Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     May 29, 2008

Summer conditioning starts Monday

After getting a break once the spring semester wrapped up, the Jayhawks will start summer conditioning drills Monday.

The summer workouts are optional, but the coaches also have the option of benching anyone who decides not to attend.

Therefore, a full roster is expected to participate this summer – like every year.

Camp time in Lawrence

KU will have seven camps this year for youths grades 4-12. The first one, for the young ones, starts June 5.

The camp likely to attract the most star power – recruiting targets, perhaps – will be the Super Jayhawk Camp for high school juniors and seniors. It is a daylong camp June 14.

Linebacker commits

Kansas received a non-binding oral commitment from Earnest Norman, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound linebacker out of Euless, Texas.

Norman is a standout at Euless Trinity High, one of the top high school football programs in Texas.

Norman picked Kansas over Kansas State, Washington State, Tulsa and Duke.

The Jayhawks presently have four known commitments for the 2009 class – two on offense and two on defense.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 15, 2008

Crawford watches

Decked out in KU gear, incoming running back Jocques Crawford watched the spring game Monday from the stands.

“Watching the spring game kind of hurt,” Crawford said. “I wanted to be out there bad.”

Crawford is finishing up at Cisco (Texas) Junior College and will move to Lawrence on June 1. KU coach Mark Mangino has said more than once he expects Crawford to make an immediate impact. Crawford said Monday he’s shooting for the starting job.

“I really like my chances,” Crawford said.

No Larson

KU defensive end John Larson did not suit up Monday because of illness. Junior Maxwell Onyegbule played defensive end on the Blue team along with Russell Brorsen.

In addition, the three regular starters who missed the entire spring were dressed out but didn’t play. Center Ryan Cantrell, linebacker Joe Mortensen and safety Justin Thornton all are recovering from leg injuries, but all walked around on the sideline.

Punt-return duties

Considering KU’s season-long struggles with punt returns, it’s no surprise that two new faces were fielding kicks.

Freshmen Rell Lewis and Ryan Murphy both worked on catching punts. But there was no chance to return – KU’s traditional spring game rules call for no live special teams to minimize injury risks.

Both players, however, dropped at least one fair catch.

Other roster notes

Reserve offensive lineman Jason Hind no longer is listed on the roster. : Gary Green lined up as a wide receiver and caught five passes for 34 yards. He played cornerback in 2007. : Sophomore Phillip Strozier was working at safety. : Arist Wright had 10 tackles and a pass break-up in the end zone, after missing the Orange Bowl due to injury.

In attendance

Several former players were at Monday’s game, including James McClinton, Marcus Henry, Jeff Foster, David Ochoa and Chip Budde.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 3, 2008

First ball honors

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino will throw the first pitch at the Kansas City Royals’ home opener Tuesday.

Still at the top

Former KU cornerback Aqib Talib continues to be considered a probable first-round selection in the NFL Draft later this month.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Talib going seventh overall to the New England Patriots. NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan slots Talib at No. 16 to the Arizona Cardinals, while ESPN’s Todd McShay has Talib going 18th overall to the Houston Texans.

McShay also projects the second round, and former KU offensive tackle Anthony Collins is there, going 40th overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL Draft will start April 26 in New York.

Zlatnik shines

KU football recruit Duane Zlatnik earned All-American status on the wrestling mat last week, placing seventh at the Senior National Championship on Saturday in Virginia Beach, Va.

Zlatnik, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder out of Rossville, will enroll at Kansas this summer and play defensive end.

Up next

Kansas was scheduled to conduct its ninth practice of the spring season on Wednesday. The next practice will start at 3:30 p.m. Friday, and will be open to the public.

The practice will be conducted at the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Mar 13, 2008

Same ol’ Slash

Utility man Kerry Meier will keep a similar role for the time being – backup quarterback and part-time wide receiver on offense.

With Marcus Henry and Derek Fine lost to graduation, Meier’s pass-catching could be more needed.

“Somebody’s got to pick up that slack offensively,” offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said. “We have other receivers, but Kerry’s surely a guy that we can probably double his output at receiver.”

Meier had 26 catches for 274 yards and two touchdowns in 2007.

In addition, Meier will work as the No. 1 punter in the spring, largely because incoming punter Alonso Rojas won’t enroll until the summer.

Tackle battle

With the departure of Anthony Collins and Cesar Rodriguez, an intriguing position battle will emerge at both left tackle and right tackle this spring.

The competition looks to feature four players: senior Matt Darton, junior Nathan D’Cunha, sophomore Ian Wolfe and freshman Jeff Spikes.

KU coach Mark Mangino seemed especially high on Spikes, though it doesn’t mean one of the jobs is his.

“He’s young,” Mangino said, “: but at the end of the day, he’ll be one of the most talented offensive linemen we’ve had here.”

All about numbers

The four mid-year scholarship transfers all have been assigned uniforms numbers: D’Cunha will wear 75, receiver Rod Harris will don 85, tight end Nick Plato will sport 82 and quarterback Kale Pick will wear 19.

As for the prestigious No. 3? Nobody has it yet. Cornerback Chris Harris and receiver Dezmon Briscoe both want it, but it probably won’t be assigned until this summer.

Previous No. 3 wearers were All-Big 12 corners Charles Gordon and Aqib Talib.

“Aqib wants me to have it,” Harris claims. “I’d be grateful to take that number.”

Up next

The Jayhawks held their first practice of the spring Wednesday, without pads.

Their next scheduled workout will be Friday, and it’s one of two open to the public.

The practice is expected to start around 3:30 p.m. and be conducted on the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Mar 12, 2008

Three out

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino confirmed Tuesday that three starters would not be participating in spring practices due to injuries: linebacker Joe Mortensen, center Ryan Cantrell and safety Justin Thornton.

Mangino said he expected all three to be ready for the season. All were on crutches at KU’s awards banquet Saturday, with Thornton sporting a hard cast on his left ankle – reportedly from a basketball injury.

Cantrell was wearing a boot on his left foot and is being held out in part because he’s a veteran.

“We just felt like, in his fifth year, his health was more important than getting spring repetitions,” Mangino said. “He’ll work out in the weight room, he’ll work out all summer. He’ll be sharp at two-a-days and be ready for opening day.”

USF game moved

KU’s nonconference game at South Florida has been moved to Friday, Sept. 12, for television purposes. The game originally was scheduled for Sept. 13.

The matchup will kick off at 7 p.m. from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. It will be televised by ESPN2.

Pro Day a hit

KU had its annual Pro Day to showcase area talent for professional scouts.

The scouts came in droves – 37 of them from 27 teams. The list included Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson.

In all, 14 players worked out Tuesday, including 11 players from the 2007 KU team: Aqib Talib, Anthony Collins, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson, Marcus Henry, Derek Fine, Jeff Foster, Sadiq Muhammed, Marc Jones, Scott Webb and Kyle Tucker.

The other three were former KU defensive linemen Rodney Allen and Eric Butler and Washburn defensive back Cary Williams.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Mar 11, 2008

House recognizes KU

The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to pass a resolution Monday night congratulating the KU football team for its 2007 season, which concluded with a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

The resolution originally was submitted by Kansas representative Nancy Boyda on behalf of herself, Dennis Moore, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt. It was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.

Interesting note about the resolution, submitted on Jan. 29: The score of the game was incorrectly listed as 24-20, and All-America cornerback Aqib Talib’s first name was spelled “Aquib.”

KU expects both those facts to be corrected in the final version.

Mortensen watched

KU linebacker Joe Mortensen has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award.

Mortensen, KU’s middle linebacker, had 106 tackles in 2007 after making the switch from outside linebacker.

However, Mortensen was seen on crutches at Saturday’s awards banquet with a brace on his left knee.

Mortensen was playing through a knee injury late in the 2007 season, but it actually was his right knee causing his problems then.

Pro Day today

Many NFL scouts are expected to be in Lawrence today as KU conducts its annual pro day.

Several former Jayhawks – including Talib, Anthony Collins, Derek Fine, Marcus Henry and Brandon McAnderson – are expected to work out this morning in hopes of luring the interest of professional teams.

At least two former Jayhawks – Talib and Collins – are certain to get selected in the NFL Draft, which starts April 26 in New York.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Mar 1, 2008

Spring schedule set

Kansas University’s football team will open two of its practices to the public this spring, not including the April 12 spring game at Memorial Stadium.

Two Friday workouts – March 14 and April 4 – will be open for fans wishing to get their football fix. The March 14 practice will be KU’s second of the spring.

Practice times are 3:30 p.m. each day, and the workouts will be conducted on the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

The spring game will be held at Memorial Stadium, though no kickoff time has been announced yet.

Already started

As of now, only one Big 12 Conference school has started spring practices: Texas, which began Feb. 22 and finishes March 29.

The Big 12 South schools, with better weather, generally start a lot earlier than the shivering North schools.

Baylor and Oklahoma State will get under way Monday, with Oklahoma starting next week, too.

The latest to get going? Kansas State, which starts March 29 and has its spring game on April 19.

All schools are allowed 15 practices in the spring season.

Combine effect

Former KU cornerback Aqib Talib seems to be a near-lock to be a first-round NFL draft pick next month, with the NFL Combine now in the past.

Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc., predicts Talib going 16th overall to the Arizona Cardinals. He wasn’t impressed with Talib at the Combine, though, writing that he “showed surprisingly poor technique and frequently looked out of control on pedal-and-turn drills.”

ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper ranks Talib as the eighth-best prospect in the NFL Draft and the top cornerback. He’s recently projected Talib going seventh to the New England Patriots.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 26, 2008

McClinton works out

Former Kansas University defensive tackle James McClinton worked out Monday in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, along with about 50 other defensive linemen.

McClinton didn’t place in the top 10 in any of the tests posted by NFL.com on Monday. His unofficial 40-yard dash time, according to the NFL Network, was an unimpressive 5.49 seconds.

Like other KU products, McClinton will get a chance at redemption on March 11 when Kansas holds its Pro Day.

Up next

The final day of the NFL Combine workouts will feature former KU All-America cornerback Aqib Talib, who will work out with the defensive backs.

According to most draft analysts, Talib has a legitimate shot at being a top-10 pick in April’s draft, especially if he tests well today at the RCA Dome.

Television coverage starts at 10 a.m. on the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband channel 154).

More ESPN coverage

The Big 12 Conference will continue to get exposure on cable giant ESPN.

The league announced Monday that ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast select Big 12 games on Thursdays and Saturdays the next two seasons.

Two 2008 games already have been decided: West Virginia at Colorado on Sept. 18, and Texas A&M at Texas on Nov. 27. Both games are Thursday night telecasts, with the Texas-Texas A&M game being played on Thanksgiving.

Other games will be announced closer to time. Kansas was on ESPN or ESPN2 twice last season, in victories at Colorado and Texas A&M.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 25, 2008

Henry works out

Former Kansas University wide receiver Marcus Henry completed his on-field workout Sunday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Getting tested along with about 55 other receivers, Henry posted the fourth-best mark in the broad jump, spanning 10-foot-6, according to NFL.com.

Henry also had an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.50 seconds, according to the NFL Network, placing him just outside the top 10 of all receivers who ran.

Heated competition

Besides Henry, several Big 12 Conference wideouts were tested Sunday, including Kansas State’s Jordy Nelson, Texas’ Limas Sweed, Oklahoma State’s Adarius Bowman and Missouri’s Will Franklin.

Quarterbacks and running backs also did on-field workouts Sunday at the RCA Dome.

Up next

The defensive linemen and linebackers are up next, which means former KU defensive tackle James McClinton will be put to work this morning.

Television coverage of the Combine starts at 10 a.m. today on the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband channel 154).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 24, 2008

Fine holds his own

Former Kansas University football player Derek Fine had numbers that fared well among the 19 tight ends participating in the NFL Combine workouts on Saturday in Indianapolis.

According to NFL.com, Fine had the third-most bench press repetitions, a test that consists of players seeing how many times they can lift 225 pounds. Fine did it 24 times, surpassed only by California’s Craig Stevens (27) and Purdue’s Dustin Keller (26).

Fine also clocked a time of 6.80 seconds in the three-cone drill, the best among all tight ends. He was second only to Keller in the 20-yard shuttle with a time of 4.19 seconds.

Fine’s two 40-yard dash times were in the 4.8-second range, which didn’t rank among the leaders.

Heated competition

Former KU offensive tackle Anthony Collins, in comparison to his peers, didn’t fare quite as well.

Collins wasn’t among the top 10 in any of the six tests NFL.com posted Saturday evening. However, there are close to 50 offensive linemen working out.

Up next

The offensive skill players -quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers – will do on-field workouts today. That includes former KU standout Marcus Henry, who caught 54 passes for 1,014 yards for the Jayhawks in 2007.

Television coverage starts at 10 a.m. on the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband channel 154).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 14, 2008

Standing by him

KU coach Mark Mangino stressed Wednesday that he regards running-back signee Jocques Crawford as a high-character person.

“Nobody had anything negative to say about him,” Mangino said. “Nobody.”

Crawford, a transfer from Cisco (Texas) Junior College, pleaded guilty in September 2005 to a charge of misdemeanor simple assault for an incident involving a 15-year old girl. Crawford, then 17, was originally charged with aggravated rape before negotiating a plea deal.

“We did our due diligence,” Mangino said. “We uncovered every stone. We talked to everyone we could.

“We had an outside firm do an investigation of him. : I think we did everything we possibly could. We feel very confident in him. He needs a chance. He needs an opportunity, and I think he’ll make the most of it.”

Rewards upcoming

Two scholarships remain unaccounted for, as Kansas only signed 20 players in this class. The 25-scholarship limit already was cut down by three due to NCAA violations committed in 2003.

As for the other two?

“We have a couple of kids in the program who are walk-ons who have contributed in a lot of ways,” Mangino said. “I want to give some scholarships to some walk-on kids.”

Mangino said those scholarships would be awarded for the 2008-09 school year. The reason for the delay likely stems from Academic Progress Rate penalties that would count toward the 2007-08 school year.

KU officials would neither confirm nor deny that the football team is serving APR penalties, though such information is expected to be released sometime this spring.

To be determined

Just one of the 20 signees is listed without a projected position. That’s Harrisonville (Mo.) High’s Sean Ransburg, who’s referred to simply as an athlete. Ransburg was an electric quarterback in high school, but at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds could also project at running back, wide receiver or in the defensive secondary.

“I think we’ll find out when we get here in training camp,” Mangino said. “…He can catch the ball. He’s just a really, really good athlete, and we’ll kind of see where he falls into place.”

Better than advertised

Two high school signees have graduated early and already are enrolled at Kansas – quarterback Kale Pick and tight end Nick Plato.

Pick, a Dodge City product, already has turned heads in Lawrence.

“He is a tremendous athlete,” Mangino said. “In fact, watching him in the morning workouts, he’s much more athletic than he was used as a high school player. He can throw, he can run, he’s strong, he’s quick, and we’re really excited about him.”

In order

Mangino said that all 20 signees should be in good shape to qualify academically.

“There’s a couple of guys we’re awaiting official word to verify it,” Mangino said, “but we don’t anticipate anybody not qualifying.”

Doing fine

Mangino was asked about his health Wednesday, the first time he has faced the media since being admitted into Lawrence Memorial Hospital last month for undisclosed reasons.

“I’m absolutely fine,” Mangino said. “There’s a lot of nosy people that interpret things that they shouldn’t. But I’m doing absolutely fine. I’m healthy as a horse.”

Up next

KU players have another month of winter conditioning workouts ahead before they get the pads on again.

Spring practice starts on March 12. The spring game is scheduled for April 12, a Saturday.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 16, 2008

Recruiting update

One of the most intriguing positions Kansas is pursuing in the final weeks of recruiting is running back, with the loss of Brandon McAnderson to graduation still on the minds of KU coaches.

Kansas currently has two high-profile targets for the position: DeSoto (Texas) High star Cyrus Gray and Cisco (Texas) Community College product Jocques Crawford.

Crawford originally committed to Texas Tech, where his brother Aaron plays, but backed out after Tech revealed it planned to use Jocques at safety. Rivals.com indicates that Kansas, TCU and Mississippi may be battling for the NJCAA’s leading rusher, who plans to graduate from junior college in May.

Gray, meanwhile, has an even more complicated recruitment going on. He is considered one of the top 100 recruits in the nation and visited Kansas on Dec. 7. Rivals now is reporting that Gray is nearing his decision, but seems to be keeping his favorites close to the vest. Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Florida and Kansas are possibilities.

More Young talk

KU defensive coordinator Bill Young appears to be a popular man in the wake of KU’s Orange Bowl victory.

Young is considered a candidate for the defensive-coordinator opening at Washington. CSTV.com now is reporting that Miami may be interested in Young for its coordinator vacancy, as well.

Young has been at Kansas since 2002, Mangino’s first season. He recently was a finalist for the Broyles Award given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

The competition

Tuesday was the last day underclassmen could declare for the NFL Draft, and more than 40 early entrants have declared.

That includes KU cornerback Aqib Talib and offensive tackle Anthony Collins, who announced their plans Jan. 7.

As for their competition? Obviously there are gobs of seniors. But the unofficial underclassmen list includes five cornerbacks: Talib, Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers, Wisconsin’s Jake Ikegwuonu, Penn State’s Justin King and Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith.

In addition, there are four offensive linemen coming out early: Collins, Virginia’s Branden Albert, Boise State’s Ryan Clady and Mississippi’s Michael Oher.

ESPN’s Todd McShay recently listed Talib as the 17th-best prospect, underclassman or not, in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 13, 2008

KU lands recruit: Kansas University’s football team picked up a junior-college wide receiver this weekend – and he’s coming soon.

Rivals.com reported Saturday that Rod Harris, a 6-foot-2 receiver out of Blinn Community College in Texas, committed to Kansas and will sign Monday.

He plans to move to Lawrence by Tuesday to enroll in classes, making him eligible for spring practices.

Harris was a qualifier out of high school, meaning he could leave junior college whenever he wanted. He played just one season at Blinn, meaning he will be a sophomore at KU.

“There were other schools that called when they found out I might leave,” Harris told Rivals. “But I didn’t pick up the phone much. I kind of had my mind made up on Kansas.”

Harris cut his official visit short so he could go home and pack. He will join a group of receivers looking to fill the shoes of Marcus Henry, who graduates after compiling 1,014 receiving yards for the 12-1 Jayhawks.

“I know if I go in and work hard,” Harris told Rivals, “I hope to fit into the position he was playing.”

Kansas expects to have several newcomers showing up this week. Besides Harris, juco offensive tackle Nathan D’Cunha plans to enroll in time for spring ball. In addition, two high school seniors – quarterback Kale Pick and defensive end Nicholas Plato – are graduating early and moving to Lawrence this week.

¢

Washington eyeing Young?: The Seattle Times is reporting that KU defensive coordinator Bill Young is a possible candidate for the same job at Washington.

The Huskies went 4-9 in 2007 and the contract of defensive coordinator Kent Baer was not renewed. Head coach Ty Willingham was retained, though he’s thought to be on the hot seat heading into 2008.

The Times also mentioned Tom Williams, the special-teams coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, as a possible candidate for the Huskies’ defensive coordinator opening.

¢

Why No. 1?: Miami Herald reporter Israel Gutierrez was the lone voter in the Associated Press voting panel to pick KU No. 1 in the final Top 25 poll.

So why the Jayhawks?

“I just thought they had the best body of work compared to all the other teams in the running,” Gutierrez wrote in an e-mail. “I don’t care what the combined record of their opponents were. They lost only one game, and that was a close game against a top-five team.

“Of all years to reward a team for keeping its record clean, regardless of the level of competition, it was this one.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 11, 2008

Nothing major

It appears that next season’s Kansas-South Florida game in Tampa, Fla., will not be moved to the opening week of the season for television.

ESPN had approached USF about the possibility of moving the game to Aug. 29, a Friday, for primetime television purposes. But USF athletic director Doug Woolard told the Tampa Tribune that “my latest conversation with ESPN is that the game will remain as scheduled.”

That, for now, is Sept. 13.

Both Woolard and KU associate athletic director Larry Keating did mention the possibility of the game being moved to Friday night, Sept. 12, but no serious conversations have taken place.

For now, KU’s 2008 nonconference schedule is: Florida International on Aug. 30, Louisiana Tech on Sept. 6, at South Florida on Sept. 13 and Sam Houston State on Sept. 20.

Mangino nabs another

That makes eight.

KU coach Mark Mangino was named Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association on Wednesday, giving him eight national coach-of-the-year awards this season.

The others: Associated Press, Bear Bryant, Eddie Robinson, Home Depot (ESPN), The Sporting News, Walter Camp and Woody Hayes.

Assembly planned

Lawrence High will hold an assembly today to honor two of its own – KU seniors Brandon McAnderson and Brian Seymour.

The two, 2003 LHS grads, were contributors on the 12-1 Kansas team which won the Orange Bowl last week. McAnderson rushed for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns as the primary ball-carrier this season, while Seymour had five tackles on special teams.

2008 rankings

A couple of national publications have released a preseason Top 25 ranking for 2008.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach puts Kansas at No. 15, behind four Big 12 Conference teams: Oklahoma (No. 2), Missouri (4), Texas (7) and Texas Tech (12).

