Thad Allender/Journal-World PhotoOn a night when so many things went against Kansas University’s football team, several momentum-changing, second-half plays kept the Jayhawks in their season opener.
“You need those kind of plays to be a good football team,” coach Mark Mangino said of KU’s three big-play scores in the second half. “And we needed more of those.”
But the Jayhawks only got one big play from their offense in a 28-20 loss to Northwestern Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
KU missed what would have been the first big-time play of the season when Mark Simmons’ apparent touchdown pass from Bill Whittemore in the back of the end zone was ruled out of bounds on the Jayhawks’ first drive in the third quarter.
Things were easier for Northwestern running back Jason Wright, who scored four touchdowns and tied his own career-high rushing record with 196 yards.
But on a fourth-and-one deep in KU territory the senior was blown up in the backfield when Kansas safety Jonathan Lamb tackled Wright behind the line of scrimmage for a six-yard loss, and more importantly, a turnover on downs.
“Big plays just get people fired up and ready to go,” Lamb said. “It was just a big momentum swing.”
Was it ever.
Kansas’ offense, which had amassed 87 passing yards in the first half, nearly equaled that total with a big play of its own — when Simmons turned a quick pass upfield into a three-cutback, 74-yard touchdown sprint.
And the Jayhawks weren’t done.
A minute and a half later, KU defensive lineman David McMillan snagged a deflected pass and scampered 31 yards untouched into the end zone.
“When it was tied-up 14-14, I’ve never heard the stadium that loud,” Whittemore said. “It left an awfully nice taste in our mouth and something to shoot for.”
Like a shot at victory, which Kansas again put itself in position for in the fourth when linebacker Darren Rus picked up a blocked Northwestern punt and proudly postured himself 20 yards into the end zone.
“It was the turning point in the game,” said Rus, a sophomore from Overland Park Aquinas. “We’re down by a touchdown, we knew we needed to do something.”
Rus did, but unfortunately for the Jayhawks the big plays ended with his.
On the Jayhawks’ very next snap punter Curtis Ansel couldn’t hold onto the ball, and a group of Northwestern defenders fell on him, stopping the extra-point attempt — which allowed the Wildcats to maintain the lead.
“You’re always going to have big plays, and I understand that,” said KU linebacker Banks Floodman. “But a few plays in there shouldn’t have happened.”
Hear Mark: Post-game remarks
WIBW video: KU stopped by Northwestern
Box score