Misunderstanding?
KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said before Tuesday’s news conference that a publicized non-interview between coach Mark Mangino and ESPN sideline reporter Jack Arute during KU’s 19-14 victory over Colorado was just a “miscommunication.”
Typically, a TV sideline reporter will talk to the coach of the winning team as he’s heading into the locker room on camera, and the coach of the losing team after halftime off camera. Arute, though, interviewed Colorado coach Dan Hawkins on camera despite KU being up 3-0 at halftime.
Arute then said on the air in the third quarter that Mangino wouldn’t talk to him after halftime.
“They changed what they said they were going to do,” Marchiony rebutted.
Marchiony said KU and ESPN have straightened it out, and it shouldn’t be an issue for Saturday’s game at Texas A&M, which will be shown on ESPN2.
Running the ball
Though quarterback Todd Reesing’s strength certainly is his passing ability, he’s just good enough to keep defenses thinking about his scrambling, too. Reesing has 215 rushing yards this season, including a 53-yard scamper against Colorado that marks KU’s longest run from scrimmage this season.
“He’s been ragging on me all week that he’s got the high-end gear I don’t have,” speedy running back Jake Sharp said with a laugh. “It’s good. I’m happy for Todd. He’s a playmaker, and having him on the field is definitely beneficial to us.”
No more delays
Despite using a new offense with a new way of signaling in plays from the sideline, KU has been whistled for a delay-of-game penalty only one time in the first seven games.
It happened during the first quarter of Saturday’s 19-14 victory over Colorado.
“That was my fault,” Reesing said, “but I think the ref set that 25-second clock pretty fast. Coaches agreed.
“Usually, with the ways we get the plays in and how fast we’re going, I get a feel for how much time we have,” Reesing said. “That came out of nowhere. That’s on my shoulders, but I don’t think it will happen again.”
Aggie injury update
The Aggies are getting their health back, it appears.
Cornerback Jordan Peterson, who also returns punts, is expected to play against Kansas after missing the Nebraska game because of injury.
Also, Aggies coach Dennis Franchione said he was hopeful, but not sure, that tight end Martellus Bennett would be available Saturday after also missing last week’s game with an undisclosed setback.
Players of the game
KU senior Kyle Tucker was named special teams player of the week, after displaying clutchness while punting at Colorado and also executing a difficult hold on Scott Webb’s 48-yard, first-half field goal.
James Holt (15 tackles) and Justin Thornton (interception) split defensive honors, while Reesing was cited for offense.
Maybe, maybe not
Kansas coach Mark Mangino was noncommittal when asked if cornerback Kendrick Harper would return from an undisclosed injury this week.
“We don’t give status reports,” Mangino said Tuesday, “but if I did, I’d say he’s probably questionable for this week’s game.”
Harper suffered the injury Aug. 3, the first day of preseason camp. He started to practice on a limited basis last week, and will continue to inch more and more toward full workouts before Saturday’s game against Florida International.
Another spot for Aqib?
Mangino was asked an interesting question Tuesday: With KU struggling in the punt-return department against Toledo, would the playmaking Aqib Talib ever be considered?
“We have worked Aqib there in the past,” Mangino replied. “He’s not bad at that. His personality is such, though, that he is an attack player.”
That overaggressiveness could cause unneeded mistakes, Mangino said.
For now, Raimond Pendleton and Dezmon Briscoe will continue to get the work returning punts. Pendleton returned one 77 yards for a touchdown in the opening week but struggled retaining possession Saturday against Toledo.
No more tickets
The Oct. 6 game between Kansas and Kansas State is a sellout, the K-State athletic department announced Tuesday.
The 50,000-seat Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be full for the game, as it usually is when KU travels to Manhattan.
The start time for the Sunflower Showdown will be announced Monday. There is a chance of it getting picked up for a live television broadcast. That, too, will be announced Monday.
Stuckey, Sharp honored
KU’s coaching staff picked Darrell Stuckey as the defensive player of the week for the Toledo game, after Stuckey recorded three tackles and the team’s first interception of the season in KU’s 45-13 victory.
Jake Sharp, who had 127 yards on 13 carries, was cited on offense, while Micah Brown earned the honor on special teams.
New commitment
Rivals.com reported Monday that Kansas received a non-binding oral commitment from Ben Lueken, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound offensive lineman from St. Louis.
Lueken is rated by Rivals as the 20th-best prospect in Missouri for the class of 2008. He was in Lawrence for the Toledo game as an unofficial visitor and committed after he returned home.
“The coaching staff believed in me before anybody else,” Lueken said. “They offered me a scholarship early on, and that meant a lot to me.”
KU has eight known commitments for the 2008 class. Lueken is the first offensive lineman.
Cornish honored: KU running back Jon Cornish was named Big 12 offensive player of the week for his 201-yard, 25-carry performance against Kansas State.
Cornish is the first Jayhawk to be honored this year on offense, defense or special teams. In addition to the yardage, he had touchdown runs of 13 and 12 yards.
Defensive back Reggie Smith of Oklahoma snagged defensive honors, while OU kick returner Juaquin Iglesias picked up special teams honors.
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Franklin out: Missouri coach Gary Pinkel confirmed Monday that top wide receiver Will Franklin will not play against Kansas.
“He had a labrum tear in his shoulder and he’ll be out,” Pinkel said. “It’s unfortunate because he’s a great football player. He’s one of the best players on our offense.”
Franklin is the Tigers’ leading receiver with 46 catches for 793 yards and six touchdowns. Freshman Jared Perry is expected to see more playing time as a result.
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Moore doing better: Kansas State cornerback Josh Moore was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday night after colliding viciously with teammate Chris Carney and being taken off the field on a stretcher during the Kansas game.
Kansas State officials have been mum about what particularly ailed Moore, but coach Ron Prince said Monday he expects Moore to play again in the future.
“He’s in good spirits,” Prince said. “I went over and saw him Saturday night after the game. He was in our team meeting yesterday.
“He’s going to have some lingering effects from that kind of hit. But as far as his ability to play again, i believe he will.”
Kansas University’s football team will modify its practice schedule slightly this week in preparation for Missouri.
With Thanksgiving on Thursday and no classes to work around, the Jayhawks will practice Thursday morning and allow players to travel home – provided they live within two hours of Lawrence – Thursday evening. The traveling squad then will meet Friday morning before driving to Columbia, Mo., on Friday afternoon.
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QB commit: Kansas picked up a recruiting commitment Saturday amidst the hoopla of the Kansas State victory.
A.J. Steward, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback out of St. Louis, made an oral commitment to Kansas over the weekend, according to Rivals.com. Rivals said Steward was being recruited hard by Kansas, Kansas State and Indiana.
Steward passed for 1,500 yards and rushed for another 1,000 at Riverview Gardens High. He was looked at as a quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker by several schools, but projects as a quarterback at Kansas.
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Bowl projections: Collegefootballnews.com has Kansas back in the bowl hunt, projecting the Jayhawks to snag an at-large bid and play Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 19.
CBS Sportsline picks Kansas to play in the Motor City Bowl – another at-large opportunity – against Central Michigan.
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Up next: Like you need to be reminded. Kansas travels to Missouri for an 11 a.m. game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The game will be televised by ABC.
Kansas opened as a seven-point underdog Sunday evening.
