The virtual Don Fambrough had to have a smile on his face after this one.
A 23-yard field goal by virtual Kansas University kicker Scott Webb at the end of regulation lifted the virtual Jayhawks to a 24-21 victory over the virtual Missouri Tigers this virtual Saturday at virtual Memorial Stadium.
“I’m happy, and it’s satisfying because I know how much this game means to the people in the state of Kansas,” virtual KU coach Mark Mangino might say, considering he said the same thing after his real life Jayhawks defeated the Tigers 31-14 in Columbia, Mo., last year.
“I know it’s important to them, and we never want to let our fans down.”
Thanks to the virtual Webb’s short boot, the virtual Jayhawks didn’t, even though a strong comeback from the virtual Tigers put MU on the brink of victory in the virtual Border Showdown.
Get the stats: KU-MU virtual box
score“I’m disappointed,” MU’s virtual quarterback Brad Smith would probably say, considering that’s the quote he used after last year’s lopsided loss to KU.
“What it was supposed to be doesn’t matter. It’s what it is and dealing with what it is right now.”
Unlike this year’s tangible KU squad, Saturday’s virtual victory move the virtual Jayhawks to 5-3 on the season and 2-3 in the virtual Big 12 conference — meaning that with one more win KU’s becomes virtual bowl eligible.
This virtual win didn’t look as easy as the tangible Jayhawks last two victories over the Tigers though.
Starter Jason Swanson threw an interception on the Jayhawks very first play from scrimmage but was bailed out when MU defensive back Marucs King fumbled the ball right back.
Swanson took advantage of his mulligan, and hit a wide-open Marcus Hereford for a 81-yard touchdown just 15 seconds into the game.
The virtual Jayhawks luck continued when virtual MU signal caller Brad Smith had a ball picked off by Nick Reid.
Virtual Kansas added another score when the virtual Clark Green tiptoed into the end zone two minutes later, capping off a 10-play 80-yard drive with a seven yard run.
But the virtual Jayhawks two-touchdown lead didn’t stay that big for long.
Smith, who unlike his past two real-life contests against KU, accounted for 344 yards of combined offense.
His 17-yard touchdown scamper right before halftime cut the Jayhawks advantage to 14-7.
Another short touchdown run by Smith in the third tied the contest, and Smith’s 81-yard scoring strike to wideout Sean Coffey with 5:55 left in the game gave virtual MU’s its first lead.
It was short-lived though.
Despite Swanson being forced to leave the game with what appeared to be a sprained ankle, virtual KU found the end zone thanks to a Brian Luke led drive that was capped off with Mark Simmons 14-yard touchdown.
Feeding off the momentum, KU’s defense stepped up and shut down Smith on the Tigers final drive of the game.
Luke wound down the clock by handing the ball off to Jon Cornish and Clark Green.
Then with just 11 ticks left on the clock, Webb nailed a short shot through the uprights for the victory and causing Fambrough’s grin to grow.
“I don’t call it a showdown,” the virtual Fambrough might say, considering the real one uttered those exact words. “It’s not a showdown. It’s a damn war. They started the war, and eventually we’re going to end it.”
Editor’s Note: With Simien having returned Wednesday against Iowa State, we’ve added him back to the game in place of Nick Bahe, leaving Alex Galindo in the lineup. We also put Christian Moody back in the starting lineup in anticipation of him being ready to play Saturday.
Just like the real-life men’s basketball game Wednesday against Iowa State, our virtual Wayne Simien and Keith Langford led the X-Factor Jayhawks to victory in this week’s simulation.
|
Kansas defeated Colorado, 91-70, in this week’s virtual match-up behind 33 points from Langford and 12 points and four rebounds from Simien.
The Jayhawks led for most of the first 10 minutes, but the Buffaloes fought back and tied the game at 32-32 late in the half. Kansas didn’t falter, though, reeling off 15 straight points and going into halftime with a 47-32 lead.
Kansas continued its strong play in the second half, outscoring Colorado, 44-38, after intermission. The Jayhawks upped their field-goal percentage from 45.9 percent in the first half to 58.1 percent in the second half.
Langford was named KU’s player of the game for his 33 points, which came on 11-of-11 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 shooting from the foul line. Fellow senior Aaron Miles chipped in with 12 points and nine assists.
Christian Moody had eight points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals, and Moulaye Niang, C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun combined for nine points, six rebounds and 13 blocks.
Richard Roby was named Colorado’s player of the game after scoring 23 points. Lamont Arrington added 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, and Marcus Hall added 16 points and four assists.
Giddens comes down after a fast-break slam
Basketball X-Factor home page