Rivals.com, meanwhile, put Kansas at No. 11, saying “The Jayhawks could be even stronger than they were this season” but also noting an increase in schedule strength.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 9, 2008

Two to Shrine Game

KU seniors James McClinton and Brandon McAnderson will play in the annual East-West Shrine game on Jan. 19.

The two will suit up for the West squad and travel to Houston on Jan. 12 to start preparation. The week in Texas will include a visit to the Shriners Hospital on Jan. 13.

The two are pursuing professional careers, and senior games like this one are attended by dozens of scouts.

“It should be a good experience,” McClinton said. “It’s another game that I can exhibit my skills to the scouts.”

New guy?

Rivals.com is reporting that wide receiver Rod Harris of Blinn Community College in Texas is visiting Kansas this weekend and may sign before leaving.

“Hopefully, if it goes like I think it will, I plan to sign on Monday,” Harris told Rivals.

Harris is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver originally out of Mesquite, Texas.

New No. 3?

KU cornerback Aqib Talib was asked who’s going to take jersey No. 3 now that he’s heading to the NFL.

Talib said that cornerback Chris Harris and receiver Dezmon Briscoe both want a piece of it.

“That’s going to be up to coach,” Talib said.

No. 3 has been pretty good at KU recently. Charles Gordon had it through 2005 (while Talib wore No. 28).

Talib took it when Gordon went to the NFL.

Ex-Jayhawk at title tilt

Kansas University didn’t quite make it to the BCS title game, but one of its former players was on the field for the entire game. Tom Quick, a wide receiver at KU from 1984-86, was the umpire on the eight-man officiating crew during LSU’s 38-24 victory Monday night against Ohio State.

Quick has been a Big 12 official since 2004.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 8, 2008

Beck to Nebraska

There was smoke, and now there’s fire.

Kansas University football assistant coach Tim Beck officially was named running-backs coach at Nebraska on Monday, ending weeks of swirling rumors that he would be leaving KU after the Orange Bowl.

Beck will work under new Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, an old high school teammate in Youngstown, Ohio, who was hired away from LSU last month.

Pelini named eight of his nine assistants last month but held off completing his staff until after the last coach worked his team’s bowl game. That ended up being Beck, who was in Miami and helped Kansas defeat Virginia Tech, 24-21, in the Orange Bowl last week.

Beck coached KU’s wide receivers for three years and also was one of the Jayhawks’ top recruiters in talent-rich Texas.

Convention bound

Several of KU’s football coaches are in Anaheim, Calif., this week for the American Football Coaches Association Convention.

The annual convention consists of speakers, award presentations and meetings. There’s also a good amount of networking and plenty of catching up done by thousands of coaches who have crossed paths somewhere along the line.

The convention takes place through Wednesday.

Pick on his way

Rivals.com reported Monday that Kale Pick, a 6-foot-1 quarterback out of Dodge City High, plans to move to Lawrence on Jan. 14 to enroll at Kansas.

Pick will be on campus in time for spring practices, which start in March. He will room with fellow early high school graduate Nicholas Plato out of Edwardsville, Ill.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 3, 2008

Staying put

KU coach Mark Mangino is not being mentioned among candidates for any head coaching openings, despite leading the Jayhawks to an 11-1 record and Orange Bowl appearance this year.

The sixth-year coach said he believes it’s because the word is out about his loyalty to Kansas.

“I’ve invested a lot of hard work and time at Kansas in the face of adversity, among doubters for much of my time here,” Mangino said. “We’re getting it where we want it to be, and I think we’re only going to be better next year. I’m not looking to go anywhere else. I’m looking to make another run next season.”

Mangino did say he would “never say never” about leaving Kansas. But having worked under longtime Kansas State coach Bill Snyder and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops inspired Mangino.

“The people I’ve been associated with in this profession are loyal people, and they usually stick around,” Mangino said. “That’s my intent.”

Still not sure

Standout Virginia Tech linebacker Vince Hall is considered a game-time decision for the Orange Bowl because of a knee injury.

Hall badly bruised his right knee while playing on a personal watercraft during the team’s bowl-sponsored beach party on Sunday. He has been limited in practice ever since.

“We’ll see,” VT coach Frank Beamer said Wednesday. “I think it will be a game-time decision between the doctors to see if he can play. It’s tender right now, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen there.”

Hall, a speedy playmaker with 92 tackles in nine games, would be replaced by Brett Warren if he can’t go.

KU wearing blue

The Jayhawks technically are the visiting team for tonight’s game, but they will be wearing their home blue jerseys anyway.

Being the ACC champion, Virginia Tech was designated as the home team and was able to choose what jersey it wanted to wear.

The Hokies chose to wear their white tops, so the Jayhawks will wear blue.

No sellout

The Roanoke (Va.) Times reported that Virginia Tech will fall about 2,000 tickets short of selling out its allotment for today’s Orange Bowl.

Both schools were allotted 17,500 tickets to sell. Kansas finished selling its tickets on Dec. 17.

No longer a zone

KU has had bad luck recruiting South Florida in the past, to the point where the Jayhawks don’t really recruit the Miami area anymore.

“We are dabbling in the Tampa area and the Orlando area,” Mangino said. “My first three years at Kansas, we did recruit in South Florida. Things just didn’t click for us.”

The Jayhawks recruited Tampa for the first time two years ago and landed receiver Tertavian Ingram. Special teams coordinator Louie Matsakis recruits northern Florida, but as Mangino said, “we haven’t been here in Dade and Broward County area for a few years.”

More schedule talk

Mangino has gotten good at defending his team’s weak nonconference schedule, which raced Kansas to a 4-0 start on its way to the 11-win season.

“Our strategy must have worked. We’re here at the Orange Bowl today,” Mangino said. “So what is the criticism? That is the point I don’t understand. What are you criticizing?”

Mangino compared KU’s schedule to Ohio State’s, which raced to an 11-1 mark with help of a weak nonconference slate but didn’t get near the criticism Kansas did.

“Didn’t hurt them any, and it didn’t hurt us,” Mangino said. “So here we are. Must have worked.”

Ryan Wood’s KU Football Notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 30, 2007

Staying hydrated

It sounds strange in late December, but Kansas University’s football support staff is making sure that the 104 players practicing this week are staying hydrated in the muggy weather.

“It’s hot,” cornerback Aqib Talib said after Saturday’s practice at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. “It’s like two-a-days.”

Temperatures flirted with 80 degrees with noticeable humidity, which meant consumption of fluids took priority. Coolers of Gatorade were scattered all over – even at KU’s beach party in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., later in the day.

“Coming down here, it’s a lot hotter than it is back in Kansas,” quarterback Todd Reesing said. “It’s going to take a couple of days to get used to the warmer temperature. But we went through two-a-days. We’ve just got to stay hydrated and drink a lot of fluids and we’ll be fine.”

Injury update

All of the players limping around during the Missouri game on Nov. 24 are in much better shape.

Offensive tackle Anthony Collins, defensive tackle James McClinton, safety Patrick Resby and cornerback Kendrick Harper all have been practicing and all are expected to play Thursday in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech.

KU coach Mark Mangino said a few other guys will be playing through pain against Virginia Tech, but wouldn’t say who. One is believed to be linebacker Joe Mortensen, who was hobbled by a bad knee the last few weeks of the season and continues to wear a brace.

Overall, though, Kansas is in good shape heading into the Orange Bowl.

“We’re a heck of a lot healthier than we were the last two weeks of the season,” Mangino said. “We have some guys that are going to play a little bit banged up, but we just can’t do anything about that. I think they’ll play well.”

Beach party

Soon after Saturday’s practice, the Orange Bowl played host to a beach party for KU’s team outside the Trump Sonesta in Sunny Isles Beach.

The party featured a DJ, lots of food and wave runners for the players to ride. In addition, a competitive volleyball game broke out between several KU players, including Reesing, Scott Webb, Kyle Tucker, Chris Harris and Dakota Lewis.

As the game heated up, dozens of people on the beach came over to watch the action.

Blast from past

Former KU linebacker Greg Cole was at Barry University on Saturday watching KU’s practice. Cole, who led the Jayhawks with 106 tackles in 2002, bounced around several professional leagues before settling down in the Miami area where he’s originally from.

Cole is married with a daughter and has another child on the way. He’s now the defensive coordinator at Coral Reef High in Miami and in his spare time has followed KU’s magical season closely.

“I was going crazy all year,” Cole said with a grin. “I was loving it, week in and week out.”

Cole, along with dozens of former players, will be at Dolphin Stadium on Thursday for the game.

Staying fit

Just yards away from KU’s beach party outside of the Trump Sonesta, All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez of baseball’s Detroit Tigers was working out on the beach with a trainer.

During rest time, Rodriguez posed for photos with several fans, including a couple of KU players.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 29, 2007

Back to work

The police sirens howled through the neighborhood streets, and the Kansas University football team’s buses were flanked by flashing red-and-blue lights on the way to practice Friday.

Such an entrance is expected when President Bush is arriving somewhere. But this was just the Jayhawks, heading to Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., for their first team practice in Florida before next week’s Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech.

The police escort got KU there on time, and the Jayhawks practiced for a couple of hours on a nice bermuda pitch that’s normally home to Barry University’s soccer team.

The Jayhawks appeared in good spirits and doing fine from a health standpoint. The four banged-up starters from the Nov. 24 game against Missouri – offensive tackle Anthony Collins, defensive tackle James McClinton, safety Patrick Resby and cornerback Kendrick Harper – all were present and showing no ill effects.

Extreme makeover

Apparently, Kansas University linebacker Joe Mortensen has spent the month of December working on his beauty.

The normally clean-shaven Mortensen showed up on the practice field Friday with a mohawk and a grizzly beard, looking strikingly like Mr. T.

In town

One day after KU’s arrival, Virginia Tech’s football team arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Friday afternoon. The Hokies’ team hotel is in Hollywood.

One of the first things VT coach Frank Beamer planned to do Friday was hold a meeting to set ground rules for the players. The Hokies won’t practice in Florida until today.

“We start out early in the week with a 2 a.m. curfew, and then it comes down each night of the week,” Beamer said. “We want them to have fun, but we also want to make sure we do things right down here, also.”

VT back suspended

The Roanoke (Va.) Times is reporting that Virginia Tech starting running back Branden Ore will be suspended for the first quarter of the Orange Bowl for showing up late to a recent practice.

“I’m not putting up with that kind of stuff,” VT running-backs coach Billy Hite told the paper. “In order for us to win ball games, we can’t have guys showing up at practice whenever they want to.”

Ore has 876 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season. Sophomore Kenny Lewis Jr. will start in Ore’s place, Hite told the Times.

New commit

Kansas received another in-state pledge when Wichita North defensive tackle Darius Parish called the KU coaching staff and gave his oral commitment Friday.

Parish, a 6-foot-3, 325-pounder, was a one-time commitment to Nebraska. But the coaching change caused Parish to open his recruitment, and he eventually picked Kansas over Wisconsin and Oklahoma State.

Ryan Wood’s KU Football Notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 20, 2007

Juco signing

KU coach Mark Mangino confirmed after practice that Kansas signed junior-college standout Nathan D’Cunha on Wednesday, the first day mid-year transfers are allowed to sign letters of intent.

D’Cunha, a 6-foot-7, 307-pound offensive tackle originally from Australia, has played juco football at Santa Barbara City College in California. He is expected to have two years to play two seasons at Kansas and plans to move to Lawrence in January.

For the team

Talk about commitment.

KU strength coach Chris Dawson had his wedding postponed a day because of the Orange Bowl. The nuptials with his bride-to-be, Dawn, originally were scheduled for Jan. 4, the day after the big game.

It will now be Jan. 5.

“Chris Dawson’s a team guy, and he’s got a great future wife,” Mangino said. “Like Chris said, it’s the Orange Bowl, and his future wife is excited about the Orange Bowl. They’re just going to get married a little later.”

Jones’ new gig

Former KU offensive tackle Adrian Jones was picked up off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday.

Jones, who was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Jets in 2004, has been inactive the last seven weeks for the Jets and was placed on waivers Tuesday. He has 16 career starts to his credit since joining the league in 2004 – 13 at left tackle and three at right tackle.

Coach cameo

Mangino will sign KU merchandise from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Jock’s Nitch, 837 Massachusetts.

The coach will autograph KU-related items purchased at the store that day. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas County.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 16, 2007

Praise for McClinton

KU coach Mark Mangino expressed his pride that two of his players – cornerback Aqib Talib and offensive tackle Anthony Collins – were named first-team All-America by the Associated Press last week.

But he felt one more belonged, too – defensive tackle James McClinton, who was placed on the second team.

“If you ask any offensive lineman in the Big 12,” Mangino said, “they’ll tell you he’s the hardest guy to block in the conference.”

Papuchis hired

Former KU graduate assistant John Papuchis was hired as an assistant at Nebraska recently.

Papuchis spent his last three years as an intern at LSU, working under defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Nebraska recently hired Pelini, and Papuchis followed him to Lincoln and will coach the Huskers’ D-line.

Papuchis is best known at KU for being in the center of NCAA violations in the football program in 2003. Papuchis was not punished by the NCAA.

Cover boy

KU sophomore utility man Kerry Meier was on the cover of Sports Illustrated last month, a picture of him hauling in a touchdown pass gracing the front of the Nov. 26 issue

“It’s great,” Meier said. “It’s something I’ll hold on to for the rest of my life and show my kids someday.”

Meier said he always thought it would be neat to be on the cover of SI. Of course, KU’s backup QB didn’t envision himself being there as a wide receiver.

“Not quite what I imagined,” Meier said, “but it’s pretty neat.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 15, 2007

Returning punts?

KU junior cornerback Aqib Talib dropped back and returned a punt late in the Nov. 24 game against Missouri. It was the first punt return of his career, but it might not be his last.

“He’s returning punts now,” cornerback Chris Harris said of Talib. “He wants this game bad. It’s a big-time game for him.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise. KU has struggled to find a solid punt-return specialist, and Talib used to be out of the question for that role because he was stretched too thin between offense and defense.

But the emergence of Kerry Meier at receiver meant less snaps for Talib on offense. Those may get shifted over to special teams for the Jan. 3 Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech.

Injury update

KU offensive tackle Anthony Collins was in a ton of pain at the end of the Missouri game Nov. 24, hobbling around on a bad ankle.

He said the time off before the Orange Bowl would heal him up nicely.

“Dr. Murph (Murphy Grant) and all the rest of the doctors have done a great job on my ankle,” Collins said. “They’re doing a real good job of getting me better, getting me back to 100 percent. I’ll be 100 percent for the Orange Bowl.”

That goes for many of the impact players who were hobbling around the last couple weeks of the regular season.

“I still think we have a few that we have to be mindful of their repetitions on the practice field,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “A lot of guys, we were kind of just hobbling around, and had ankles, knees, hips, shoulders. : I don’t see any lasting problems.”

One guy who won’t play is backup linebacker Arist Wright, who Mangino said “suffered a pretty serious injury” in the Missouri game.

Disappointed

KU running back Jake Sharp had just one carry for zero yards against Missouri on Nov. 24, a startling number considering Sharp had 788 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the first 11 games.

“It was tough,” Sharp said. “I think some things happened to where my name just didn’t come up. I guess that’s just the way it goes. If I could do anything to change that, I certainly would.”

On their own

After practicing in Lawrence through Dec. 24, KU players will get Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 off to spend with their families before heading to Miami on Dec. 27.

Those who live nearby will board a charter flight in Lawrence bound for Miami on Dec. 27. Others who live out-of-state will trickle in to South Florida on their own and meet up at the team hotel.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 9, 2007

Nick Krug
Kansas University defensive tackle James McClinton is honored by the Allen Fieldhouse crowd for his Big 12 defensive lineman of the year award.

The buzz

Even while a KU men’s basketball game was going on, Jayhawk football seemed to be all the buzz inside Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Has that sentence ever been written before?

With Orange Bowl signs scattered throughout the arena, the loudest ovation of the day was when an announcement for Orange Bowl tickets came during a first-half timeout. In addition, James McClinton (Big 12 defensive lineman of the year) and Marcus Herford (Big 12 special teams player of the year) both were recognized during timeouts to standing ovations.

Also, head coach Mark Mangino was interviewed during the ESPN telecast, and defensive coordinator Bill Young was the halftime guest on KU’s radio broadcast.

Nick Krug
KU kick returner Marcus Herford, center, receives a similar ovation for being named Big 12 special teams player of the year. The two were honored during a timeout at KU's men's basketball game Saturday.

Even more honors

KU cornerback Aqib Talib and offensive lineman Anthony Collins continue to get the highest of honors.

The pair, both juniors, were named first-team All-America by both CBSSportsline.com and the Football Writers Association of America.

Recruiting weekend

About nine recruits were in Lawrence on Saturday making official visits. Along with several of KU’s assistant coaches, the prospects attended Saturday’s KU-DePaul basketball game and sat behind the south goal.

That group included DeSoto, Texas, running back Cyrus Gray, a highly touted recruit ranked by Rivals as the fifth-best running back prospect in the country and the 72nd-best prospect overall.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 8, 2007

What might’ve been

Here’s a fun game: How much incentive money would KU coach Mark Mangino have earned under his old contract?

Mangino, of course, signed a new deal in August 2006 that eliminated many of the performance bonuses, but boosted his base pay from $600,000 to $1.5 million per year. This season, Mangino already has made $125,000 in bonus money and could get $50,000 more if he’s named national coach of the year by the Associated Press.

But under the old deal? This wildly successful 2007 season would’ve earned Mangino at least $340,000 in incentive money – $210,000 of it just for winning 11 games.

On top of the $340,000, Mangino could’ve earned $1,000 for each player who graduated and $10,000 for keeping the team’s expenses under budget with the old deal.

Most of those incentives aren’t around any more, and Mangino still benefits more the new way: His current deal with minimal incentives still pays more than his old deal with gobs of them would have.

The tribute

Like many athletic departments around the country, KU made sure to honor Virginia Tech last spring after a campus shooting in Blacksburg, Va., left 33 people dead.

Led by women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson (a former Virginia Tech coach), all of the student-athletes at KU wore Virginia Tech T-shirts during the springtime as a way to honor the victims.

Now, of course, Virginia Tech is the opponent. The Jayhawks and Hokies meet on Jan. 3 in the Orange Bowl.

Still, the respect is there.

“They persevered through that,” KU safety Darrell Stuckey said, “and came back to another bowl game and still was the same school and still had the same excellence.”

He loves

Word has gotten to KU’s football players that the Orange Bowl halftime show will feature legendary rock band ZZ Top.

KU quarterback Todd Reesing, for one, is a fan.

“You’ve got to love some of the classics,” he said.

Reesing talked to reporters on Friday with a days-old beard, though he said he wasn’t a ZZ Top tribute of any sort.

Besides, that halftime show is for the fans. The players will be in the locker room making adjustments.

More honors

The Sporting News named Mangino the national coach of the year, one of several players to be honored by the magazine.

Junior cornerback Aqib Talib was named first-team All-America, while cornerback Chris Harris and receiver Dezmon Briscoe were named honorable mention Freshman All-America.

Mangino still could win at least four other national coach-of-the-year honors.

Recruiting weekend

Kansas will play host to a number of recruits as another big weekend for official visits gets going.

Among those Rivals.com is reporting to be in Lawrence today are a couple of KU commitments – Dodge City quarterback Kale Pick and offensive lineman Trevor Marrongelli out of Round Rock, Texas.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 6, 2007

Much ado about nothing?

KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony denied talk on Wednesday that the Jayhawks broke a Big 12 Conference rule by promising to sell a certain amount of tickets above the 17,500 figure allotted to each school for the Orange Bowl.

There are tangible numbers to back up Marchiony’s claim: Orange Bowl Committee member Vance Carlton said Monday that 70,000 tickets already have been sold for the game, which includes the standard 17,500 allotment per school.

Dolphin Stadium holds 72,230 fans. If Carlton is correct, a promise of excess ticket sales by KU would be unnecessary since the game is close to a sellout already.

Marchiony did say that athletic director Lew Perkins assured Orange Bowl officials that the 17,500 tickets allotted to KU would be sold. But that’s within the rules.

“We don’t have access to any more,” Marchiony said.

Big 12 assistant commissioner Bob Burda said the league was not investigating the matter, refuting a report by a Kansas City radio station.

“There is no truth to what that individual is reporting,” Burda said. “It’s really a non-issue.”

Face time

KU football coach Mark Mangino and offensive lineman Anthony Collins will be in Orlando, Fla., today for the College Football Awards Show.

The show will be televised by ESPN (Sunflower Broadband channel 33) starting at 6:30 p.m. today.

Mangino is a finalist for the national coach-of-the-year honor. Collins, meanwhile, is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman.

The Football Writers Association of America also will announce its All-America team today.

Another finalist

Mangino, a finalist for pretty much every national coach-of-the-year award, has another one for the list.

KU’s sixth-year coach is one of eight finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award passed out by the FWAA.

The winner will be announced Jan. 4 in New Orleans before the BCS National Championship Game.

