Floodman flying high

By David Mitchell     Sep 25, 2003

Bill Snead/Journal-World Photo
Sophomore linebacker Banks Floodman will make his first start against Missouri Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Banks Floodman watched the majority of Kansas University’s football games from the sideline last season.

During the Jayhawks’ 36-12 loss Oct. 26 at Columbia, Mo., he couldn’t even do that.

“I stayed home and listened to it in my room on the radio,” said Floodman, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2002 opener at Iowa State. “It was tough. I just can’t stand to listen to my teammates and not being able to help them. It was tough enough to watch the games on the sidelines.

“It was something I don’t think any player wants to experience, and I don’t ever want to experience it again. But I get to play this weekend.”

Floodman, a former Wichita Collegiate standout, will make his first start against Missouri Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks (3-1) and the 23rd-ranked Tigers (4-0) enter the Border War with winning records for the first time since 1997.

Thad Allender/Journal-World File Photo
Kansas University defenders Banks Floodman, right, Gabe Toomey, center, and Nick Reid celebrate after a play against Nevada-Las Vegas Sept. 6. Floodman, Toomey and Reid are KU's top three tacklers.

“This is the most excited I’ve seen the team since I’ve been here,” said Floodman, a third-year sophomore. “Everyone’s running around excited at practice. It’s the biggest game we’ve played since we’ve been here. Now we’re excited to see what we can do. If you can’t get up for this, you can’t get up for any game.”

Floodman suffered an undisclosed injury two weeks ago and sat out the second half at Wyoming. The co-captain came back last week and had seven tackles and broke up a pass in KU’s 41-6 victory against Jacksonville State.

“He has a lot of fire and determination,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “He’s highly respected by his peers and the coaching staff because he’s totally committed to helping this program be successful.”

Floodman is one of three sophomore starters at linebacker. Junior-college transfer Gabe Toomey, Nick Reid and Floodman are KU’s top three tacklers.

“I see constant improvement from Gabe Toomey as he learns our system,” Mangino said. “He is more and more confident. Banks Floodman is starting to feel better after coming off injury and turned in a strong performance last week.”

Reid is coming on strong, too, after being “banged up,” Mangino said, in the opener against Northwestern.

Two of KU’s backup linebackers — Kevin Kane and Brandon Perkins — also are sophomores. Kane has eight tackles, and Perkins leads the team with three sacks.

“I felt that last week they played their best game as a unit,” Mangino said. “We need to have those guys step up every weekend, and those guys have that kind of mentality now.”

  • Going fast: As of Wednesday afternoon, Kansas had sold 44,600 tickets for Saturday’s game. The crowd likely will be KU’s largest for a home game since Nebraska drew 50,750 in 2001. The last time a home game against Missouri drew close to a sellout was in 1995 when 11th-ranked KU beat Missouri, 42-23, in front of 46,300 spectators.
  • Anderson ailing: Junior tight end Lyonel Anderson suffered an undisclosed injury last Saturday against Jacksonville State and might be held out of the Mizzou game.

“I’m not optimistic about Lyonel,” Mangino said after Wednesday night’s practice. “That doesn’t mean he’s completely ruled out, but I’m not optimistic.”

If Anderson can’t play, senior Denver Latimore would start.

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