Notebook: Gordon just happy to play well — on offense or defense

By Ryan Wood     Nov 12, 2005

It’s been a pretty quirky week for Kansas University junior Charles Gordon.

First, the junior who arguably is KU’s top playmaker had zero catches in the Jayhawks’ 40-15 victory over Nebraska. Then, he was mildly hurt in a postgame celebration when a man fell into the back of Gordon’s legs.

A few days later, he was named semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, an honor given to college football’s top defensive back. Oddly enough, Gordon doesn’t play a whole lot of cornerback anymore — he’s moved to wide receiver.

He’ll still take pride in the mention, of course.

“I’m excited,” Gordon said. “I just thank God that my talents are being recognized. I’ve been working hard, so that hard work is paying off.”

Gordon said he wasn’t getting much work on defense anymore, but coach Mark Mangino won’t hesitate to throw him back out there.

The defense, right now, just doesn’t need him. With Theo Baines returned from injury and Aqib Talib’s emergence into a shutdown cover corner, Gordon might help the team most at offense, KU’s weak facet.

“He’s one of the best all-around players in the country,” Mangino said. “If we need him there or on defense, he’ll answer the call.”

Now, the challenge is getting Gordon open at wide receiver. He didn’t get a touch against the Huskers, and has 20 catches for 160 yards this season.

“When I’m out there on offense, I attract a lot of attention,” Gordon said. “Before the ball’s even snapped, sometimes I hear the defense saying ‘Watch number three.’

“Like I’ve been saying all along,” Gordon said, “I just want to win.”

¢ Clone?: It wasn’t thought of as a scout-team option — partly because Charlton Keith probably would’ve quit the team first.

Similarities exist between Keith and Texas quarterback Vince Young. Both are roughly 6-foot-5, 230 pounds. Both are remarkable athletes. Both are well on their way to All-Big 12 Conference honors.

Heck, both were quarterbacks in high school, too.

Of course, having Keith imitate Young against KU’s defense in practice would be foolish, because, well, Keith is on KU’s defense.

Still, if asked, Keith had a boisterous “NO!” waiting in his voice box.

“I was pretty athletic, I could run a little bit,” Keith said of his quarterback days. “But I didn’t like to get hit at all. That was my main decision for switching to defense. I hated getting hit.”

¢ One more year: Big 12 coaches are groaning: Texas quarterback Vince Young is staying for his senior season.

Young has insisted that he was not going pro early, and reiterated it again this week. Texas coach Mack Brown, for one, is euphoric.

“We usually ask the juniors not to talk about it because it’s a distraction,” Brown said. “But he has been adamant about it since he’s been here, and he wants to stay five years.”

Good news for KU: Kansas and Texas aren’t scheduled next season.

¢ This, that: KU gave up a rushing touchdown last week against Nebraska but still has allowed only two in its last 10 games. … Linebacker Brandon Perkins is tied for the Big 12 lead with 8.5 quarterback sacks, and Keith is fourth with 7.5. … Jon Cornish has three 100-yard performances, too, and leads the Jayhawks with 552 rushing yards. … Nick Reid no longer leads the Big 12 in tackles; his 85 stops is one behind Texas A&M’s Justin Warren.

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