No winner

KU defensive coordinator Bill Young was in Little Rock, Ark., on Tuesday at the Broyles Award Luncheon. He was one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach, but lost to Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 3, 2007

Not you, Mizzou

Missouri’s football team, 11-2 and Big 12 North champions, was passed over by the BCS and instead will go the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

So did KU’s players feel sorry for Missouri at all?

“No,” linebacker Joe Mortensen said.

Mizzou certainly has reason to cry foul. It beat the Jayhawks, 36-28, just two weeks ago and was ranked sixth in the latest BCS standings to the Jayhawks’ eighth.

But the Tigers’ 38-17 loss to Oklahoma in Saturday’s Big 12 championship game probably damaged their resume enough to take them out of the picture – even though they beat Kansas to get that far.

“We had the opportunity to take one of the two one-loss teams that were available,” Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms said. “With Oklahoma’s convincing victory, we thought that an 11-1 team would be very appealing, not only nationally but in the South Florida marketplace.”

A little history

The Jayhawks are playing in the Orange Bowl for the third time. Back when the bowl was affiliated with the Big Eight, Kansas played in the 1948 and 1969 editions.

The ’69 game was the classic “Twelfth Man Game,” a 15-14 Penn State victory that was made possible by a second-chance two-point conversion with 15 seconds left. That was because KU had too many players on the field.

Tastes good

KU junior defensive tackle James McClinton was asked what he did when athletic director Lew Perkins tossed him an orange Sunday.

“Want me to show you?” McClinton replied.

He then threw the orange up in the air, caught it, and took a giant bite out of it.

Already ‘dogs

Just hours after the bowl pairings were announced, the Mirage in Las Vegas opened Virginia Tech as a three-point favorite over Kansas.

Long-term plans

Kansas practiced Sunday, but will take the beginning of this week off before working Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“After that, I haven’t worked anything out,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “I just wanted to make sure where we were going.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 27, 2007

Frequent flyers

The Jayhawks will learn their bowl fate at 7 p.m. Sunday, but standout cornerback Aqib Talib won’t be around for the announcement.

Talib is flying to Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday as part of festivities for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to college football’s top defensive player.

The 6-foot-2 junior is one of five finalists for the award. The winner will be honored at a banquet Monday.

Just as soon as Talib returns to Lawrence, KU offensive lineman Anthony Collins will leave for Orlando, Fla., next week for the Outland Trophy presentation. Collins is one of three finalists for that award, which will be passed out Dec. 6.

No top four

Kansas would get an automatic BCS berth if it finishes in the top four of the BCS standings. Currently, the Jayhawks are No. 5.

But the Jayhawks’ being idle this week won’t help them in that regard. No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Georgia are idle, too, and BCS analyst Jerry Palm doesn’t see Kansas sneaking into automatic top-four territory.

In fact, Palm predicts that Kansas will drop in the BCS standings, perhaps behind Virginia Tech, LSU and maybe even Oklahoma.

“I don’t think four is a realistic scenario,” Palm said. “But it doesn’t mean they can’t get into the BCS.”

Don’t even think about it

The inability to move up all but eliminates Kansas from taking the back door into the BCS National Championship Game if both Missouri and West Virginia lose.

“They’re one of the few teams where I can’t come up with a scenario that gets them into the title game,” Palm said of Kansas. “If you look at the top nine, I’ve got scenarios for seven of them. But Kansas isn’t one.”

CFL boys

Two recent KU grads just finished up their rookie seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Former KU defensive end Charlton Keith signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats midway through the 2007 campaign and compiled 24 tackles and four sacks. The Tiger-Cats finished 3-15.

Former Jayhawks running back Jon Cornish played primarily on special teams for the Calgary Stampeders, who finished 7-10-1. He had two carries for 30 yards as a running back.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 26, 2007

New rankings

Kansas dropped to fifth in the BCS Standings after Saturday’s 36-28 loss to Missouri, the new No. 1 team.

The Jayhawks, with a BCS average of 0.7918, are behind Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio State and Georgia. Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma is No. 9.

Kansas (11-1) also dropped to seventh in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, fifth in the USA Today coaches poll and sixth in the Harris Interactive poll.

Injury report

With at least a month until Kansas plays again, there will be plenty of time for some banged-up players to get rest.

Cornerback Kendrick Harper and safety Patrick Resby have played sparingly in the last two weeks, while defensive tackle James McClinton and offensive tackle Anthony Collins played through obvious limps Saturday.

“At this point in time, we anticipate that all starters will be ready to go, according to the medical staff and without any surprises,” KU coach Mark Mangino said Sunday. “There is at least one or two backup players, one for sure (who won’t play).”

Mangino didn’t name the backup but stressed that it’s not Harper, who split starting assignments with Chris Harris this season.

“Kendrick Harper will be ready to play in the bowl game,” Mangino said.

Lots of stops

Missouri’s 93 offensive plays had a lot to do with it, but Kansas had six defenders Saturday register at least 12 tackles.

Safety Justin Thornton led the way with 16 stops and added two pass breakups. All three of KU’s linebackers – Mike Rivera (14), Joe Mortensen (13) and James Holt (13) – had at least a dozen, as did cornerback Chris Harris (12) and safety Darrell Stuckey (12).

Mortensen currently leads the team with 98 tackles, and could become the first KU defender since Nick Reid to compile 100 tackles in a season.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 21, 2007

Cover boy

KU utility man Kerry Meier is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated, a tremendously popular magazine with 3 million subscribers.

Meier is shown catching his touchdown pass in the second quarter of KU’s 45-7 victory over Iowa State on Saturday. The words, “Dream Season (So Far)” are underneath.

It’s believed to be the first time that KU football has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, though Jayhawk basketball has made multiple appearances, and former KU track great Jim Ryun was on the cover in 1966.

Collins update

KU coach Mark Mangino was asked Tuesday if he was confident that left tackle Anthony Collins would be able to play after sitting out the Iowa State game.

“Am I confident of that? I’m not absolutely confident of that,” Mangino said. “I feel pretty good about the prospects of him playing.”

Collins, a finalist for the Outland Trophy, warmed up with the team last week with a noticeable limp, but never left the sideline once the game started.

Not a problem

Mangino was a little more sure about the health of quarterback Todd Reesing, who has been hobbled slightly by an ankle injury the last two weeks.

“He’s fine,” Mangino said.

Reesing, for what it’s worth, was asked after the game how his ankle was feeling.

“I’m fine,” Reesing said. “We’re 11-0. I feel great.”

A longer visit?

With all 79,451 seats at Arrowhead Stadium accounted for Saturday, it’s obvious there will be a strong case toward renewing the KU-MU Arrowhead contract beyond 2008.

But that’s for another day, according to associate athletic director Jim Marchiony.

“We have not discussed it,” Marchiony said. “We’ll probably discuss it sometime after this game. But we have not discussed it yet.”

They’re smart

A total of 14 Jayhawks were named Academic All-Big 12, the league office announced Tuesday.

Of those, 11 were first-team selections, meaning they had a 3.2 grade-point average or higher while participating in 60 percent of the team’s contests.

They are: Reesing, Russell Brorsen, Brian Seymour, Scott Webb, Jeff Foster, John Larson, Micah Brown, Sadiq Muhammed, Mike Rivera, Jake Sharp and Jeff Wheeler.

Brorsen and Seymour were recognized for perfect 4.0 GPAs.

Players of the week

Despite Reesing being named Big 12 co-offensive player of the week for his strong play against Iowa State, the KU coaches chose to honor both Meier and Dexton Fields as the team’s offensive players of the week. Chris Harris was honored on defense, and Justin Springer was cited for special teams.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 20, 2007

Collins a finalist

KU junior left tackle Anthony Collins has been named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to college football’s best interior lineman.

Collins joins LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as finalists. The winner will be announced Dec. 6.

A KU edge?

Until 79,451 fans fill Arrowhead Stadium to capacity for Saturday’s battle between No. 2 Kansas and No. 3 Missouri, there will be no way of knowing for sure how many people will be there cheering for the Jayhawks.

But KU officials are guessing they have a noticeable edge – perhaps 50,000 KU fans to 30,000 Missouri supporters.

Cue the math lesson.

“Through us, we sold about 40,000 tickets,” associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said, a figure that includes 31,000 season tickets.

In addition, the season-ticket holders of the Kansas City Chiefs had the option to buy tickets for the game, and about 20,000 more were sold that way. It’s impossible to tell which team any of them are rooting for, but Marchiony said a guess of 50-50 probably wouldn’t be too far off.

Presto. A rough estimate of the support for Saturday’s 7 p.m. game.

“We think we’ll have a minimum of 50,000 fans there,” Marchiony said.

Profit sharing

With the overwhelming success of the game, Kansas and Missouri are cashing in even more than they originally thought.

The two schools each received a $1 million guarantee for moving the 2007 game to Arrowhead Stadium. But the contract also calls for profit sharing if a certain amount of tickets are sold. With the game a sellout, Kansas and Missouri both will get a little more money in the bank.

“We don’t know what that number is,” Marchiony said. “It’s probably somewhere in the neighborhood of a quarter-million dollars more.”

All neutral

The 2005 Kansas-Oklahoma game at Arrowhead was treated as a KU home game, with the video board and overall presentation slanted toward the Jayhawks.

That won’t be the case for the Border War games. The game will be treated as though there is no home team both Saturday and in 2008.

Not a fan

With the move to Arrowhead, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel will have just one memory of KU’s Memorial Stadium in his college career.

And he hated it.

“We went to Kansas my freshman year, and got beat I think 13-3,” Daniel said. “I just really didn’t like their stadium at all. I didn’t like how it was set up, I didn’t like playing there. I didn’t like playing on their home turf.

“So to get it at Arrowhead : it’s huge for us.”

Not a finalist

KU quarterback Todd Reesing was not among the three finalists for the Davey O’Brien award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback. The list was narrowed to Daniel, Oregon’s Dennis Dixon and Florida’s Tim Tebow.

Also, KU cornerback Aqib Talib is not one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award, given to college football’s best defensive back. Those three are Arizona’s Antoine Cason, Boston College’s Jamie Silva and LSU’s Craig Steltz.

Not empty-handed

Reesing was, however, honored as the Big 12 co-offensive player of the week for his performance against Iowa State on Saturday.

Reesing split the honor with Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

Missouri injuries

MU coach Gary Pinkel said the Tigers were in good shape from an injury standpoint heading to Arrowhead.

“(Wide receiver) Will Franklin has a bruised back. : We expect him to be 100 percent,” Pinkel said. “Other than that, we’re fortunate we’re in good shape.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 15, 2007

Injury report

KU coach Mark Mangino said he wasn’t sure whether safety Patrick Resby would be ready to play Saturday against Iowa State, after sitting out last week’s game with an undisclosed injury.

“He’s out on the field practicing,” Mangino said. “He’s a day-to-day case. It’s hard to tell how effective he will be. We’re not sure yet.”

Mangino later said that defensive tackle James McClinton, who sat out some plays last week, was practicing as well.

Scheduling shuffle?

KU associate athletic director Larry Keating confirmed Wednesday afternoon that ESPN had been in contact with Kansas and South Florida administrators about the possibility of shuffling the 2008 football schedule.

ESPN is interested in Kansas and South Florida playing on Aug. 29, 2008, in a primetime televised game on Friday night. That would require some restructuring since the KU-USF game right now is slated for Sept. 13 in Tampa, Fla., and Kansas has Florida International on the schedule for Aug. 30.

Keating called the discussions “very preliminary,” adding that he had not talked to Florida International about the possibility of moving a game.

“It’s feasible in terms of being able to do it,” Keating said. “The question is if we want to do it or not.”

Keating said the adminstration and Mangino aren’t interested in pondering it now and will tackle the possibility later.

“Much later,” Keating said.

TV clearance

Saturday’s regional telecast of the Kansas-Iowa State game will be televised to about 28 percent of the nation, mainly in the Midwest.

KU will play at the same time as three other ABC telecasts – Penn State-Michigan State, Miami-Virginia Tech and California-Washington.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 14, 2007

More Heisman talk

A letter from the Heisman Trophy Trust showed up in the mail on Tuesday at KU, detailing what might come in the next six weeks if quarterback Todd Reesing fares well in the voting.

A Heisman spokesperson said “20 or 30” candidates received the letter.

“He’s got my vote,” KU linebacker Joe Mortensen said Tuesday. “I’ll vote for little Doug Flutie.”

The Heisman was talked about plenty at KU’s news conference, with tight end Derek Fine – Reesing’s roommate – sharing the best stories.

“I haven’t told him yet, but I’m going to get one of those shirts. One of those ‘Reesing For Heisman’ shirts,” Fine said. “I haven’t told him yet, but I’ve got to go get it.”

Actually, one has been hanging around Fine’s crib recently.

“My sister bought one for Todd, and we had it hanging up in the house for a while,” Fine said.

Talib on list

KU cornerback Aqib Talib is one of 15 “Players to Watch” for the 2007 Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year Award.

Talib is the only defensive back and one of two Big 12 Conference players on the list, joining Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel. Five finalists will be named Nov. 27.

The reigning Big 12 defensive player of the week, Talib has 48 tackles, four interceptions and 11 pass breakups this season.

Nobody’s perfect

A couple of statistical errors from KU’s 43-28 victory over Oklahoma State were corrected this week.

Reesing was credited with 10 more yards passing and had 318 in the game. Kerry Meier was given 10 more yards receiving and had 27 for the game.

The victim was Brandon McAnderson, who had 10 rushing yards taken away and finished with 25 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Players of the game

Marcus Henry’s 199 receiving yards, not surprisingly, were enough to get him selected offensive player of the week by the KU coaching staff for the OSU game. Joe Mortensen and Darrell Stuckey split defensive honors, while Scott Webb was cited for special teams.

Free State High product Ryan Murphy was named offensive scout team player of the week.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 13, 2007

Talib honored

KU junior Aqib Talib was named Big 12 defensive player of the week on Monday for his work in the Jayhawks’ 43-28 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Talib had nine tackles, a pass breakup and a crucial interception with 7:23 left that sealed KU’s victory.

It was a good night for Talib to shine – a representative for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football’s best defensive back, was credentialed for Saturday’s game.

Rodgers wishing well

As one might expect, the Jayhawks’ recent success has former players and coaches excited about Kansas football. KU coach Mark Mangino received one such reminder Monday.

“John Hadl received a call from Pepper Rodgers forwarded to me about how excited he is for our team,” Mangino said. “He’s been following us.”

Rodgers coached at KU from 1967-70, taking the Jayhawks to the Orange Bowl in 1968. Hadl currently is an associate athletic director at KU.

Pep rally set

KU will play host to the KU Border Showdown Spirit Rally on Nov. 23 in Prairie Village, the night before Kansas is to play Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The event will start at 7 p.m. at the Corinth Square parking lot at 83rd and Mission Road.

Senior captain Brandon McAnderson and former coach Don Fambrough, famous for his hatred of Missouri, are expected to appear.

The rally will be free of charge and feature a performance by local band Sellout.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 8, 2007

Wide audience

Though Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma State game is a regional telecast on ABC, it will be seen by the majority of the country according to the ABC coverage map released Tuesday.

KU’s game will be shown on 63 percent of ABC’s affiliates, ranging from Utah to New York. Other games being aired by ABC at the same time are Boston College-Maryland (19 percent) and California-Southern California (18 percent).

Talib a semifinalist

Kansas standout Aqib Talib has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award, given to college football’s top defensive back.

Talib, a 6-foot-2 junior cornerback, has 39 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups this season.

The Thorpe list will be narrowed to three semifinalists on Nov. 19. Those three will be invited to the College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6, where the winner will be announced.

Mangino on lists

KU coach Mark Mangino was placed on two postseason award watch lists this week.

Mangino is one of 16 coaches on the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award watch list, given to the college football coach of the year. He was also one of 15 in consideration for the George Munger Award, a coaching honor passed out by the Maxwell Football Club.

Quarterback Club

Former KU players Dan Dercher and Dick Holt will speak at the KU Quarterback Club meeting at 5 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn Holidome.

The event, which is free to QB Club members and $10 for non-members, will precede Mangino’s weekly radio show, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Holidome.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 7, 2007

No daydreaming

OK, so it had to be asked.

Though Kansas has thrived in part because of its ability to stay focused on the task at hand, fans everywhere can’t help but think of KU’s potential this season, especially being ranked No. 4 in the BCS standings.

So KU coach Mark Mangino was asked Tuesday if he ever started contemplating what could become of Kansas, like perhaps a shot at the national championship.

“You know better than that. C’mon,” joked Mangino, a firm believer in the one-game-at-a-time cliche. “Good try, though. Nice shot. At least your boss will know you gave an effort.”

Wanting 14

KU free safety Darrell Stuckey mentioned playing 14 games this season, which would mean a trip to the Big 12 championship on Dec. 1. He was asked, then, if anything short of 14 games on the schedule would be a disappointment.

“Of course it would,” Stuckey said. “We want to win all of our games, and if winning all of our games means there’s 14 games on our schedule, we’ll plan to play 14 games.”

Webb fine

KU kicker Scott Webb appears unfazed by a couple of missed kicks last week against Nebraska. The senior plunked an extra-point attempt off the right upright and was short on a 51-yard field-goal attempt in the 76-39 KU victory.

But amnesia apparently has set in.

“I shake it off,” Webb said. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

Defending Talib

KU cornerback Aqib Talib, an All-America candidate, was on the wrong end of two touchdown receptions by Nebraska’s Maurice Purify on Saturday. But Mangino insists that Talib didn’t play badly.

“Aqib had him covered doggone well,” Mangino said of Purify’s second touchdown. “(Purify) had to go up high to get it, and he made a good play on it.”

Players of the game

Surprising to nobody, KU quarterback Todd Reesing was named offensive player of the game for throwing a half-dozen touchdowns against Nebraska. Kick-returner Marcus Herford was cited for special teams. Nobody was selected for defense.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 6, 2007

Wefald a fan

Add Kansas State University president Jon Wefald to the growing crowd on the Kansas University football bandwagon.

Wefald phoned KU coach Mark Mangino on Monday morning to offer his congratulations about the Jayhawks’ 9-0 start.

The gist of Wefald’s call was that KU’s ascension to national football prominence has been good for the entire Sunflower State. At the same time, Wefald was congratulating an old friend.

Wefald and Mangino have known each other ever since Mangino was an assistant coach at K-State under Bill Snyder from 1991-98.

ABC picks Kansas

Kansas University’s Nov. 17 home football game against Iowa State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and be televised by ABC, it was announced Monday.

It assures that all eight of KU’s Big 12 Conference games this season will be televised. Saturday’s game at Oklahoma State will be a 7 p.m. kickoff on ABC, and the Nov. 24 Border War game against Missouri will kick off at either 2:30 or 7 p.m. and be televised by either Fox Sports Net or ABC.

Shut out

The Jayhawks dropped 76 points on Nebraska last week, yet it wasn’t enough to make anyone Big 12 Conference player of the week.

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel edged KU’s Todd Reesing to win offensive honors, while Iowa State cornerback Chris Singleton won on defense and Texas kicker Ryan Bailey won on special teams.

Gundy on Reesing

It’s not the first time Reesing has been compared to former NFL great Doug Flutie. But add Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy to the list of those who see similarities between the two undersized quarterbacks.

“It’s kind of a name from the past, but a very effective player that moves around and makes plays,” Gundy said of the two. “(Reesing is) accurate when he throws the football, and he runs the ball well enough to be a threat running. He’s just a good football player.”

Collins questionable

Oklahoma State starting linebacker Chris Collins left the team to attend his assault trial in Texarkana, Texas, putting his status for Saturday’s game in doubt.

Collins was accused of aggravated sexual assault stemming from an after-prom party in 2004, according to the Associated Press.

“If he doesn’t show up in a couple days, we’re not going to play him in the game for two reasons,” Gundy told the OSU media Monday. “The first reason is he wouldn’t be effective. The second reason is it wouldn’t be fair to the team.”

Collins has 31 tackles in five games this season. He has missed four games with turf toe, weakening the depth of an already-thin linebacker unit at OSU.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 5, 2007

Major jump

Kansas has jumped four spots to No. 4 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, behind only Ohio State, Oregon and LSU.

The Jayhawks came out with a BCS average of 0.8431, slipping them past No. 5 Oklahoma (0.8393).

The top two teams in the BCS standings at the end of the regular season will play in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

The Jayhawks are the highest ranked Big 12 team, but not by much: Behind them are No. 5 Oklahoma is No. 6 Missouri (0.7431).

The other polls

As for the human vote, Kansas is No. 5 in all three of the major top 25 polls – the Associated Press, the USA Today coaches and the Harris Interactive – behind Ohio State, LSU, Oregon and Oklahoma.

The Jayhawks haven’t been ranked in the top 5 since Nov. 9, 1968, when they were No. 3 for the third straight week en route to an Orange Bowl appearance.

Double trouble

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, when talking to reporters on Sunday, said he had yet to dive into preparation for Saturday’s game against Kansas. But he was well aware of at least one Jayhawk: defensive tackle James McClinton, an All-Big 12 candidate.

“You have to double-team him in pass rush,” Gundy said. “If you have to double-team a guy in pass rush, the other three guys get single blocks. So it makes a big difference.”

McClinton getting extra attention is no surprise. It happens “quite a bit,” according to KU coach Mark Mangino.

