What has been impossible in the real world for three and half decades, was all but forgotten thanks to two touchdowns and a stellar defensive performance in our virtual world.
The virtual Brian Murph provided an electric kick-off return for a touchdown on the game’s first play, the virtual Clark Green added another late score and Kansas University’s virtual defense did the rest as the virtual Jayhawks knocked off Nebraska for the first time in 36 years thanks to a 13-10 tally.
“They’ve beat us pretty bad for a long time,” virtual senior linebacker Nick Reid said. “To finally get a win and snap the streak would be huge. Not just for this team, but Kansas fans everywhere.
“They’ve beat us 30-something years straight, and now is as good a time as any to end that.”
Murph said the tempo on this virtual streak-stopping Saturday.
The junior-college transfer took the opening kick 94 yards untouched down the right sideline to start the Jayhawks’ (6-3 overall virtually, 3-3 virtual Big 12) festivities.
From there Green, much like he did in last week’s real-life Missouri game, helped KU take control of the clock. The senior plodded his way to 158 yards on 22 carries.
His short touchdown run late in the fourth quarter not only gave Kansas its first lead since the first quarter, but it kicked off a crazy celebration that ended with the virtual goal posts being submerged in the virtual Potter Lake.
“I think it’s just sweet,” one virtually soaked student might say considering a real life Jayhawk fans said the same thing after KU’s tangible win over Missouri last weekend.
The Kansas supporter no doubt was referencing the virtual Jayhawks first victory since 1968, but he could also have been talking about the virtual Jayhawks venerable defense.
Kansas, as it did last week against Mizzou, limited the Bugeaters new West Coast offensive attack to just 202 yards.
While Cory Ross did have a 22-yard touchdown scamper to give NU its first lead in the second quarter, the Jayhawks stepped up and made life miserable on Cornhusker quarterback Zac Taylor.
Taylor often was backpedaling and off-balance because of KU’s intense pass rush. Saturday’s windy conditions also wreaked havoc on the ‘Skers’ passing game.
“When we get somebody down, it is our job to finish them off,” the virtual Reid would likely continue, considering he said the same thing earlier in the week at KU’s weekly news conference.
“That was something we didn’t do last year so we have focused on it all year. We take pride in not letting people get back into the game once they are down.”
NU kicker Jordan Congdon connected on a pair of field goals, including a 42-yarder to put the Cornhuskers ahead 13-7 with 5:57 to go in the fourth.
But the virtual Jayhawks responded with perhaps their biggest drive in years.
Swanson started KU’s drive at its own 22-yard line with a short dump pass to the virtual Charles Gordon, who took the delivery and scooted 14 yards.
After three consecutive handoffs to Green, the Jayhawks were setting up nicely with a first-and-10 at the NU 45.
Another handoff to Green, a pass over the middle to Derek Fine and a scramble by Swanson took the Jayhawks inside the NU 20 with two minutes to go.
Finally Green finished the drive and all the years of frustration when he plunged into the end zone with 1:01 showing on the clock.
“I wanted to stay out there all night and celebrate with the fans,” Reid might again say considering he uttered those words after real life KU’s big victory over K-State last season. “It was awesome. I wish we could do that every game.”
Despite missing center Jason Fraser with a broken hand, the virtual Villanova Wildcats gave the Kansas Jayhawks a run for their money in this week’s X-Factor before falling to KU, 105-94.
The Jayhawks led in the opening minutes, but ended up trailing for much of the middle of the first half, before finally taking the lead for good with a run late in the period.
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The Wildcats battled back early in the second half, cutting the Jayhawks’ lead to just a point, 63-62, but Kansas scored 14 of the next 18 points before holding off Villanova the rest of the way en route to the 11-point victory.
Aaron Miles was named KU’s player of the game for his 26 points and eight assists, though J.R. Giddens may have had a more complete game with 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and seven blocks.
Keith Langford scored 23 points for KU, and C.J. Giles added 10 points and four blocks.
Allan Ray led Villanova with 32 points, including 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range. He also had six rebounds and four assists.
Randy Foye had 25 points, and Curtis Sumpter and Mike Nardi added 10 points each, with Nardi adding nine assists. Sumpter also pulled down eight rebounds and held Wayne Simien to just four points on 2-of-5 shooting. Will Sheridan had six blocks for the Wildcats.
6Sports video: Jayhawks to face Huskers (11-05-05)
Cover Gallery: The KU-NU Rivalry
On the Street: Do you think KU will be able to beat Nebraska for the first time since 1968? (11-05-05)
Parking, tailgating map
X-Factor Game 9: Kansas 13, Nebraska 10
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