David McMillan’s career was a model of consistency, health and surviving the daily grind.
His last game went above and beyond — a model of defensive domination, play-making and a glorious way to say goodbye.
For McMillan, Kansas University’s mainstay at defensive end the last three years, KU’s 31-14 victory Saturday over rival Missouri was a great way for the senior to go — maybe his best game ever. With 36 consecutive starts to his credit, there were plenty to choose from, too.
“To watch it on tape is a sight to behold,” Mangino said of McMillan’s swan song. “In the second half, he totally dominated his side of the line of scrimmage.”
Such a performance was record-setting, according to the KU coach. When grading players on film the day after games, the coaching staff keeps a “big plays” statistic, and McMillan set a team record Saturday with nine — three sacks, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and four quarterback pressures.
No wonder MU quarterback Brad Smith was ineffective Saturday — McMillan, Travis Watkins and the rest of the defensive line always had Smith antsy, even when the Jayhawks conservatively rushed just three players.
“The defensive line putting pressure on the quarterback was awfully impressive,” Mangino said.
McMillan’s efforts likely will put him in strong contention for Big 12 Conference defensive player-of-the-week honors, which are released today, and it may have boosted his professional stock, too. For the season, McMillan finished with seven sacks, six other tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.
McMillan was showered heavily with post-film praise by Mangino on Sunday, but he wasn’t the only one. Mangino spent much of his time with reporters dishing out compliments, from the offensive line to quarterback Brian Luke to running back Clark Green to kicker Johnny Beck. The coach even lauded the kickoff coverage team, which once again denied any big returns by the opposition.
With the defense refusing to budge, the Tigers didn’t have many chances to shoot for the end zone Saturday.
“We’re trying to compile stats now, but I don’t recall being around many teams, if any, that had as many inside-the-20 tackles,” Mangino said of the kickoff coverage, which was led by Clark McCracken, Kenneth Thompson, Jerome Kemp and Brandon McAnderson, among others. “Those kids have given our defense very good field position all season long.”
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Players of the week: McMillan was named KU’s defensive player of the game by the Jayhawk coaching staff Sunday, hardly a surprise to anybody.
Meanwhile, the offensive player of the week honor was split three ways, between receiver Brandon Rideau (eight catches, 100 yards, touchdown), Green (149 total yards, touchdown) and Luke (24-of-36 passing, 239 yards, two touchdowns).
Special teams honors went to Beck, who closed out his Kansas career by booting a 35-yard field goal late, putting the Jayhawks’ Border War victory on ice.
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What’s next?: The Jayhawks get the week off to go home for Thanksgiving and be with friends and family. Starting Nov. 29, the players will start early-morning offseason workouts that place emphasis on speed, strength and conditioning.
That program will last until finals in mid-December. Then, KU will start its all-out offseason conditioning program upon returning from winter break in January.