“He gets a lot of that,” Mangino said. “But as we tell James, ‘You’re good enough to beat double-teams.’ And he has. He can be a handful.”

Cowboys ailing

Much like Nebraska a week ago, Oklahoma State is battling health issues at the linebacker position.

Patrick Lavine (leg) and Chris Collins (turf toe) both returned for Saturday’s 38-35 loss to Texas, but Collins wasn’t full speed after being out for about a month.

Another linebacker, Jeremy Nethon, sprained his ankle against Kansas State three weeks ago and hasn’t played since. He’s not expected to be ready for Saturday’s game against Kansas.

“I’m sure he’ll try,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said Sunday, “but I don’t see it happening.”

The rash of injuries has forced the Cowboys to move defensive end Rod Johnson back to linebacker.

Up next

Gundy partially blamed his team’s offensive line for the Cowboys’ collapsing late against Texas on Saturday.

“(The Longhorns) wore us down in the second half, and physically they started to whip us,” Gundy said. “We played very average up front again. We’re not playing well enough up front to take these games over. Texas is a physical team, and they rotated guys in and they wore us down.”

Still, Oklahoma State (5-4 overall, 3-2 Big 12 Conference play) expects to be a formidable foe for Kansas, particularly with it being the Cowboys’ last home game of the 2007 season.

KU opened as a five-point favorite Sunday night.

Commitments galore

Kansas on Sunday received oral commitments from a pair of Texas high school standouts.

They are: Trevor Marrongelli, 6-foot-4, 285-pound senior offensive tackle from Westwood High in Austin, and Corrigan Powell, 5-10, 160-pound cornerback from Lakeview Centennial High in Garland.

Marrongelli told Rivals.com he received offers from KU, Illinois, Iowa State, Baylor and others.

Powell told Rivals.com KU was his only offer so far with interest coming from Texas, Miami, Florida, and Oklahoma State.

“They (KU coaches ) told me they liked my nastiness,” Marrongelli told Rivals.com. “They liked my ability to hit somebody and then get right back up. In our last game, I knocked a kid out, and it took his helmet off. If you are standing around the pile, I’m going to come up and hit you.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Oct 30, 2007

Kansas on ABC

The Nov. 10 game between Kansas and Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., will kick off at 7 p.m. and be televised by ABC, it was announced Monday.

It will mark the sixth straight game Kansas will play in front of a television audience and the first on ABC this season. Kansas last played on ABC in 2005 when it traveled to Texas.

The Jayhawks’ 11:30 a.m. game against Nebraska on Saturday will be televised by Fox Sports Net (Sunflower Broadband channel 36).

Reesing a semifinalist

The play of quarterback Todd Reesing in KU’s 8-0 start has rocketed him among mention of the country’s best players.

Reesing was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback.

The 15-man list will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 18, and fan input counts for 5 percent of the total vote. KU fans can vote for Reesing once a day DaveyOBrien.com.

The O’Brien winner will be announced on Dec. 6.

Lew’s support

KU coach Mark Mangino recently was asked about what athletic director Lew Perkins does to help the football program succeed.

Mangino listed a number of things, from competitive salaries to respectful treatment of coaches and athletes.

“He wants to do things first-class,” Mangino said. “He has a big-time mentality, which we desperately needed in football here. I needed that kind of support.”

Mangino said he also appreciated the hands-off approach Perkins takes toward football.

“He doesn’t interfere. He doesn’t bother you about who’s starting and who’s doing this and who’s doing that,” Mangino said. “He lets you coach. He’s supportive, and he does everything he can within his power to help the football program, but he doesn’t interfere. I think that’s great.”

Nebraska injuries

Besides the loss of starting quarterback Sam Keller to injury, Nebraska also lost starting linebacker Lance Brandenburgh for the season because of a shoulder injury suffered Saturday at Texas.

Brandenburgh, an Overland Park native who attended Aquinas High, posted 51 tackles while starting Nebraska’s first nine games at outside linebacker.

Two other linebackers – Bo Ruud and Blake Lawrence – are questionable because of injuries. Lawrence, a Shawnee Mission West product, is the brother of KU third-string quarterback Tyler Lawrence.

Jayhawks honored

KU was selected as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for its effort in a 19-11 victory at Texas A&M on Saturday.

The award, which is voted on by members of the Football Writers Association of America, went to the Jayhawks over Connecticut (which beat South Florida) and Mississippi State (which beat Kentucky).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Oct 29, 2007

Eights have it

The Jayhawks’ 8-0 start has unanimously elevated them into the top 10.

Kansas is ranked eighth in all three major polls – the Associated Press, the USA Today coaches and the Harris Interactive – and also came in eighth in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, which help determine who plays in the BCS National Championship Game.

In all, three Big 12 Conference teams are ranked in the top 10 in all the rankings. Oklahoma ranges from fourth to sixth, and Missouri is unanimously ranked ninth.

One of the computer formulas which help calculate the BCS rankings – the highly regarded Sagarin ratings – has Kansas as the No. 1 team in college football.

Nationwide

KU’s 11:30 a.m. game Saturday against Nebraska figures to reach a wide television audience.

Fox Sports Net will not do a split-national telecast of two Big 12 games in that slot as originally pondered, meaning the Kansas-Nebraska game will be shown on most FSN affiliates, including Fox Sports Midwest (Sunflower Broadband channel 36).

FSN planned to show two conference games if ABC chose not to show two games Saturday. However, ABC decided Saturday night to pick up both Texas-Oklahoma State (2:30 p.m.) and Texas A&M-Oklahoma (7 p.m.).

The game, KU’s first at Memorial Stadium since Oct. 13, is a sellout.

Not a believer

Texas A&M defensive end Michael Bennett didn’t have any positive impressions of Kansas, even after the Jayhawks beat the Aggies, 19-11, on Saturday in College Station, Texas.

“I’m not impressed” Bennett told local reporters. “But I promise you, when we meet them in the Big 12 championship, we’re going to win the game.”

Up next

Nebraska is heading to Lawrence this week in shambles.

The Huskers (4-5 overall, 1-4 Big 12 play) have lost four straight, falling from ahead to drop a 28-25 game at Texas on Saturday. In addition, starting quarterback Sam Keller was injured in the loss, and his status is unclear for this week. Joe Ganz likely would start if Keller is unavailable.

Kansas opened Sunday night as a 171â2-point favorite.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 26, 2007

It’s back

To prepare for the road environment at Texas A&M, Kansas practiced Wednesday at Memorial Stadium and had crowd noise piped through the sound system.

It’s been a Wednesday ritual at KU for years, though it was washed before the Colorado game last week because of rain.

Of course, KU’s use of the silent count while in the shotgun, coupled with the sideline play calling that uses hand signals, has made the noise less of a factor than in year’s past.

“The crowd noise really has no effect,” running back Jake Sharp said. “We’ll just look left or right, or I’ll get a signal from Todd (Reesing), and I’ll go run the play.”

Harper’s progression

KU junior cornerback Kendrick Harper continues to wear a hard cast over his right wrist in games despite being almost healed from an August injury that kept him out of KU’s first four contests.

Harper recorded an interception against Kansas State and recovered a key fumble against Colorado. He’s working as the team’s No. 3 cornerback behind Aqib Talib and Chris Harris.

“He has worked hard to catch up on both the mental aspect of the game and the physical aspect,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “I’m really pleased with the way he’s coming along.”

Getting better

Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee is spending part of this week recovering from a 35-carry, 167-yard effort against Nebraska last week.

“I felt pretty bad at the end of the game, to be honest with you,” McGee said earlier this week. “Sunday I was pretty sore, and (Monday) I was really sore. But (Tuesday) I felt better.”

Texas A&M is in the midst of a brutal five-game stretch, and before the season it appeared Kansas would be the breather among games at Texas Tech, at Nebraska, at Oklahoma and at Missouri.

Of course, the 7-0 Jayhawks are nobody’s breather anymore.

“To have as consistent success as they’ve had : has shocked us all a little bit,” McGee said. “They had the right first four games, and they’ve played the right first three teams (in Big 12 play).

“They’ve proven they can beat good teams and play consistent. That’s probably what’s so shocking about them compared to year’s past.”

McGee was then asked if he’s ready to run the ball 35 times again.

“If it means we’re going to win,” he replied, “I’ll run it 40.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 23, 2007

Morning homecoming

The Kansas-Nebraska game slated for Nov. 3 will kick off at 11:30 a.m. and be televised by Fox Sports Net, it was announced Monday.

How far that game will reach, though, is to be determined.

ABC is waiting until Sunday to decide which games it wants to broadcast between Texas at Oklahoma State and Texas A&M at Oklahoma. The network may want to air both and has a 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. window to do so.

But if it only wants one, FSN will pick up the other for an 11:30 a.m. kickoff slot and do a “split national” telecast of both that game and the KU-Nebraska game. Fox Sports Midwest (Sunflower Broadband channel 36) will show the Jayhawks no matter what.

Webb honored

KU kicker Scott Webb was named the Big 12 special-teams player of the week for his performance against Colorado.

Webb, a senior, connected on field goals of 48 and 35 yards, the first coming despite a bad snap that caused him to stutter-step. He also converted his only extra-point attempt.

For the season, Webb has hit 11 of 12 field-goal attempts and all 38 of his extra-point attempts.

Why Sparky?

It’s always fun to hear the stories behind a nickname, even if they’re completely unimpressive.

KU coach Mark Mangino was asked Monday to tell the story again of how quarterback Todd Reesing was given the nickname “Sparky” last year.

“He’s a guy that when he’s on the practice field, even as a true freshmen, he makes something happen,” Mangino responded. “Most of the time it was positive. He did some ad-libbing and would do some things that would be a little off beat, and he’d make a play and make something out of nothing.

“So I just kind of said, ‘That guy’s kind of a spark plug.’ and the next thing you know, we’re calling him Sparky.”

Pick picks KU

Dodge City High quarterback Kale Pick has orally committed to play at KU, Rivals.com reported Monday night.

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound dual-threat QB committed to Arkansas in May, but changed his mind over the weekend.

Pick, ranked by Rivals as the sixth-best prospect in Kansas, suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing hand in the opening week.

“I just felt comfortable with the coaching staff at Kansas, and I really love the style of play. It was just a matter of me being comfortable with the coaching staff,” Pick told Rivals.com.

Pick completed 105 of 190 passes for 1,779 yards, good for 19 touchdowns his junior season. He was intercepted six times.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 22, 2007

New rankings

KU’s 19-14 road victory at Colorado on Saturday has shot the Jayhawks even higher up the national rankings.

Kansas is ninth in the latest Bowl Championship Series rankings, 10th in the USA Today coaches poll, 11th in the Harris Interactive poll and 12th in the Associated Press poll.

The last three are voted on by humans, while the BCS rankings combine the USA Today and Harris polls with six computer rankings to spit out an average.

KU’s BCS average this week was 0.6479, after getting a 0.5710 last week. The highest possible average is a 1.000.

Wheeler fine

KU defensive end Jeff Wheeler, after getting a clutch sack in the fourth quarter Saturday, appeared to favor his right arm as he left the field.

Coach Mark Mangino, though, said Wheeler should be fine.

“He practiced (Sunday),” Mangino said. “He’s a little sore, but the trainers said he’s full go, and it should not be any issue at all.”

Up next

Texas A&M put on a ground-game clinic against Nebraska in a 36-14 victory on Saturday, rushing for 359 yards on 66 carries.

Running back Jorvorskie Lane, a 270-pound bowling ball, had 130 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Stephen McGee carried the ball 35 times for 167 yards. Texas A&M improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 Conference play with the victory.

KU’s run defense has been good for three years now, and it was strong in holding a run-happy Colorado team to 2.0 yards per attempt. That sets up an intriguing matchup for Saturday’s game, which will kick off at 6 p.m. and be televised on ESPN2.

The Jayhawks opened as a three-point favorite on Sunday night. They’re 6-0 against the spread this season.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 18, 2007

Webb the guy

Kansas University reserve cornerback Anthony Webb officially has a new title: punt-return specialist.

KU coach Mark Mangino said after practice Wednesday that Webb won the job after showing his ability to field tough punts in last week’s victory over Baylor.

“He has good speed,” Mangino said. “He runs well, and he really has a knack for fielding the ball. He understands how to handle wind and things like that.”

One downside is Webb’s ongoing work of figuring out the tricky trade of calling for a fair catch. It’s similar to the problem former Jayhawk Charles Gordon had before he became a lethal punt-return specialist near the end of his college career.

“We’re comfortable with him,” Mangino said of Webb. “I think he’ll be fine.”

Almost famous

KU freshman wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe got word from some of his buddies back in his native Dallas that he was the centerpiece of a two-page photo spread that ran in last week’s issue of Sports Illustrated.

“It was crazy,” Briscoe said. “I thought they were playing with me.”

Briscoe went out and bought a copy and, sure enough, a photo of him running in for a touchdown against Kansas State dominated two pages of the Oct. 15 issue.

He hasn’t figured out what he’ll do with with his copy. But one of his friends has a plan.

“He wants me to sign it when I get back (to Dallas),” Briscoe said.

Cabin fever

Due to the nonstop rainfall in Lawrence on Wednesday, KU moved its practice indoors to Anschutz Pavilion.

For the most part, workouts stay on course there with just a few slight differences. The Anschutz field has no crown, and working on punts can be a little tricky with a slanted roof that peaks right over the middle of the field.

“You can (punt),” Mangino said, “but you’ve got to hit it right down the middle of the field. If you really get hold of one, it’ll hit a beam.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 17, 2007

Gunning it

Surely, a couple of KU fans gasped when they saw quarterback Todd Reesing streaking down the left sideline against Baylor last week as a gunner while Kerry Meier was punting the football.

After all, Lawrence isn’t exactly the historical home of the healthy quarterback. Taking chances with Reesing might not be popular.

But there’s a reason for it. The 15th-ranked Jayhawks set up in that kind of punting formation to have the option of passing for a first down if the punt defense isn’t accounting for everyone. Reesing, a former high school wide receiver, motions out wide while Meier, KU’s backup quarterback, gets behind center.

“When we shift, people see it,” Meier said. “If they don’t cover somebody up, I see it and I can always check to it and get that first down. Otherwise, if it’s covered up and everybody’s guarded, I can kick it.”

Now that it’s on film, expect opposing teams to always be aware of the possibilities.

“I came to the conclusion at the end of last season that good offensive football, unless you have 22 elite blue-chip prospects, you have to think outside the box a little bit,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “You’ve got to find ways to keep the defense off balance. That’s essentially what we’re doing.”

Working it out

Obviously, KU punt-return specialist Anthony Webb will be spending some time this week learning the art of the fair catch.

While Webb exhibited good hands and fearlessness in fielding punts against Baylor, he more than once attempted a return when a fair catch was by far the best option.

“He attacks the ball. He has no fear. That’s two things we’re looking for,” Mangino said. “He’s learning. We just put him there last week.”

Webb and freshman Dezmon Briscoe both worked returning punts against Baylor, though Mangino hopes to have one guy doing it exclusively starting Saturday.

New kickoff time

If you had something planned for the 14 minutes before Saturday’s Kansas-Colorado game, cancel it.

The start time for Saturday’s game will be 4:31 p.m. CST, not 4:45 p.m. as originally reported. The game will be televised in high-definition by ESPN (Sunflower Broadband channels 33, 233).

Respecting Talib

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said Tuesday that he considers KU cornerback Aqib Talib the best athlete his team will face to this point.

“We thought he was pretty good last year and we think he is better this year, if that is doable,” Hawkins said. “He is talented. Not only is he fast, he is physical and he has a good feel for defending routes, as well.”

However, Hawkins hinted that he has no interest in gameplanning around Talib’s side of the field.

“You have to be concerned about him but you can’t let one guy cancel out one whole side of your passing game,” Hawkins said. “So you just have to do a good job of throwing the ball and getting open on his side.”

Hitting the wall

Freshman running back Carmon Boyd-Anderson did not play against Baylor, while backups Donte Bean and Angus Quigley both received carries.

After being praised in the preseason, Boyd-Anderson has slipped a little bit.

“He got a little overwhelmed, but he’s going to be a really good player,” Mangino said. “What he’s going through is common. It’s probably the rule rather than the exception.”

Players of the game

Sophomore running back Jake Sharp was named KU’s offensive player of the game for the Baylor game after rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries.

Mike Rivera (eight tackles) and Chris Harris (six tackles, interception) shared defensive honors. Kick-returner Marcus Herford was cited for special teams.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 16, 2007

Prime time

Kansas University’s Oct. 27 game at Texas A&M has been scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff. It will be televised by ESPN2.

That game will mark the fourth straight week the Jayhawks will be on television and the second straight time on the ESPN family of networks. KU’s game at Colorado on Saturday will be televised by ESPN.

Both the Colorado and Texas A&M games will be available in high definition.

Fine with him

KU announced last week that no tickets remain for the Nov. 24 game with Missouri, which was moved to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

“I think it’s exciting that the game is sold out,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “I think that’s what both schools wanted to happen, and it has happened.”

While the Jayhawks will have the advantage of not having to travel to Columbia, Mo., next year for the final year of the two-year deal, it did lose the homefield advantage this year.

Still, Mangino was OK with that after having conversations with athletic director Lew Perkins.

“He wanted to know if I’d be interested in playing a game there at some point in time,” Mangino said. “All I asked Lew is if we’re going to play a Big 12 North opponent there, that I would like for it be a home and away – both teams give up a home game. That would be my only preference. Lew said he thought that was fair.”

Remember the Bulls?

Kansas no doubt has been one of the surprises in college football this season, but the top honor might just go to South Florida.

The Bulls, ranked No. 2 in the latest polls, have started 6-0 with victories over Auburn, North Carolina and West Virginia.

“They are a very good football team,” Mangino said. “I knew it a year ago when they came here to play. I thought they were outstanding, especially on defense.”

Yes, those South Florida Bulls were in Lawrence on Sept. 23, 2006, when the Jayhawks squeaked by them, 13-7.

“They were fantastic on defense. They had big, strong guys that ran really well. Really impressive-looking kids,” Mangino said. “On offense, they were just starting to put it together. (Quarterback) Matt Grothe was still young, learning the ropes, but you could see they had talent on offense.”

The Jayhawks will get another look next year: They’re scheduled to play at South Florida on Sept. 13, 2008.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 10, 2007

Ticket talk

Ticket sales are going extremely well for KU’s Nov. 3 game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium, as well as the Nov. 24 game with Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Nebraska game was announced as a sellout Tuesday. The Missouri game, which was moved to Kansas City, Mo., in the offseason, has just 1,500 tickets left for a stadium that seats 79,451.

It appears, however, that plenty of tickets remain for Saturday’s game against Baylor. Kansas has offered a deal in which two adult and two youth tickets can be purchased for $99 for Saturday’s game, which is the only time Kansas is at home in the month of October.

KU received a bad break when the Baylor game was scheduled the same weekend that many students will be out of town because of fall break.

Replays a go

Sunflower Broadband has reached an agreement with Fox Sports to replay the remaining KU home football games this season on Channel 6.

Home games against Baylor (Saturday), Nebraska (Nov. 3) and Iowa State (Nov. 17) will be shown tape-delayed the following Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Change on the way?

The struggles of KU freshman Raimond Pendleton returning punts last week may lead to a change soon.

Pendleton muffed two punts (though KU recovered both) and appeared to struggle judging the ball as it was carried by the wind during KU’s 30-24 victory over Kansas State on Saturday in Manhattan.

The Jayhawks didn’t hold their first big practice of the week until after coach Mark Mangino spoke with the media Tuesday. However, no immediate change at the position was made.

“As I stand here, no, I have not,” Mangino said of a switch, “but that could change.”

Doing better

Kendrick Harper’s right arm has been getting an unusual amount of attention, mainly because the Jayhawks have stayed relatively injury-free otherwise.

Harper talked to reporters on Tuesday with no hard cast on his arm, which was injured Aug. 3 when he landed on it funny after defending teammate Marcus Henry in practice.

“I was going up for the ball, and I just landed wrong,” Harper said.

Harper had surgery a few days later, which caused him to miss all of August and KU’s first four games in September. He played a couple of plays against Kansas State and recorded a key interception.

Though he wasn’t wearing a cast Tuesday, Harper said he probably would have to wear one for Saturday’s game against Baylor.

Riggins coming

Former Jayhawk great John Riggins will be in Lawrence this weekend to watch as his name is added to the Memorial Stadium Ring of Honor.

Riggins, a KU fullback from 1968-70, lives in New York and works in television and radio in the Washington area.

“He’s one of the former great players here, a great NFL player,” said Mangino, who never has met Riggins. “I think it’s great that he’s going to be in the Ring of Honor. I think that’s a well-deserved honor for him, and we’re looking forward to seeing him this weekend.”

Players of the week

It was quite a homecoming for KU left guard Adrian Mayes.

Mayes, a Manhattan native, performed well enough to be named offensive player of the week for the Kansas State game. Defensive tackle James McClinton earned the honor on defense, and kicker Scott Webb was cited on special teams.

KU receives commitment

The Jayhawks received a non-binding oral commitment Tuesday from John Williams, a 6-foot-4, 335-pound offensive lineman out of Tulsa, Okla., according to Rivals.com.

