was a gutless call on the on-side kick,” he said. “He knows that a real coach would never do that!”
“Yeah, but it won us the game!” shouted David Winbush, who had taken his celebration into the kitchen.
The postgame celebration was so fervent by the fans, that not only were both field goals ripped down, but the artificial playing turf was also ripped up from the ground.
“This is our biggest victory since we beat No. 14 Colorado in 1998,” David Winbush shouted.