Williams stood out at KU’s Super Jayhawk Camp over the summer and had offers from Kansas, Arkansas, Northwestern, Colorado State and Tulsa.

Kansas now has nine known commitments for the 2008 signing class, including two offensive lineman.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 9, 2007

No decision yet

The start time – and television possibilities – for KU’s Oct. 20 game at Colorado will be decided Sunday.

The television networks typically have to decide which games they want 12 days ahead of time. But ABC has a clause in its contract which allows it to exercise a six-day window on three occasions this season. They are using one of those for the Oct. 20 games.

There are five Big 12 games being considered for telecast on Oct. 20 – Kansas at Colorado, Texas Tech at Missouri, Texas A&M at Nebraska, Oklahoma at Iowa State and Texas at Baylor. Four will be televised. After ABC picks for its 2:30 p.m. window, ESPN (4:30 p.m.), Fox Sports Net (11:30 a.m.) and Versus (11:30 a.m.) will select their matchups.

Eleven left

Kansas is just one of 11 undefeated teams in the Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).

The other 10: Boston College, Cincinnati, Connecticut, South Florida, Ohio State, Missouri, Arizona State, California, LSU and Hawaii.

Only Connecticut is absent from the latest Top-25 poll.

That, that

KU coach Mark Mangino complimented the play of his offensive line against Kansas State, particularly left guard and Manhattan native Adrian Mayes. : A new depth chart was released Monday and listed junior Kendrick Harper as a back-up cornerback to freshman Chris Harris. Harper played for the first time against K-State after suffering an injury in August.

Boo birds

Baylor’s football team was booed by its home fans during Saturday’s 43-23 loss to Colorado, something coach Guy Morriss isn’t a fan of.

“When you’re a paid professional, and you get booed, that’s one thing,” Morriss said. “But when you’re a college kid, and let’s don’t forget these are nothing but big kids, for people to boo them? I don’t think that’s right.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 8, 2007

Not flawless

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino had the chance to dissect game film from the Kansas State game. And while Saturday was a day to celebrate, Sunday was the first day to analyze and correct.

“We still need a lot of work in a lot of areas,” Mangino said. “We didn’t play perfectly Saturday. I think we left points on the board in three or four situations.”

Mangino did compliment KU’s performance in run defense and liked his team’s pass defense during the second half. But the reason KU won, Mangino said, wasn’t anything technical.

“The key to the game,” Mangino said, “was the way they dealt with adversity.”

Good timing

The return of junior cornerback Kendrick Harper from injury seems to have come at a good time.

Not only did Harper get a key interception in one of his few plays against K-State, but he should be able to play even more against Baylor – a team that passes a ton and gives the opposing secondary a lot of work.

“We wanted to ease him into this thing,” Mangino said, “but, boy, he didn’t want to ease in.”

Harper still has a hard cast over his right wrist, but it will come off at some point.

“He will not need it the rest of the year,” Mangino said. “The doctors are going to discuss here this week how much longer it will be necessary to wear it.”

Up next

Kansas opened as a 24-point favorite for its 11:30 a.m. home game Saturday against Baylor, proof that this isn’t the same Baylor team that beat the Jayhawks, 36-35, last season in Waco, Texas.

The Bears’ big offensive playmakers from last year’s team are gone, though Baylor quarterback Blake Szymanski has put up big numbers. He has thrown for 1,815 yards and 15 touchdowns in a system that relies heavily on passing.

Baylor (3-3, 0-2) lost at home to Colorado, 43-23, on Saturday. Its victories this season are over Rice, Texas State and Buffalo.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 3, 2007

A relay race?

Interesting quotes have surfaced in the Kansas State media, including one claim by K-State cornerback Justin McKinney that the Wildcats have superior team speed heading into Saturday’s 11 a.m. rivalry game in Manhattan.

Word of that got back to KU cornerback Aqib Talib on Tuesday. Though Talib didn’t exactly bite at the bait, he did have fun with the comment.

“We haven’t lined up and did a real relay race,” Talib quipped. “So really, we don’t know.”

Talib, who ran a little track himself in high school, then offered to lend a helping hand.

“I can set something up if that’s what they want to do,” he said with a smile.

Watching the Wildcats

Many of the players said they tuned in to Kansas State’s 41-21 victory over Texas on Saturday during KU’s bye week.

“Almost all of it,” tight end Derek Fine said. “I was actually glad they won. It says a lot more about our part of the conference. It makes this game huge, and that much more fun to play in.”

KU coach Mark Mangino said he watched about 70 percent of the game live before breaking it down on film in the ensuing days.

“I think K-State played very well. They deserved to win the game,” Mangino said. “There was no doubt in the game. They outplayed Texas in every category.”

Harper back

Mangino said Tuesday that cornerback Kendrick Harper is expected to play against Kansas State.

Harper dressed but did not play against Florida International on Sept. 22, wearing a cast on his right arm. He’s been out since getting hurt the first day of practice in August.

Watts questionable

Kansas State safety Marcus Watts did not play against Texas because of an undisclosed injury. Whether he plays against Kansas probably won’t be known publicly until Saturday.

“Marcus doesn’t have anything to prove to me from a practice standpoint,” K-State coach Ron Prince said. “He’s a veteran player.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Oct 2, 2007

Kansas-Baylor on TV

Though Saturday’s Kansas-Kansas State game clearly is on the minds of many in this state, the Jayhawks got a bit of good news Monday about the next game on the schedule.

KU’s Oct. 13 game with Baylor at Memorial Stadium was picked up by Fox College Sports Central, it was announced Monday. Though FCSC is not a part of most basic cable lineups (and is not the same as Fox Sports Midwest), it is offered on many cable sports-tier packages.

The game will kick off at 11:30 a.m. FCSC is channel 145 on Sunflower Broadband’s lineup.

Game of the week?

It’s no secret that Saturday’s game has big implications on the Big 12 North race, despite the fact it comes so early in the conference season.

But is the Sunflower Showdown a bigger matchup than the Nebraska-Missouri game scheduled for later that day?

Kansas coach Mark Mangino was asked that question Monday.

“It’s a big game in the state of Kansas and the Big 12 North,” Mangino said. “Football fans in the state of Kansas look forward to these kind of matchups when teams are playing at a high level. My focus is on this game. I really don’t know how big it is to anybody, but it’s big to us.”

Meier noticed

Whether it was a strategic move or not by KU’s coaching staff, the utilization of backup quarterback Kerry Meier as a wide receiver against Florida International already is on the mind of Kansas State defenders.

KSU defensive end Ian Campbell was talking about the number of things to prepare for in Saturday’s game and immediately mentioned KU’s receiver options with Meier and Aqib Talib.

“We’ll have to look into that a little bit,” Campbell said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 27, 2007

Hard at work

Kansas is having a relatively normal week of practice despite having no game on Saturday.

“It’s high tempo,” linebacker Joe Mortensen said. “Since I’ve been here, bye weeks have always been high tempo. You rehab, you get your body right, but at the same time, the practice is uptempo. You don’t want to take a step down, you want to take a step up.”

KU coach Mark Mangino said the focus was on Kansas this week.

But game preparation for the Oct. 6 game against Kansas State slowly is creeping into the work being done during this off week.

“We’re watching film on them,” Mortensen said. “We’re more watching them in the film room, but out here we’re kind of ones on ones and still running against each other. But (today) could be a big day for K-State.”

Still getting back

KU junior cornerback Kendrick Harper is about back to where he needs to be. But not quite yet.

Harper was injured in August and hasn’t played this season. He dressed for KU’s 55-3 victory over Florida International, and he could be ready to finally play against Kansas State next week.

“Kendrick’s doing good,” Mangino said. “He’s a little rusty. He’s talented, he’s got a lot of enthusiasm, great attitude. He’s out there just trying to get back in the groove.”

All gone

OK, now it’s REALLY a sellout.

Kansas State announced Wednesday morning that 275 tickets out of KU’s allotment were returned and immediately swiped up, meaning the 50,000-seat Bill Snyder Family Stadium should be full for next week’s 11 a.m. game.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net (Sunflower Broadband channel 36).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Sep 12, 2007

One year ago

As expected, KU’s coaches and players are studying last year’s Kansas-Toledo game at the Glass Bowl in preparation for Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks imploded against the Rockets last year and fell, 37-31, in double overtime.

So coach Mark Mangino was asked Tuesday: Do you look at that film for technical reasons, emotional reasons, or both?

“It’s all technical,” Mangino responded. “Some things don’t need to be said.”

Harper healing

Cornerback Kendrick Harper continues to recover from an undisclosed injury suffered Aug. 3, and actually is getting limited work in practice.

“He’s chomping at the bit,” Mangino said. “He’s a super kid and he can’t wait to get back.”

The guess is that Harper will return for the Kansas State game Oct. 6, though the Florida International game next week is an outside possibility.

“He’s only going to add to the productivity of our secondary,” Mangino said.

Players of the game

Left tackle Anthony Collins was named offensive player of the week by the coaching staff for the Southeastern Louisiana game. Linebacker Joe Mortensen and tackle James McClinton shared defensive honors, while kick-return specialist Marcus Herford was cited for special teams.

Rocket injuries

Toledo is hurting on defense – both statistically and medically.

Besides giving up 104 points in the first two games, Toledo has lost three starters to injury – free safety Tyrrell Herbert, cornerback Nigel Morris and defensive tackle Sean Williamson. Toledo coach Tom Amstutz didn’t comment on their availability for Saturday’s game, according to the Toledo Blade.

Another defender, cornerback Andre Redd, was injured last Saturday against Central Michigan and is not on the depth chart this week.

Ryan Wood’s KU Football notebook

By Staff     Sep 11, 2007

Looking good

Kansas University’s performances in the first two games – blowout victories over Central Michigan and Southeastern Louisiana – produced statistics that compare favorably with the rest of the Bowl Subdivision.

Kansas is third in the country in scoring offense (behind Oklahoma and Louisville), third in scoring defense (behind Iowa and Cincinnati) and first in kickoff returns.

As far as yardage goes, Kansas ranks 20th in the country in total offense and ninth in total defense.

More attention

KU coach Mark Mangino’s expletive-laced chewing of KU sophomore Raimond Pendleton in the season-opener against Central Michigan continues to be talked about.

A television crew caught Mangino screaming at Pendleton after the punt-return specialist was flagged for excessive celebration Sept. 1. The raw footage was put on the Internet site YouTube, where it was viewed 170,000 times in a little more than a week.

“We coach the way we have to coach,” Mangino said. “We never want to do anything that’s not appropriate. But it’s a highly competitive atmosphere, and it happens.

“You don’t like the fact that audio is being used in the coaches’ box. That’s something that I’m not familiar with and many coaches I’ve talked to are not familiar with it.”

Mangino said he had heard from coaches around the profession about the video, but he hasn’t viewed the clip himself.

“I’m not interested in that,” he said.

Brown eliminates Kansas

Though it’s been assumed for a while that Wichita East linebacker Arthur Brown wasn’t going to pick Kansas, the top prep prospect confirmed that in an interview on ESPNU last week.

Brown has narrowed his list to 16 schools, with KU missing the cut. They are: Kansas State, Southern Cal, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nebraska, California, Louisville, Rutgers, Auburn, North Carolina, Miami (Fla.), Georgia, Georgia Tech, UCLA and LSU.

Brown is rated by Rivals.com as the best prospect in Kansas and the 16th best prospect in the country. He’ll narrow his list down to 10 next week.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 5, 2007

No scrambling

The Kansas University football team introduced a new offensive scheme against Central Michigan, and Saturday it was missing one big aspect of what other recent KU teams did: quarterback scrambles.

Todd Reesing had just six carries for eight yards, with one being a sack for a loss of nine. For the most part, Reesing was there to pass the ball, with Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp doing the ground work.

Many of Saturday’s plays were option reads, where Reesing decides whether to hand it off or keep it himself. He usually chose to hand it off.

“Obviously, we’d rather have the ball in the hands of the running back, whose job is to run,” Reesing said. “Not having to run is fine by me. If they can run and get seven yards a carry, there’s no reason for me to carry the ball at all.”

One vote in poll

Kansas received one 25th-place vote in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll after demolishing Central Michigan last week.

Considering the Jayhawks’ schedule the next three weeks, it’s unlikely they’ll get too many more votes anytime soon, even if they finish the nonconference slate unbeaten.

The Jayhawks haven’t been ranked in the AP Top 25 since Sept. 28, 1996, when they were No. 20 right before losing to Utah. KU last received votes at the end of 2005 after winning the Fort Worth Bowl.

Reesing honored

Reesing was named the Division-I Football Bowl Subdivision Performer of the Week by CollegeSportsReport.com on Tuesday, after completing 20 of 29 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns against CMU.

Resby’s the winner

A months-long battle for the starting strong-safety position was won by junior-college transfer Patrick Resby, who collected three tackles and a fumble recovery last week.

Tang Bacheyie, the other candidate, played exclusively on special teams.

“Tang got nicked up a couple of weeks ago, and he missed a bunch of practices,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “Tang is back on track, and we feel good about both of those kids. We’re going to need them both.”

Mangino didn’t want to use Bacheyie’s injury as the deciding factor. He said Resby’s growth since he arrived at KU made a big difference, as well.

“You can’t be a confident player if you don’t know the system,” Mangino said. “He got his feet wet in the spring, he learned all of it here in August, and now he’s playing with confidence.”

Ticket sales high

KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said Tuesday that 69,000 tickets had been sold for the Kansas-Missouri game, which will be played Nov. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The number includes KU’s season-ticket sales. Arrowhead Stadium holds 79,451 fans.

Briscoe the next No. 3

If freshman wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe has his way, No. 3 will continue to be a star-studded digit at Kansas.

The current owner of jersey No. 3 is cornerback Aqib Talib, who said he plans to give the number to Briscoe once he’s done at KU. That could be after this season if Talib leaves school early to go to the NFL.

Talib, of course, got the number from former Jayhawk Charles Gordon after Gordon left for the NFL.

“That’s a pretty big honor,” Briscoe said, “but I think I’m ready to take it on.”

Players of the week

Kansas coaches named Reesing the team’s offensive player of the week for the Central Michigan game. Defensive honors went to both linebacker James Holt and end John Larson. Kicker Scott Webb was cited for special teams.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 4, 2007

Decisions, decisions

Aqib Talib, not surprisingly, looked good in the few plays he lined up as a receiver for Kansas University’s football team Saturday against Central Michigan.

Talib had two catches for 52 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown strike from Todd Reesing which developed after Talib got behind coverage.

The preseason All-America cornerback will continue to get work on offense, but it won’t take away from his defensive work.

“We prepare him for several offensive plays,” KU coach Mark Mangino said Monday. “We pick and choose our battles with him. We decide early in the game when we’re going to use him, and as coaches we decide when the game progresses how we’re going to use him.

“If he plays a long series on defense, we probably won’t put him in on offense.”

About SE Louisiana

This isn’t Appalachian State. Not by a long shot.

While ASU is the two-time defending Division I-AA national champ and just knocked off No. 5 Michigan last week, Southeastern Louisiana has lost 14 of its last 17 heading into Saturday’s game against Kansas University at Memorial Stadium.

The latest was a 35-14 setback to New Mexico State last week.

The Lions did have four interceptions in the season opener, including one returned for a touchdown by Demerious Johnson. But SE Louisiana also allowed close to 300 yards passing to the Aggies, who play under the coaching of passing guru Hal Mumme.

The Lions, led by first-year head coach Mike Lucas, were picked to finish last in the Southland Conference this year in a preseason poll.

He’s OK

A picture in Sunday’s Journal-World showed a close-up of Mangino chewing out sophomore Raimond Pendleton after a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty was assessed. A puzzling trail of blood is going down the coach’s chin.

“I can’t get a cut to heal,” Mangino said with a chuckle. “I took my headset off, and I bumped that cut early in the game. Then I took my headset off to go and talk to Raimond, and the ear thing caught it again.”

The blood probably added impact to the 30-second earful that Pendleton received, after he did a showboating dive into the end zone following his 77-yard punt-return touchdown.

“It’s a cut that I’ve had on my chin since Thursday morning,” Mangino said. “I still can’t get it stopped.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 3, 2007

Nothing major

Though coaches and players stressed Saturday that Kansas University didn’t play a flawless football game, coach Mark Mangino said Sunday that nothing major stood out to him on film, either.

“Nothing recurring,” Mangino said. “We made some mistakes, but nothing that was glaring or repetitive that we neglected or the players neglected. We obviously played well in all three phases of the game. But there’s a lot of room for improvement. We know that and our players know it.”

Wake-up call

Kansas will stay at home Saturday and play Southeastern Louisiana, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).

SE Louisiana comes in as huge a underdog, but that’s not exactly comforting to Kansas. The players surely are aware that FCS team Appalachian State knocked off No. 5 Michigan on Saturday, one of college football’s all-time biggest upsets.

“That game is a wake-up call to all Division-I players and coaches,” Mangino said. “You have to show up ready to play. You have to prepare mentally and physically for every single game you play. If you don’t, you’re going to get embarrassed.”

SE Louisiana opened its season Thursday by losing to New Mexico State, 35-14.

Season ticket record

KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said Saturday that more than 31,000 season tickets were sold, an increase over the 29,300 that were purchased last year.

That included a large number of family packs, which was noticeable by the filled north bowl during Saturday’s game. The estimated attendance Saturday was 46,815.

Saturday leftovers

Central Michigan received a $300,000 payout for coming to Lawrence for Saturday’s game. : Among those who did not dress out Saturday were running back Angus Quigley, defensive tackle Marcus Anderson and tight end Marc Jones. : A heated battle at strong safety apparently was won by Patrick Resby, who started and had three tackles and a fumble recovery against CMU. Tang Bacheyie, the other candidate, played exclusively on special teams Saturday.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 30, 2007

Pless in town

Former Kansas University football great Willie Pless is back in Lawrence today and will speak at the year’s first KU Quarterback Club meeting tonight.

Pless, a linebacker from 1982-85 who racked up an astronomical total of 633 tackles in his career, is being added to the KU Ring of Honor at Memorial Stadium on Saturday during halftime of the Kansas-Central Michigan game.

KU coach Mark Mangino said Wednesday evening he was hoping Pless could speak to his team before Saturday’s game, though the two hadn’t been in contact.

“We’ll make some plans here with our administration in the next couple of days,” Mangino said. “We’re certainly looking forward to seeing Willie and having him see our kids.”

The Quarterback Club will run in conjunction with Mangino’s weekly radio show at Paddy O’Quigley’s inside the Lawrence Holiday Inn Holidome today. Registration starts at 5 p.m., with Mangino’s radio show starting at 6 p.m. and Pless speaking to the crowd at 7.

For more information, call Pat Henderson at 864-3196 or e-mail him at phender@ku.edu.

Haselhorst back at it

Junior defensive tackle Todd Haselhorst has been going 100 percent in practice this week and is expected to play in some capacity Saturday after missing much of camp with an undisclosed injury.

“How much he plays will be based during the course of the game,” Mangino said. “He looks pretty good, he told me he feels pretty good. He’s a little rusty here and there, but his size and strength can make up for the rustiness with some good hard play.”

About there

Mangino was optimistic with how the week had gone, with the Central Michigan game just a couple of days away.

“We’ll find out Saturday night. We’ll find out then,” Mangino said. “But based on what I see on the practice field, I think we’re where we ought to be.”

Kansas will practice today before having a walk-through on Friday.

“I feel good about the kids’ grasp of assignments,” Mangino said. “(Today) we’ll just kind of polish it up a little bit. I like the way things are coming together.”

Saturday’s season opener is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. at KU’s Memorial Stadium and won’t be televised live.

Replays of the game will be broadcast on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 28, 2007

Running back reps

KU’s running-back situation looks to be a mix-and-match between the speedy Jake Sharp and the bruising Brandon McAnderson.

Carmon Boyd-Anderson also is knocking on the door of significant carries.

Mangino was asked Monday if McAnderson could be considered the No. 1 running back over Sharp.

“I would say that, yeah, that’s a fair assessment,” Mangino replied. “They’re more situational guys, but McAnderson probably will get more reps, I would think, at the end of the day.”

Don’t count out Boyd-Anderson, though. The freshman out of Jacksonville, Texas, has turned heads in camp and will skip a red shirt as a result.

“(He’s) running No. 3, but that’s actually because he’s a freshman and he’s learning,” Mangino said. “But every day, he gets better and better out on the field. He will play.”

CMU’s top target back

Central Michigan sophomore wide receiver Bryan Anderson, who set a school record with 73 receptions last season, is back on track after missing significant time to recover from shoulder surgery.

“Bryan is doing well,” CMU coach Butch Jones said Monday. “He didn’t go through spring football, so he’s trying to catch up on what some other players went through. He kind of suffered that learning curve a little bit. But the last week he stepped it up.”

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Anderson had 867 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season as a red-shirt freshman and was a first team All-MAC selection.

New guy

Jones is the only new coach in the MAC this year, though he is familiar with his new team.

Jones spent two years as an assistant at West Virginia, but before that was an assistant at Central Michigan under Brian Kelly. Jones actually was the lead recruiter for Central Michigan’s heralded quarterback, Dan LeFevour.

Because of CMU’s new staff and a tweaked playbook, Kansas coaches are leery about what the Chippewas might try Saturday at Memorial Stadium. A lot of it probably isn’t on film.

“The fact that a new coach is there, you have to prepare for a lot of different things,” Mangino said. “You don’t know exactly what you’re going to get.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 19, 2007

Dinged up

It was noticeable for onlookers at two open practices earlier this month. But until Saturday, no one in Kansas University’s football program wanted to admit that quarterback Kerry Meier wasn’t 100 percent.

Todd Reesing was announced as the starting quarterback Saturday, and in the process an undisclosed leg injury to Meier was confirmed to reporters.

“Overall, I could see on film it started affecting my throwing motion,” said Meier, who declined comment when asked if it was a hamstring injury. “I took a couple of days off to heal up, but we’re still in the process of getting it better. We’ll get healthy here pretty soon.”

It’s another frustrating turn for Meier, who missed parts of five games because of a shoulder injury last year and is starting to tread toward the discouraging label of being injury-prone.

KU coach Mark Mangino insisted Meier’s latest setback wasn’t the reason Reesing won the job. Meier appeared in good spirits when speaking to the media Saturday and said he’d take the role given to him.

“That spot is never definite in this game,” Meier said, “so I’m just going to keep working and keep elevating my game and see where it takes me.”

Practice update

After taking Thursday off for the first day of classes, Kansas had a single practice Friday and worked at Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning. Saturday’s practice wrapped up with about 25 minutes of scrimmaging, concentrating on red-zone offense.

Mangino said three or four positions were still being contested, though quarterback no longer is one of them.

“At this point in time, I like to think we’re on track,” Mangino said. “There’s still some things we have to work out, there’s still some positions up for competition, but the competition is at a high level. That’s what we like about it.”

Harris still on top

Mangino said Saturday that injured cornerback Kendrick Harper was still working on getting ready for a return, possibly for the Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas State in October.

“He’s working hard in his rehab,” Mangino said. “He’s a diligent guy.”

In the meantime, it appears true freshman Chris Harris is winning the starting cornerback job opposite Aqib Talib.

Harris worked first-team repetitions during the open practice on Monday and Mangino confirmed that he remained with the 1’s for the rest of the week.

Norman to Tulsa

Arkansas transfer Andrew Norman, who briefly flirted with the idea of attending Kansas, tells the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas that he’s going to Tulsa.

“I was up in Kansas, and it just didn’t feel right the whole time,” Norman, a wide receiver, told the paper. “Coach (Mangino) and the staff was really great and everything. I couldn’t have asked more of them. But it just felt like I was supposed to be here at Tulsa, and I feel comfortable with it.”

Ryan Wood’s KU Football Notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 17, 2007

No match

Arkansas transfer Andrew Norman will not be playing football at Kansas University this year.

A source at KU confirmed that Norman wasn’t coming, which correlated with what Norman’s father, Robert, said earlier Thursday.

“It looks like he won’t be enrolling at Kansas,” Robert Norman said. “I’m not sure where he’ll be enrolling, but it appears he won’t be going to Kansas.”

Norman supposedly was choosing between Kansas and Tulsa after being granted a release from his scholarship at Arkansas earlier this month.

A published report said he was transferring to Kansas, but it appears that report was premature.

A 6-foot-2 wide receiver, Norman was heavily recruited out of Springdale (Ark.) High in 2006, but chose the Razorbacks over Kansas, Louisville and Michigan State.

He red-shirted last season before asking to be released from his scholarship this summer.

It was granted, and his father said he was choosing between Tulsa – where his high school coach now is – and Kansas. He has visited both schools this month, but it’s possible he’ll end up at neither school.

Darn the luck

Rats.

KU’s annual “Corporate Kickoff” event, which brings chamber of commerce members, business partners and other merchants to Memorial Stadium to help kick off the football season, was moved out of the press box and onto the field this year because of its growing popularity.

And then it rained – hard – Thursday about 10 minutes into the event, and it was canceled.

Many attendees sought shelter underneath the west stands, where they got a good look at the new Anderson Family Football Complex just southwest of the stadium. The foundation and some walls are being erected.

“It’s dusty over there now,” associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said, “but a year from now there will be a beautiful building there.”

The construction of the 80,000-square foot building remains on schedule and is expected to be open in the summer of 2008.

QB Club

Registration continues for fans interested in joining the 2007 KU Quarterback Club. Club members receive a variety of football-related items, including a 2007 media guide, will be admitted free into all nine meetings and be eligible for prizes.

The first Quarterback Club meeting will be Aug. 30 in conjunction with coach Mark Mangino’s Hawk Talk radio show. The rest of the in-season meetings – five in all – will take place on Monday nights.

For information, call 864-3196 or visit kuathletics.com.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 16, 2007

Transfer coming?: Though nothing is official yet, wide receiver Andrew Norman, an Arkansas transfer, could be joining Kansas University’s football team soon.

Norman’s father, Robert, wouldn’t confirm his son was choosing KU when reached by cell phone Wednesday, saying “nothing’s official.” He declined to comment further because “coach Mangino asked us not to.”

Arkansas compliance director Marvin Caston, meanwhile, said Wednesday afternoon that no school had contacted Arkansas about obtaining paperwork on Norman, which is a requisite for him to participate in any athletic activities elsewhere. Norman already was granted his release by the Razorbacks, which allowed him to shop around for a new school.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Norman was one of four standouts out of Springdale (Ark.) High to sign with the Razorbacks in 2006, choosing the local school over Kansas, Louisville and Michigan State. He’s also one of the three to leave the program after just one year. Quarterback Mitch Mustain and receiver Damian Williams already have transferred to Southern California. Norman decided earlier this month to leave Arkansas, after red-shirting with the Razorbacks last year.

Norman was choosing between Kansas and Tulsa, and attended a Tulsa practice last week. Tulsa’s offensive coordinator is Gus Malzahn, Norman’s high school coach in Springdale.

If the transfer is finalized, Norman must sit out this season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. He then will have three years to play three seasons beginning in 2008.

¢

Mangino to speak: KU coach Mark Mangino will speak at a KU Kickoff Rally on Friday in Prairie Village.

The rally, which is free and hosted by Kansas Athletics and the KU alumni association, will take place from 6:30-10 p.m. at Corinth Square at the intersection of 83rd Street and Mission Road.

Mangino is expected to speak around 8:20 p.m.

¢

FSN preview: Fox Sports Net (Sunflower Broadband channel 36) will air a 30-minute special previewing the 2007 Jayhawks.

The show will feature an interview with coach Mark Mangino along with outlook and analysis of the ’07 Kansas squad.

The show will next air at 8:30 p.m. Friday, and will have subsequent airings Saturday, Sunday, Monday and again on Aug. 27.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 15, 2007

Heat wave

Kansas University’s football team continues to practice – sometimes twice a day – with temperatures simmering toward triple digits.

The Jayhawks had two practices on Monday, the latter open to the public on a scorching afternoon. KU had just one practice on Tuesday in accordance with NCAA rules that prohibit two-a-day practices on back-to-back days.

The heat is noticeable, KU coach Mark Mangino said, but not a deterrent.

“That’s how it’s probably going to be on Sept. 1 and through most of September out here,” Mangino said, “so we have to learn to work in these conditions.”

The Jayhawks’ final two-a-day is today. KU starts its fall classes Thursday, and the football team will scale back to one-a-day practices from then on.

Quigley is back

Kansas University football running back Angus Quigley said he’s finally back to 100 percent after suffering a severe injury in his thigh a year ago.

“Through spring ball, I was 75, 80 percent,” Quigley said. “Coming into camp after working all summer, I got my hip back strong, working on flexibility and stuff like that, I came into camp 100 percent. The speed’s back, and the strength’s back. I came into camp stronger than I was before I hurt myself.”

The question now is what to do with him. Quigley is competing for carries with fullback Brandon McAnderson and sophomore Jake Sharp. Another option, true freshman Carmon Boyd-Anderson, is forcing his way into the race with a solid camp so far and is not expected to red-shirt.

It makes for a crowded backfield, but each option seems to have its different strengths.

“Coach is trying to find what we do differently,” Quigley said. “Jake runs outside better, coach tries to put him on the outside stuff. I’m running inside, he puts me inside. Carmon is doing pretty much all of it.

“We’re just feeling it out, pretty much. Everybody’s getting their chance.”

In it to win it

At least one national pundit likes KU’s chances this season.

Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc., and ESPN.com picked Kansas to win the Big 12 North. He guesses Kansas and Texas would play in the Big 12 championship, with UT winning it.

McShay was one of 12 ESPN analysts asked to pick the division and league winners of Division I-A’s 11 conferences on ESPN.com. The other 11 split their North picks between Missouri and Nebraska, with the Huskers getting nine votes and Missouri two.

All 12 picked Southern California to win the national title.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 14, 2007

Stepping up

As Kansas University freshman football cornerback Chris Harris talked to reporters, junior standout Aqib Talib walked by the scrum and shouted, “That’s my young’n right there!”

Talib has taken Harris under his wing. By Sept. 1, they could be KU’s two starting cornerbacks.

Harris has impressed the coaching staff enough to get first-team work at cornerback in the absence of injured junior Kendrick Harper. He’s beating out incumbent Anthony Webb, Gary Green, Phillip Strozier and others.

“At first I was trying to play to get in that top three to be in that nickel (defense),” Harris said. “When Kendrick went down, it was, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to play to start now.'”

Harris, a 6-foot, 180-pounder out of Bixby, Okla., was a safety in high school but was recruited to KU as a wide receiver. When the Jayhawks signed receiver Rell Lewis from nearby Muskogee, Okla., Harris then projected to be a corner at KU.

If early playing time is any indication, it looks to be the right spot for him.

“I’m blessed,” Harris said. “I thank God every day for just giving me the opportunity to play. I feel like I belong. I feel like that’s my spot.”

Depth chart shifts

A couple of other intriguing changes in first- and second-team work Monday gave clues as to possible lineups on Sept. 1.

The right-guard position appears to be more competitive than originally thought. On Monday, junior Rameses Arceo worked with the first team, while junior-college transfer Chet Hartley – the starter after spring drills – was on second team. KU coach Mark Mangino said the competition was ongoing.

In addition, true freshman Dezmon Briscoe received extensive work on first team as a wide receiver and is a possibility to join Marcus Henry and Dexton Fields as starters.

“He’s going to be out on the field. He’s going to play. He’s competing for a starting job,” Mangino said of Briscoe.

One position change was seen Monday. Senior Marcus Anderson, a former offensive lineman who has yet to play a down at Kansas, was working on the defensive line.

Transfer to Kansas?

An Arkansas transfer has narrowed his new list of schools to two – and one is Kansas.

Andrew Norman, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver from Springdale, Ark., is expected to choose between two schools in the next couple of days, according to the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.

Robert Norman, Andrew’s father, did not return a phone call seeking comment. But he told the Morning News, “It’s either Kansas or Tulsa. There were some other schools that called, too, but it’s basically either Kansas or Tulsa. It should be determined no later than Wednesday.”

Norman was one of four standouts out of Springdale (Ark.) High to sign with Arkansas out of high school in 2006, although only one remains a Razorback. Two others, quarterback Mitch Mustain and receiver Damian Williams, already transferred to Southern California. Norman decided to transfer from Arkansas earlier this month.

Kansas is the big-conference school, but Tulsa’s offensive coordinator is Gus Malzahn, Norman’s former coach at Springdale High.

Wherever he chooses to go, Norman will have to sit out this fall in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. He would be a red-shirt sophomore in 2008 and have three years to play three seasons.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 8, 2007

Injury update

The news was a little better for injured cornerback Kendrick Harper than what was originally feared.

Kansas University coach Mark Mangino said there were questions as to whether Harper would miss the season after suffering an undisclosed injury on the first day of practice. The diagnosis now is four to six weeks, which could mean Harper may return around the Florida International game on Sept. 22 or the Kansas State game on Oct. 6.

“We’re kind of hoping he’ll be ready for conference play,” Mangino said. “If it’s sooner, great. But we think that by conference play he’ll be ready for sure.”

Injured defensive tackle Todd Haselhorst is trying to be ready around the end of the month, which may mean he won’t miss any games.

New gear

Kansas players posed for pictures and talked to the press donning the new uniforms with Trajan-font letters and numbers.

“Oh I like ’em,” cornerback Aqib Talib said. “I think they’re a lot better than the old ones. I like the kind of curvy, new numbers.”

Added running back Jake Sharp: “If the uniforms would help us play better, that’d be awesome. But I don’t think they do.”

No red for them

There appears to be five early candidates to skip a red shirt and play as true freshmen: wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson, cornerback Chris Harris, defensive tackle Richard Johnson and running back Carmon Boyd-Anderson.

Briscoe and Wilson – at least together – are intriguing possibilities, particularly because of the depth they’d instantly apply to a receiver fleet already featuring Marcus Henry, Dexton Fields, Marcus Herford and Raymond Brown.

“There’s a good chance both will play this year,” Mangino said of Briscoe and Wilson, both 6-foot-3. “They’re that talented.”

The 6-foot Harris may have an increased chance due to the injury to Harper. Mangino mentioned Harris, Anthony Webb and Phillip Strozier as candidates to start the season opener at cornerback opposite Talib.

Well put

“He’s a feisty guy, he’s a fast learner,” Mangino said of Harris. “He has all the good physical attributes you want in a corner. He’s not a real big guy, but he plays big.”

KU sophomore safety Darrell Stuckey was asked a broad question Tuesday: What will it take for Kansas to be consistent contenders?

“We’re a very good team, but good is the enemy of great,” Stuckey said. “For us to be a great team, we have to consistently go in and have a goal and be on the same page and not have the links on the team that are down and don’t want to perform to the best of their ability because they’re tired or other excuses.

“To come together and jell and practice and work hard for the person next to you and not for yourself, is when we’ll be a great team consistently. That’s what we’re going to right now. Very rapidly.”

Quote of the day

“My brother said I look like Matthew McConaughey” – Quarterback Kerry Meier, who’s sporting a blonde mustache in his media-guide mug shot.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Aug 6, 2007

Haselhorst, Harper hurt

Two Kansas University football players who were projected starters on the post-spring depth chart are now injured and not practicing.

Defensive tackle Todd Haselhorst was injured during the last week of summer conditioning, while cornerback Kendrick Harper was hurt on the first day of practice Friday. Neither was in attendance at Sunday’s workout.

“Haselhorst : our medical staff is trying to get him ready for the opener. That remains to be seen,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “We really don’t know the severity of Kendrick Harper’s injury. We should know something later in the week.”

Filling in for the two on first team were Caleb Blakesley at defensive tackle and Gary Green at cornerback. Anthony Webb also worked at corner.

Long practice

KU’s practice Sunday lasted around 2 hours, 45 minutes, though the 9 a.m. start allowed the players to avoid the heat until near the end.

It was a standard practice length for the single-workout days. The Jayhawks will have their first two-a-day workouts Wednesday.

“They vary. One-day practices vary anywhere from 2:40, 2:45, no longer than the three hours that’s allotted,” Mangino said. “Very seldom will we be out for a total of three hours.”

Still competing

A few positions still are up for grabs, including quarterback, strong safety and left offensive guard. The cornerback spot opposite Aqib Talib likely is, too, if Harper is out for any length of time.

Tang Bacheyie received most of the first-team strong-safety work, while Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing seemed to split first-team repetitions at quarterback. Left guard reps appeared to go more to Adrian Mayes.

Another vacancy, with the graduation of Jonathan Lamb and Brian Murph, is at punt-return specialist. Webb, Tertavian Ingram and Raimond Pendleton were alternating those reps Sunday.

New faces

He looked more like a professional wrestler than an offensive lineman. But wearing No. 73 was Jason Hind, a junior-college transfer who arrived in Lawrence this summer. Hind, a sophomore who projects at guard, had some limited work on the second team and was a mainstay in drills. But he was most noticeable because of his shoulder-length hair.

The true freshmen also had their first day of work in front of the public. Afterward, Mangino cited several for good first impressions, including defensive lineman Richard Johnson Jr., receiver Dezmon Briscoe, defensive back Chris Harris and defensive end Jake Laptad.

11-on-11 highlights

Webb made a nice interception on a Meier lob pass, stretching high over his head to snag the football. : The best catch by a receiver might have been by Jeff Foster, who hauled in a pass while tip-toeing up the right sideline. He was drilled by Bacheyie after the catch, but held on to the ball. : Wide receiver Raymond Brown, wearing jersey No. 2, caught a few passes, while true freshmen Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson had some nice catches. : The 11-on-11 work ended with a perfect fade-pass touchdown from Reesing to Marcus Henry.

Up next

KU’s next open practice will be at 4:45 p.m. Aug. 13 at the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jul 31, 2007

Pair of practices open

Kansas University’s football team will open two practices to the public in addition to the fan-appreciation day set for Aug. 22.

Practices Sunday and on Aug. 13 will be open for the public to watch. Sunday’s workout will start at 9 a.m., while the Aug. 13 practice gets going at 4:45 p.m. Typically, those practices take place on the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

Players are scheduled to report Thursday, with the first practice of the season set for Friday. The season opener against Central Michigan is set for Sept. 1 at Memorial Stadium.

Single-game tickets

Single-game football tickets and “Flex Packs” are to go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Flex Packs are sets of tickets to three home games – one nonconference game and two Big 12 Conference matchups. It does not include the Missouri game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Single-game tickets are $35 for the nonconference games, $45 for the Baylor and Iowa State games and $75 for the Nebraska game. Missouri game tickets range from $30 to $65.

Tickets can be purchased at the Allen Fieldhouse ticket office, by phone at (800) 34-HAWKS or online. A link can be found at kuathletics.com.

CMU picked second

Despite returning most of its offensive skill players from last year’s 10-4 team, Central Michigan wasn’t picked to repeat as Mid-America Conference champion. KU’s season-opening opponent was picked second instead, barely coming in behind rival Western Michigan.

Western Michigan, in fact, plays KU’s rival, Missouri, on Sept. 15.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jul 21, 2007

Captains picked: KU’s official Web site recently was spruced up to emphasize the upcoming football season.

The site, kuathletics.com, lists KU’s four team captains for the upcoming season. They are Talib, McClinton, fullback Brandon McAnderson and tight end Derek Fine.

¢BBQ in Topeka: KU coach Mark Mangino will speak and answer questions at a Topeka Jayhawk Club barbeque July 29 in Topeka.

The event will be held at the Ramada hotel in downtown Topeka. It’s scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Admission is $16 for Topeka Jayhawk Club members and $18 for non-members. Children 10 and under are $10. Call Kelly Watson at 864-7195 for more information.

¢Dates to remember: Mangino and three players – tentatively scheduled to be Talib, McAnderson and wide receiver Marcus Henry – will travel to San Antonio on Monday and speak to a gaggle of reporters at Big 12 media day.

Players then officially report to Lawrence on Aug. 4. First practice is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 5.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jun 21, 2007

Kansas University freshman wide receiver Tertavian Ingram missed a large chunk of spring practices with an undisclosed injury, one from which he’s still not completely recovered.

KU coach Mark Mangino said Ingram is on his way back, though, and should be healthy by the beginning of practices in August.

“That shouldn’t be a problem at all,” Mangino said. “He’s doing a lot of things, but he’s not completely full-go at this point in time.”

Wide receiver Dexton Fields, who also missed the spring game with an injury, is completely recovered.

New commitment

Kansas continues to have a strong start to its 2008 recruiting class, picking up yet another commitment this week.

Zach Stadther, a 6-2, 275-pound defensive tackle out of North Little Rock, Ark., gave his pledge to the Jayhawks, according to Rivals.com.

Stadther, a good friend of KU walk-on linebacker Chea Peterman, had offers from Kansas and Arkansas State. He registered 79 tackles as a junior at North Little Rock High, including 35 for a loss.

Kansas has seven known commitments.

One more game

Former KU linebacker Nick Reid will be playing in NFL Europa’s World Bowl on Saturday.

A member of the Frankfurt Galaxy, Reid started all 10 games and ranked second on the team with 55 tackles. The Galaxy went 7-3 to secure their spot in the World Bowl.

The game will be played at noon Saturday in Frankfurt, Germany, and be televised on the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband channel 154).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jun 17, 2007

New guy: Kansas University has some offensive-line help coming to Lawrence this summer.

Jason Hind, a 6-foot-4, 290-pounder out of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., signed his financial-aid papers recently and will move to Lawrence later this summer.

Originally from San Antonio, Hind is in good academic standing and is leaving junior college after just one year. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility at KU.

Hind is expected to compete for playing time right away on a line that includes All-Big 12 candidate Anthony Collins, three-year starter Cesar Rodriguez, former starter Ryan Cantrell and touted junior-college transfer Chet Hartley.

¢ Hawkinson commits: McPherson High standout Tanner Hawkinson gave an oral commitment to the Kansas coaching staff after participating in Saturday’s camp.

Hawkinson, a 6-6, 230-pound tight end, had offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech and Colorado State. But he always had KU high on his list and confirmed his interest Saturday.

“I have always grown up a fan of Kansas,” Hawkinson told Rivals.com. “I talked to my dad on the way up, and I wanted to do it face-to-face with the coaches.”

KU now has five early commitments for the 2008 class.

¢ Summer going well: KU coach Mark Mangino and his staff aren’t allowed to monitor his current players participating in summer conditioning workouts. But Mangino said he is hearing positive things from strength coach Chris Dawson, who runs the program.

“He thinks it’s the best start to the summer we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Mangino said.

¢ Night games: As expected, all of KU’s nonconference games in September will kick off at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. They are not expected to be televised.

¢ Now what?: With camp season over, KU’s coaching staff will have a little down time before practices get going in early August.

“Next week, our assistant coaches are going to start taking their vacations – much deserved,” Mangino said. “We will continue to, whoever’s in the office, keep working on some opponents and make sure everything’s running smooth.

“In late July, we’ll get back in as a staff working full-time preparing for our players to report on August 2.”

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jun 12, 2007

Jayhawks’ TV-less

It doesn’t appear any of KU’s nonconference football games will be aired as part of the Big 12 television package this September.

The game with the most realistic shot may have been the Sept. 1 season opener against Central Michigan, the defending Mid-America Conference champion.

But five other games featuring Big 12 teams are set to air that day, including three as part of the Big 12 television package – Nevada at Nebraska, North Texas at Oklahoma and Colorado State vs. Colorado. Kansas State at Auburn and Oklahoma State at Georgia will air as part of the Southeastern Conference package.

Kansas, to this point, has one game guaranteed for television – the season finale against Missouri on Nov. 24. It’s probable that more are aired, though – most announcements for televised games in Big 12 play are made just 12 days in advance.

New roster out

KU has updated the football roster on its Web site to include incoming freshmen, all of whom are believed to have enrolled for summer classes and started summer conditioning.

No players from the 18-man signing class in February are missing from the roster, meaning it’s likely all qualified and will be eligible this fall.

The uniform numbers issued to the newcomers are: Isiah Barfield (29), Carmon Boyd-Anderson (32), Dezmon Briscoe (80), Anthony Davis (30), Patrick Dorsey (92), Steven Foster (43), Chris Harris (16), Jeremiah Hatch (77), Stephen Hoge (14), Richard Johnson Jr. (97), Jake Laptad (91), Rell Lewis (6), Brian Murphy (31), Ryan Murphy (23), Jeff Spikes (74), Justin Springer (45), A.J. Steward (11) and Johnathan Wilson (81).

Another network

The Big 12 and Fox Sports Net have agreed to sublicense five football games to the Versus network.

Though it’s undecided exactly which games will be shown on Versus (Sunflower Broadband channel 116) this year, there is one already set: Iowa at Iowa State on Sept. 15.

Versus is known more for broadcasting NHL games and formerly the Tour de France. It used to be called the Outdoor Life Network.

The agreement means Big 12 games will be shown on five different networks in 2007.

New commitment

Kansas received an oral commitment from 2008 wide receiver Daymond Patterson, according to Rivals.com.

Patterson, a 5-foot-8, 165-pounder out of Mesquite, Texas, picked Kansas over early scholarship offers from Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Utah, Rice and Colorado State.

As a junior, Patterson had 40 receptions for 493 yards.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 28, 2007

Kansas University football assistant coach Earle Mosley has resigned for health reasons, and head coach Mark Mangino announced Friday that Louie Matsakis would be Mosley’s replacement.

Mosley, 60, was entering his third year as KU’s running backs coach. Mosley has been in coaching since 1975, with stops at Notre Dame, Stanford and the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

“Earle did an outstanding job with our running backs,” Mangino said in a statement. “He surely will be missed. However, we will continue to encourage Earle as he deals with his health issues.”

Matsakis, 29, will coach the running backs and coordinate the special teams at KU. He spent the last year as special-teams coordinator at NCAA Div. III Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He is the younger brother of George Matsakis, KU’s director of football operations.

Louie Matsakis previously worked on Mangino’s staff in 2004 and 2005 as director of quality control. In that role, he worked with the special-teams coordinator, worked in an administrative role doing statistical analysis and scouting reports and was involved in on-campus recruiting, camps and clinics.

Matsakis was the special-teams coordinator at Texas State-San Marcos in 2003 and was a special-teams intern at Texas Tech from 2000-02. He was a three-year letterman as a punter and kicker at Emporia State in the 1990s.

¢ Bouncing back: Former KU defensive end Rodney Allen has hopes of landing an NFL contract by the end of the weekend. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder out of Miami has been contacted by several teams this spring with the NFL draft starting today, despite being hindered for most of his senior season with multiple injuries.

“I’m thankful for being able to get a chance to prove myself,” Allen said, “but dealing with injury this entire season has been disappointing as far as my future and football goes.”

¢ Options: If an NFL career isn’t to be for former KU running back Jon Cornish, a professional career likely still will be.

Since Cornish is a native of British Columbia, he was eligible to be drafted into the Canadian Football League four years after starting college. That was a year ago, when Cornish was taken in the second round by the Calgary Stampeders despite having college eligibility remaining.

Cornish said officials from the Stampeders keep in touch often. Though it’s established that Cornish is interested in the NFL first and foremost, a CFL career will continue to be an option for him.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By J-W Staff Reports     Apr 17, 2007

Kansas University quarterbacks Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing often approached the line of scrimmage with the rest of the offense early in the play clock during Sunday’s spring game – without a huddle – and then gazed toward the KU sideline for advice.

Perhaps this is what coach Mark Mangino meant a month ago when he said the coaching staff was simplifying parts of the offense for his young QBs. It appeared some audibles were being called from the sideline, taking some responsibility out of the quarterbacks’ hands and allowing them simply to execute.

Other Big 12 Conference schools like Missouri have a similar approach toward attacking defenses, and it’s proven to work.

“I think their game management is better,” Mangino said of Meier and Reesing, “although it’s pretty obvious to see we’ve taken a great deal of the thinking process off of them and just gave them a chance to play and make plays. That was important for us as coaches to do.”

¢ Recruits on hand: As many as 30 high school football players planned to attend the spring game on unofficial visits. Among those present was Harrisonville (Mo.) athlete Sean Ransburg, who committed to the Jayhawks last week.

Also on hand, according to Rivals.com, was Kale Pick, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback out of Dodge City. Pick has offers on the table from Kansas, Iowa State and Colorado State.

¢ Back to Ohio?: Rivals.com’s Jeremy Crabtree reported Monday that Kansas extended an offer to high school junior Whitney Mercilous, a 6-3, 225-pound defensive end out of Akron, Ohio.

It may confirm KU’s renowned interest in recruiting talent-rich Ohio, especially with new offensive coordinator Ed Warinner’s ties to the region. Kansas picked up a late commitment from Jeff Spikes out of Painesville, Ohio, earlier this year after Warinner’s hiring in January.

Spikes was the first prep standout out of Ohio to sign with KU since Mangino was hired, though juco transfers John McCoy and Charlton Keith are Ohio natives.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 16, 2007

New receiver: KU sophomore Angus Quigley played extensively Sunday, but not where you might think.

A former running back, Quigley spent the whole day lined up at receiver for the White team. He had two catches for 17 yards.

“We like the development of our wide-receiver group, but we’re not sure about the depth of it,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “Angus is a big, strong fast guy with good range and very good hands.

“I think that’s the way it’s going to play out. He can do it.”

Quigley, who missed all of last season because of a thigh injury, is close to full health.

“He hasn’t missed any work,” Mangino said. “He’s pretty close to 100 percent. If he’s not, he’s 95.”

¢ Injury update: Two wide receivers were unable to play Sunday. Junior Dexton Fields is out because of an injury suffered in practice Friday, while freshman Tertavian Ingram has missed most of spring because of an undisclosed setback.

Fields’ injury isn’t serious, though Ingram’s kept him out of uniform Sunday. Mangino said Ingram would be ready for the fall.

“We feel bad for him, because he’s on track to be a really good player for us,” Mangino said, “and he’s been derailed.”

Two other impact players were at less than 100 percent for the scrimmage. Running back Jake Sharp, who had seven rushes for 38 yards, played through a slight injury when he “turned his foot” on a rough practice field nearly two weeks ago.

Also, cornerback Aqib Talib tweaked his right hamstring during the game Sunday and didn’t return.

“Nothing major,” Talib said. “In about a week I’ll be back full speed.”

¢ A few quirks: What was revealed of KU’s new offense under coordinator Ed Warinner wasn’t too dramatic, though there were some unfamiliar plays and formations run Sunday.

One of the most noticeable was a formation with four receivers on the left side in the shape of a diamond during the first half.

It was similar to a setup the University of Houston ran a few times against KU in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2005.

¢ Not expected back: Sophomore defensive end Jason Thompson did not practice with the team this spring, and Mangino said he doesn’t expect him to return.

Thompson was ticketed for a red shirt in 2006, but ended up having it pulled to play in three Big 12 games. He collected two tackles.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 15, 2007

No new plans

Kansas University’s football team has no plans to stray from the format it’s accustomed to in today’s spring game.

That generally will mean projected first-team players against second team, with a couple of exceptions if personnel conundrums demand it. Quarterbacks in the past have been ruled down by touch to prevent injury.

“It’ll be pretty much the same,” KU coach Mark Mangino said, “as what we’ve done in the past.”

Wrapping up

The spring game is the last of 15 practices that started about one month ago. It’s also the last team practice in pads until early August.

That alone makes it a big day in Mangino’s eyes.

“It’s an important day of practice,” Mangino said. “It’s great that the fans come in and watch and support the kids. We think that’s great. But it really is just another day of work.”

Fan information

With construction of the Anderson Family Football Complex underway on the west side of Memorial Stadium, fans attending the spring game are asked to park on the east side of the stadium and enter through the southeast entrance. Seating, as usual, will remain on the west side of the stadium.

Admission and parking for the game are free. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2007 KU football T-shirt.

Strauss on board

Mike Strauss has been named associate media relations director at Kansas University. In his role, Strauss will handle the media operations for KU football in addition to publicizing KU’s 18 varsity sports.

Strauss comes to KU from Utah State University, where he spent 10 years as the assistant athletic director/media relations director. He also worked in media relations at Oklahoma State, where he handled publicity for the Cowboy basketball team from 1988 to 1996. In Stillwater, Strauss was part of the successful Heisman Trophy campaign of Barry Sanders and OSU’s 1995 trip to the Final Four.

A 1987 University of Colorado graduate, Strauss is married to the former Lisa Brossett and the couple has two sons, Bradley and Coulter.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 12, 2007

Attacking

Quarterbacks Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing both expressed their optimism over KU’s remodeled offense under the tutelage of new coordinator Ed Warinner.

Meier called it “up-tempoed,” the same word used by junior Aqib Talib a week ago.

“The main thing that’s good about it is we’re utilizing everybody in a way that puts a defense in a position where, at some point in their defense, something is going to be open,” Reesing said. “All the pass plays, we’re utilizing the running backs a lot more, which gives a lot more outlets when downfield routes are covered.

“I think the main thing is it gives us opportunities to make a play, and if it’s not there, then we have something that will prevent us from making a bad play.”

Added Meier: “It’s something totally different. It’s going to be exciting. We really haven’t had anything like it at KU in the past.”

Packing on pounds

Meier said he’s gained weight in the offseason, and currently is at 226 pounds to go on his 6-foot-3 frame – pretty thick for a quarterback.

“I fluctuate between 220 and 225,” Meier said. “I kind of like having the weight on. More protection.”

Meier said he had not noticed much of a difference when running the ball, though he is trying to tweak his philosophy.

“There’s a little more momentum (with the weight),” Meier quipped. “But I’ve got to learn to get out of bounds instead of gaining the extra two yards and getting drilled.”

Moving north

Kansas moved its practice Wednesday from the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark to Memorial Stadium because of the day-long rain.

It was the 12th of 15 spring practices, which will wrap up Sunday.

“Tempo’s been good. I’m happy with it,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “I think our kids are really working hard.”

Don’t count on him

Linebacker Brandon Duncan, who has not been practicing with the team this spring, isn’t expected to return to the Jayhawks this fall.

“He’s been working on academics,” Mangino said. “It’s unlikely that he’ll return. The possibility exists, but it’s unlikely.”

Duncan, a sophomore, has played just three games for the Jayhawks because of a red-shirt in 2005 and a season-ending ankle injury last year.

New commit

Kansas received its first oral commitment for the 2008 recruiting class from Sean Ransburg, according to rivals.com.

Ransburg, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete out of Harrisonville, Mo., committed Tuesday. Though he could project at several positions, he’s best known as Harrisonville High’s quarterback, passing for 1,500 and rushing for 1,300 more as a junior last year.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 7, 2007

As it turns out, shuffling the offensive line is something Kansas University’s football coaches wanted to do long ago.

It’s finally done this spring. Big and strong junior Anthony Collins is swapping places with senior Cesar Rodriguez. Collins is now left tackle, Rodriguez is right tackle.

“It’s something that we wanted to do last year after about the fifth or sixth game, but we thought it would be a disservice to both kids because of the footwork and stance and those things,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “A.C. is more natural as a left tackle, and Cesar is more comfortable on the right side.”

Collins, at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, has the highest ceiling among KU’s offensive lineman and could be an All-Big 12 tackle in 2007. One thing’s for certain: Those with the ball like to find Collins and follow his lead.

“It’s a fun deal,” running back Jake Sharp said. “He’s definitely a big guy. I can get lost in there behind him sometimes.”

Most improved

Always willing to share an opinion, Kansas University cornerback Aqib Talib was asked this week who he thought was the most improved player on defense.

“I think Arist Wright is,” Talib said of KU’s projected starter at outside linebacker. “Last year, he was really just running around, didn’t know what to do. Now he knows his plays, so now he can use his talent. He can show you what he can do now.”

Wright and James Holt are working first team at outside linebacker, with Mike Rivera stationed in the middle as expected. Joe Mortensen, who started all 12 games at outside linebacker a year ago, is now working on the second team as a middle linebacker.

Wrapping up

Kansas has just eight days left in the spring season, but it promises to be a busy period.

The Jayhawks have six practices scheduled in that stretch, including the spring game April 15 at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for the intrasquad scrimmage is set for 3:30 p.m.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Apr 5, 2007

The Jayhawks practiced for about 21â2 hours Wednesday in front of a small gathering of fans and media.

Among the situations they worked on were goal-line plays, with the I-formation showing up a couple of times.

“There’s a lot of things we could do,” coach Mark Mangino said, “and we wanted to play some smash-mouth.”

¢Not this year: All-Big 12 cornerback Aqib Talib said he didn’t strongly consider going pro after last season, despite chatter that he might be ready for the NFL.

“We didn’t go to no bowl game, man,” Talib said with some enthusiasm. “I would’ve been a seventh-round pick if I came out.

“We’ve got to do good,” he added. “I’ve got to leave on a high note.”

¢First-teamers: Some new names popped up among the first-teamers at practice.

Though four of the five spots on the offensive line seem somewhat set, with Anthony Collins (left tackle), Ryan Cantrell (center), Chet Hartley (right guard) and Cesar Rodriguez (right tackle) working exclusively on first team, the left guard spot switched off between Adrian Mayes and Matt Darton.

Also seeing some work on first team was Raymond Brown at wide receiver, Tang Bacheyie at strong safety, Kendrick Harper at cornerback and Todd Haselhorst at defensive tackle.

¢Personnel notes: A couple of position switches were noticeable at Wednesday’s workout.

Justin Thornton, who started four games at free safety last year, worked out exclusively as a wide receiver. Also getting a few plays in at receiver was Talib, though his duties on offense won’t be frequent.

Another interesting move involved Bradley Dedeaux. The highly rated tight-end recruit out of high school was working on the defensive line Wednesday.

Among those not seen at the practice were linebacker Brandon Duncan and defensive lineman Jason Thompson.

¢No alumni game: KU will not hold an alumni scrimmage prior to the spring game for the first time since 2003.

The alumni scrimmage started in 2004, and former players like Don Fambrough, Dana Stubblefield and Don Davis came back to participate in some capacity.

Instead of the scrimmage, KU will have a hotdog tailgate for former players, Alumni Association members and Williams Fund members prior to the game on April 15.

The tailgate will start at 2 p.m., with the game kicking off at 3:30 p.m.

¢Up next: Kansas will practice Friday and Saturday this week before having four workouts next week. The public’s last opportunity to see the Jayhawks will be at the spring game April 15 at Memorial Stadium.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Mar 29, 2007

Kansas is working under a modified offense, though it’s not a complete makeover that schools such as Baylor have undergone recently.

“I’d say probably no more than 50 percent of it is new stuff,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “There’s a lot of stuff we retained. It’s not a completely overhauled offense.”

Specifically, the coach said that wide-receiver setups haven’t changed drastically – at least not yet.

“We’re not using any more receivers than we did last year,” Mangino said. “Are we moving some formations around? Yes we are. Can we grow and develop into that? That’s a possibility.

“But we used three or four receivers last year, and not a whole lot has changed in that respect.”

¢Flip flop: KU has swapped Anthony Collins and Cesar Rodriguez on the offensive line.

Collins, the more imposing player with more upside, has moved from right tackle to left, with Rodriguez moving to the right.

Collins will have the task of protecting the quarterback’s blindside.

“He’s probably one of the best offensive tackles in the league,” defensive tackle James McClinton said of Collins. “He’s aggressive, he’s nasty, confident, cocky. That’s something that the left offensive tackle needs.”

¢New guys: There are four new scholarship players practicing with the team this spring: junior-college transfers Patrick Resby, Kendrick Harper and Chet Hartley and early high school graduate Drew Dudley.

Free safety Darrell Stuckey is impressed with Resby, a safety, and Harper, a cornerback.

“They adopted the team concept,” Stuckey said. “They’re hard-working. They took the conditioning aspect head-on. They came in pretty good, and they know a lot about football.”

Mangino had high praise for Harper, who’s expected to provide immediate depth at cornerback.

¢Quick hits: Mangino said that Marcus Henry has all but locked up the “X” receiver starting spot. The X receiver lines up out wide at the line of scrimmage. : All-Big 12 cornerback Aqib Talib, who was the alleged victim of a gun-pointing incident Sunday in downtown Lawrence, was practicing with the team Wednesday. : Also in attendance was Free State High senior Ryan Murphy, a KU signee. : The Jayhawks will open their practice next Wednesday to the public. Tentative start time is 3:45 p.m. at the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Mar 7, 2007

Kansas University is expected to fill its assistant-coaching vacancy by hiring Steve Tovar, a source in the KU athletic department confirmed. The announcement could be made official as soon as today.

Tovar, 36, will replace Mike Mallory, who is leaving to become secondary coach at Louisville.

A three-year veteran of the coaching ranks, Tovar is a former NFL linebacker and All-American while at Ohio State. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers in an eight-year professional career.

Most recently, Tovar was on the staff of the Miami Dolphins under coach Nick Saban in 2006, before Saban left the pro ranks to take the head-coaching job at Alabama. Tovar coached the linebackers at Army for two seasons before going to Miami.

Tovar has a connection to KU’s staff. Current Jayhawks defensive coordinator Bill Young was in charge of Ohio State’s defense while Tovar was playing there.

¢Keith signs: Former KU defensive end Charlton Keith signed with the Oakland Raiders earlier this week.

A 6-foot-5, 240-pound pass-rusher, Keith was undrafted out of KU but joined the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad midway through the 2006 season. He was an All-Big 12 end at KU in 2005.

¢Luke back in: Yet another player from KU’s Fort Worth Bowl team also is trying out the professional ranks, though in an indoor setting. Former KU quarterback Brian Luke has signed with the Central Valley Coyotes of arenafootball2, the minor league of the ever-growing Arena Football League.

Luke is one of three quarterbacks on the Coyotes’ roster – all rookies. Central Valley plays its home games in Fresno, Calif., about 21â2 hours from Luke’s hometown of Walnut Creek.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 26, 2007

Former Kansas University running back Jon Cornish completed his five-day stay in Indianapolis on Sunday, undergoing strenuous physical and mental testing at the NFL Combine.

While most of Cornish’s results weren’t made public, the 6-foot, 210-pound Canadian unofficially ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at the RCA Dome, according to the live broadcast of the Combine on the NFL Network. Cornish’s results from other testing, such as the 60-yard shuttle, vertical jump and bench press, weren’t shown on the broadcast. None of his numbers was among the top results posted at NFL.com.

Cornish was being tested along with many of the best running backs in college football. Predictably, Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson tested well on Sunday. He projects as a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, and his unofficial 40 time of 4.40 and a vertical of 381â2 inches certainly won’t hurt his stock.

The NFL Draft starts April 28 in New York.

¢Up next: Cornish and other KU seniors will get a chance to work out in front of NFL scouts at KU’s pro day on March 13.

The event, typically held in Anschutz Pavilion, is expected to be attended by several NFL scouts, as in year’s past.

KU’s coaching staff then will turn its attention to the current team. Spring practices start March 14 and last through the spring game on April 15.

¢Amadi released: Former KU cornerback Ronnie Amadi was released by the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League last week.

The AFL still has several former Jayhawks playing, including Brandon Perkins (Los Angeles), Ron Warner (San Jose) and Lyonel Anderson (Colorado).

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 8, 2007

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino had reporters chuckling after talking about the new age of recruiting.

With no restrictions currently in place, coaching staffs all over college football are catching up to what’s hot in teenage communication: cell phone text messaging.

“It’s a highly peculiar situation where a 50-year old man is text messaging 18-year old guys at 10 o’clock at night,” Mangino quipped. “In most scenarios outside of college sports, the FBI would have my wires tapped and wonder what I’m up to.

“But In the world of college athletics? I’m just doing my job. I’m just trying to hold on to what I’ve got.”

After Mangino wore the numbers off his old cell phone, he got a shiny new cell phone about three weeks ago. And he was behind in the game once again.

“It took me three days to learn how to text message,” Mangino said. “I had to call my son in Topeka to ask him what steps to go through to do the text messaging because I couldn’t figure it out.

“I don’t have a real passion for it,” he added. “It’s just a necessity.”

¢No Mack: There were few surprises that weren’t already unearthed by services like Rivals.com in the days leading up to Signing Day.

But there was one omission. Junior-college defensive end Aaron Mack committed to Kansas in December, but wasn’t signed because of his academic standing.

Kansas did sign three defensive linemen, but Mangino hinted that it may not have been as many as they wanted.

“We’re OK,” Mangino said. “Next year, D-line will be a little more of a focus for us. : If there was anywhere we could’ve gotten another guy, it would’ve been a junior-college D-end. But we’ll make do with where we’re at. It’s not a major setback.”

¢Up in the air: Mangino raved about incoming recruit Carmon Boyd-Anderson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound running back out of Jacksonville, Texas. But he stopped short of guessing whether Boyd-Anderson could contribute this fall.

“That’s always a slippery slope,” Mangino said.

It may partly depend on sophomore Angus Quigley, who sat out all of last season with a badly torn muscle that has required a long recovery process.

“Every indication is right now that he will be available (for spring practices),” Mangino said of Quigley. “But he’s still getting intense rehabilitation work and treatment. We’ll wait until we get a little closer, but it’s our hope that he will be able to participate. Even if it’s in a limited manner, we’ll be excited about that.”

¢Spring practices: Spring practice dates have not been announced formally, but Wednesday’s press release did state that KU’s spring season will begin March 14.

That likely means that the spring game will be played April 14 or 15 at Memorial Stadium. A full list of dates – including possible practices open to the public – is expected to be released soon.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Feb 2, 2007

More on tickets

From now until Feb. 14, fans who purchase season tickets online will get a priority points bonus.

For every season-ticket purchase, fans will receive 10 points for their Williams Fund account, instead of the usual five. There’s no limit on the number of points that can be earned.

Public season tickets for eight games are $275. There’s also the Family Zone packages, which include two adult and two student tickets in the north bowl, for $350. Faculty-staff ($220) and recent graduates ($200) also have reduced rates.

Season tickets offer a significant discount considering the spike in price for “premium” games on the 2007 schedule. Single-game tickets for the Nebraska contest are $75, while Iowa State and Baylor tickets are $45. The four nonconference games – Central Michigan, Southeast Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International – are $35 apiece.

The Missouri game, which has been moved to Arrowhead, will have ticket prices ranging from $35 to $65.

Wrapping up

Signing day is less than a week away, and KU is about done with its incoming class.

The Jayhawks currently are awaiting word on two known players – William Cole, a

cornerback/receiver out of Cedar Hill, Texas; and Trey Baysinger, an offensive lineman out of Carter High in Dallas.

Cole, an electric talent that led Cedar Hill to a state title, is believed to be considering Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma State. Baysinger, who told Rivals.com this week that Kansas is his leader, still is weighing KU, Iowa State, Baylor and Tulsa.

Former Jayhawk retires

Former KU linebacker and assistant coach Mike Sweatman retired from coaching earlier this week.

Sweatman was most recently the special teams coordinator for the New York Giants. He played at KU from 1965-67, and coached at KU from 1978-82.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Jan 23, 2007

Ticket details for the Border War football game at Arrowhead Stadium the next two seasons aren’t finalized, though Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins estimated single-game tickets would cost between $50 and $60.

A Kansas City Chiefs official guessed tickets would go on sale in March.

As is the case with several other events taking place at Arrowhead, Chiefs season-ticket holders will have first chance to buy tickets for the KU-MU game. The tickets then will go on sale to the general public a few days later.

Perkins said Monday the game would be offered with the 2007 season-ticket package for KU fans, though Missouri won’t include the game in its 2008 package.

Arrowhead Stadium holds 79,451 fans – roughly 29,000 more than KU’s Memorial Stadium.

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Fan reaction: A KUSports.com poll posted Monday afternoon, though not scientific, didn’t exactly reflect a happy fan base.

More than 450 votes were cast within hours of the poll being posted Monday afternoon. About 62 percent were opposed to the idea of moving the game to Kansas City, compared to 25 percent in favor of it. Twelve percent were indifferent.

The poll will be up for the rest of the week at KUSports.com.

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In honor: Former Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, who passed away last month at the age of 74, was in staunch support of the game being moved to Arrowhead. That has inspired officials from KU, MU and the Chiefs to honor him.

“The Lamar Hunt name will be attached to this game. Whether it’s in the form of a trophy : or in some other aspect,” Chiefs president Carl Peterson said. “Certainly, Lamar’s name needs to be attached to this game. This is something he really, really desired for so many years. I know he’s looking down right now, saying ‘Job well done.’

“There were a lot of people who said it would never get done,” Peterson said. “But I think perseverance is the right word here.”

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Who has the edge?: A reporter jokingly asked the two coaches who would have an edge with the game being played in Kansas City.

Before she could finish, MU coach Gary Pinkel had the answer.

“Missouri,” he said matter-of-factly. “Missouri will.”

After the laughs died down, KU coach Mark Mangino chimed in.

“What can you get to (quicker)? Lawrence or Columbia?” he quipped.

Columbia is roughly twice as far from Arrowhead as Lawrence is, though neither is a taxing commute.

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Series history: The Border War game hasn’t been played outside of Lawrence or Columbia since 1945, when the game was played at Blues Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Overall, the game has been played 21 times in Kansas City – most between 1891 and 1910. The 1907 game was played in St. Joseph, Mo.

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Reid signs: Former KU linebacker Nick Reid signed a two-year contract with the Chiefs last week, with plans to play in NFL Europe this spring.

With the deal, Reid will leave for Florida for training camp in early March, then start play in Europe in April.

Reid signed with the Chiefs last spring, but was one of the final cuts before the regular season started.

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KU receives commitment: Rivals.com reported that Houston wide receiver Johnathan Wilson has committed to Kansas.

Wilson, 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, picked Kansas over Arizona State and Iowa State.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 20, 2007

Jayhawks get kicker: Kansas University secured an oral commitment from Stephen Hoge, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound kicker out of Oklahoma City.

With kicker Scott Webb and punter Kyle Tucker both slated to be seniors in 2007, recruiting a possible replacement for both became necessary. And Hoge could cover both.

Hoge is rated by Rivals.com as the 13th-best kicker in this class, but he also doubles as a college-caliber punter.

Having a player who could serve as both is valuable because it ultimately could open up another spot on the travel squad. KU had the luxury the last two years, as Dane Broadie served as the backup to both Webb and Tucker.

Hoge had an offer from Western Michigan and interest from Michigan State, Colorado State and Southern Mississippi, according to Rivals.

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Cornish to play: Jon Cornish will play his final game as a college player today, when he will suit up in the East-West Shrine Game. The game will start at 6 p.m. from Houston and be televised on ESPN2. Cornish, wearing No. 29 on the West squad, is expected to get a lot of touches. His teammates at running back are Iowa State’s Stevie Hicks, Texas’ Selvin Young and Houston’s Jackie Battle.

The game, like many all-star games, serves as an opportunity to impress professional scouts, but a bulk of that work is done. Cornish has been in Houston all week practicing in front of dozens of NFL personnel. Being a native Canadian, Cornish already has been drafted to the CFL as well.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Jan 8, 2007

So much for that trip to Sin City.

The Las Vegas All-American Classic, one of college football’s few postseason all-star games for senior standouts, was canceled Friday – just 10 days before its scheduled kickoff.

That’s bad news for Kansas University wide receiver Brian Murph, who was invited to play in the 2007 game and showcase his talents for professional scouts. He was to join several Big 12 Conference seniors in Vegas, including Missouri safety David Overstreet and Iowa State defensive tackle Brent Curvey.

Officials canceled the game because of a drop in sponsorship revenue and a primary money lender falling through. The announcement comes after significant progress was made since the 2006 contest. Sixteen players from last year’s game were selected in the NFL Draft, and the NFL Network signed a multi-year deal in August to televise the game on its budding cable channel.

This year’s showdown was scheduled for Jan. 15 at Sam Boyd Stadium on the UNLV campus. But Murph and dozens of other players invited instead will be staying home.

“We are embarassed at such a late notice, but it is due to working so hard and trying to make the game happen,” said director Darry Alton, who added that a return in 2008 was targeted under new ownership.

“Vegas is still the best place in America for an all-star game, and next year the game will be bigger and better,” Alton added. “Just not under my reign.”

Former KU linebacker Nick Reid played in last year’s game, a 41-3 East victory.

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Cornish still on: That leaves five senior all-star games to be played: the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27, the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 20, the Hula Bowl on Jan. 14, the North-South All-Star Classic on Jan. 13 and the Texas vs. The Nation Game on Feb. 2. The latter two are new games.

KU running back Jon Cornish has been selected for the East-West Shrine Game, which will be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Jan. 20 and be televised on ESPN.

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New commit: Kansas received an oral commitment from defensive back Chris Harris on Sunday.

Harris, a 6-foot, 180-pounder out of Bixby, Okla., took his official visit to Kansas this weekend and committed before leaving, according to Jon Kirby of Rivals.com. Harris had offers from Colorado State, Iowa State and Wyoming.

Harris was recruited by defensive coordinator Bill Young, who, coincidently, coached Harris’ uncle at Tulsa in the early 1980s.

“When he found out coach Young was my recruiter, he told me there will be nobody better,” Harris told Rivals. “During the recruiting, he was very straight-forward with me, and that’s one thing I liked about him.”

Signing day will be Feb. 7.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Dec 11, 2006

Kansas University’s football team had its second big recruiting weekend wrap up Sunday with another oral commitment.

Richard Johnson Jr., a defensive end out of Jefferson City (Mo.) High, committed to Kansas on Sunday morning, according to Rivals.com. A 6-foot-4, 260-pound athlete, Johnson had offers from KU, Illinois and Ball State.

Rivals estimates that at least seven recruits took official visits on campus this weekend, including a couple who already have chosen KU – Sedgwick fullback Steven Foster and St. Louis quarterback A.J. Steward.

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Talib honored: KU sophomore cornerback Aqib Talib was named second-team All-America by Sports Illustrated, which released its selections last week.

Talib had 28 passes defended this season (six interceptions, 22 breakups), easily the best mark in NCAA Division I-A. He did it while playing in only 10 games.

The sophomore has a chance to be on one of the Associated Press’ All-America teams, which are expected to be released this week.

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Former Jayhawks pursued: Former KU offensive lineman Scott Haverkamp, who transferred a year ago and just finished a season at Butler County Community College, has committed orally to Georgia.

Haverkamp, who never cracked the starting lineup in his two years at KU, had an offer from Arizona State and strong interest from Florida State, according to Rivals.

Another former Jayhawk, tight end Jim Reuber, is being courted by Div. I schools out of Tyler (Texas) College, his third school in three years. Schools like Michigan State and Mississippi are showing strong interest.

Reuber red-shirted his only season at Kansas in 2004.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Staff     Nov 27, 2006

Talib’s future: Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino was asked about the professional possibilities of cornerback Aqib Talib, who’s expected to be an NFL-caliber cornerback when he’s done at Kansas.

Talib, just a sophomore, is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft after this season because he has been in college three years (including a red-shirt year). Mangino, however, said Talib didn’t feel he was ready.

“He has not entertained those thoughts,” Mangino said. “He’s a pretty smart kid, and he knows he could use a little more grooming here.”

Talib leads the nation with 28 passes defended despite playing only 10 games. At 6-foot-2 with speed and instincts, he fits the mold for an NFL cornerback.

“When he’s done playing here,” Mangino said, “he’s definitely going to be a highly respected prospect.”

To the future: With the Jayhawks off this week, seven KU coaches will hit the road recruiting for the next several days.

Mangino said Sunday that all-around improvement was needed with personnel, but he specifically mentioned the secondary and offensive line.

The secondary loses safety Jerome Kemp and cornerback Dominic Roux this season, but it was a thin unit throughout the year. The O-line, meanwhile, loses starting center David Ochoa and guards Jake Cox, Bob Whitaker and Travis Dambach.

With need for immediate help, those two positions will be the focus in junior-college recruiting.

“There’s a couple of other areas that we’re looking at,” Mangino said, “but I would say those two areas right now.”

Kansas has received oral commitments from eight high-school players so far.

Jayhawks in the NFL update: Former KU offensive lineman Justin Hartwig, now a center for the Carolina Panthers, was placed on injured reserve this week because of a groin injury.

Hartwig signed a five-year, $17 million deal with Carolina in the offseason, but played just two games because of the injury.

Elsewhere, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Charles Gordon recently joined the active roster after starting the season on the practice squad. Gordon has one tackle this season.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 22, 2006

Meier fine: A couple of throws by KU quarterback Kerry Meier against Kansas State last week reminded some of the underthrown fade pass he threw against Toledo on Sept. 15 that was intercepted in double overtime.

It was later learned that Meier had a shoulder injury when he made that throw at Toledo, raising questions as to whether Saturday’s two interceptions could be pinned on that injury lingering.

“Health is not an issue,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “It’s not an issue.”

Instead, Mangino said the ill-advised throws were a matter of touch, not a tweak.

“Just getting it there, that’s all,” Mangino said. “He’ll be OK.”

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He’s booked: Like every year, former KU coach and legendary MU hater Don Fambrough will speak to the team this week on why the Kansas-Missouri game is special in his eyes.

“He’s been pumped since South Florida week,” Mangino quipped. “This game is big for coach Fambrough.”

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Minnesota bowl-bound: Minnesota, led by former KU coach Glen Mason, has accepted an invitation to play in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.

That means that the Gophers will play a Big 12 Conference team in the Dec. 29 bowl game. Kansas is a possibility for that game, but only if it beats Missouri on Saturday.

Mason has been at Minnesota since leaving Kansas, but never has faced his old school since coaching KU from 1988-96.

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Eleven honored: The Big 12 announced that 11 KU players were named to the Academic All-Big 12 teams, including seven on the first team.

First-team athletes have a grade-point average of 3.20 or better, with second team being awarded to GPAs between 3.00 and 3.19.

KU’s first-teamers were kicker Dane Broadie, defensive end Russell Brorsen, receiver Jeff Foster, long snapper Zack Hood, receiver Jonathan Lamb, defensive end John Larson and kicker Scott Webb.

Matt Mann, Sadiq Muhammed, Mike Rivera and Jake Schermer made the second team.

¢
Players of the game: As expected, running back Jon Cornish was named KU’s offensive player of the game for the Kansas State game after rushing for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive honors were split between Brorsen and tackle James McClinton. No one was chosen for special teams.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 14, 2006

QB consistency?

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino said Monday the quarterbacks were as healthy as they’d ever been, presumably leading to no surprises during Saturday’s game.

“We’re going to proceed the way we had the last game,” Mangino said. “There’s no major change in store.”

That means freshman Kerry Meier will start and receive a majority of the snaps, with fellow freshman Todd Reesing possibly being inserted for a couple of series.

Doing all right

The one scholarship quarterback we haven’t seen yet is getting increased work on the scout team.

Shawnee Mission West product Tyler Lawrence has quarterbacked against the first-team defense in practice for most of the season, a position that Mangino said has made him noticeably better.

“We like Tyler,” Mangino said last week. “You can see the progress that he’s made from the time we started training camp until now. He has a bright future for us.”

That’s a record

With Saturday’s game being shown on Fox Sports Net and next week’s Border War game with Missouri being aired by ABC, Kansas will finish the regular season with seven of its 12 games on television – a school record.

Double honor

Not surprisingly, Kansas State players got some postgame love after shocking No. 4 Texas, 45-42, Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman was named Big 12 offensive player of the week Sunday, while punt-return specialist Yamon Figurs shared special-teams player-of-the-week honors with Colorado kicker Mason Crosby.

Freeman won the offensive award for the second straight week.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 7, 2006

Kansas University’s Nov. 18 football game against Kansas State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and be televised by Fox Sports Net (Sunflower Broadband channel 36).

It’s the second-straight season the KU-KSU game will be televised. Last year’s 12-3 K-State victory also aired on FSN.

With Monday’s announcement, it’s assured that the remainder of KU’s games will be televised. In addition to the K-State game, KU’s regular-season finale at Missouri on Nov. 25 will air on ABC. Kickoff for that game is 11 a.m.

¢ SoCal bound?: With bowl season inching closer, the bowl projections are out in full force – and some include Kansas in sunny Southern California next month.

Collegefootballnews.com projects the Jayhawks going to San Diego and playing Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 19. ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach also predicts a Utah-Kansas matchup in San Diego.

Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel projects Kansas in the Poinsettia Bowl against Air Force.

The Poinsettia Bowl is not affiliated with the Big 12 Conference, but it does have an at-large berth that’s up for grabs. Considering the Big 12 could have nine bowl-eligible teams and only eight bowl tie-ins, the team left out could be an appealing BCS squad for the second-year bowl.

Kansas, of course, has business to take care of first. At 5-5, it needs one more victory in its final two games to be bowl-eligible.

¢ Other projections: CBS Sportsline, MSNBC and ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel do not project Kansas playing in a bowl game. CBS and MSNBC picked Northern Illinois to snag the at-large berth in the Poinsettia Bowl, while Maisel thinks UCLA will get it.

None of the major sites project Kansas playing in a Big 12-affilated bowl game.

¢ Former coaches struggling: Two of KU’s former football coaches are struggling elsewhere in 2006.

Minnesota coach Glen Mason, who led Kansas from 1988 to 1996, has coached the Gophers to a 4-6 record this year. It has led to speculation concerning Mason’s future in Minneapolis, though the Gophers did rebound and crush Indiana, 63-26, Saturday to end a mostly putrid six-week stretch. Minnesota needs to win out playing at Michigan State and Iowa to be bowl-eligible.

Down in Division I-AA, first-year Missouri State coach Terry Allen, KU’s leader from 1997-2001, has led the Bears to a dismal 1-9 record, including an 0-6 mark in the Gateway Conference.

Missouri State’s lone victory was a 45-14 victory over Division-II foe Southwest Baptist.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Nov 2, 2006

¢ Still mum: Kansas University coach Mark Mangino’s last meeting with the media before Saturday’s game at Iowa State passed with no hint who might start at quarterback for the Jayhawks.

Mangino said after the Colorado game – and Todd Reesing’s solid second-half effort – that he wasn’t going to discuss the position anymore, and daily attempts to get hints as to Saturday’s starter were unsuccessful.

He was asked Wednesday how freshman Kerry Meier was progressing from a shoulder injury suffered Oct. 21 at Baylor.

“He’s doing good,” Mangino said, declining to get more specific.

After practice, Meier was seen throwing passes to tight end Derek Fine, as he has after practice in the past. It’s believed that if Meier isn’t ready, Reesing will be the guy.

¢ No radio: Mangino’s weekly Hawk Talk radio show today is canceled because of KU’s men’s basketball exhibition game against Washburn.

¢ Back on his feet: Linebacker Brandon Duncan (ankle injury) was dressed out and seen leaving the practice field on Wednesday, though he had a noticeable limp.

Duncan hasn’t played since Sept. 23 against South Florida. He was a backup linebacker who played extensively on special teams and had seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble before getting hurt.

¢ McClinton honored: KU defensive tackle James McClinton was recognized by the Big 12 Conference on the league’s inaugural Fall Sports “Good Works” team, that honors a student-athlete from each school who participates in significant community service and has good academic standing.

McClinton has 34 tackles and three sacks this season.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 29, 2006

Quarterback update: Kansas University coach Mark Mangino did not disclose who would play quarterback at Nebraska during his weekly radio show Thursday, though he did answer a question on whether Adam Barmann and Kerry Meier may rotate in and out throughout the game.

“That’s not the plan at all,” Mangino said. “That won’t happen.”

Freshman Todd Reesing continues to work with the third-string, and Mangino said the plan was to red-shirt him if at all possible. He didn’t think Reesing would see the field Saturday, though he wouldn’t say who he thinks would.

¢
Stuckey may play: Mangino said through an athletic-department spokesperson on Thursday that free safety Darrell Stuckey, out since preseason because of an ankle injury, is showing significant improvement this week and may play against Nebraska after all.

Mangino confirmed Wednesday that linebacker James Holt would see limited action on Saturday, but at the time thought Stuckey wouldn’t be able to play. Now, it appears there’s a chance.

Stuckey was the projected starter at free safety before the August injury.

¢
Injury bug: Nebraska likely will be missing a few key players Saturday because of injury.

Weakside linebacker Steve Octavien (hamstring) is expected to miss Saturday’s game, as is senior center Kurt Mann, who’s missed the last three games because of mononucleosis.

Running back Cody Glenn, who also tweaked his hamstring and missed last week’s game, is expected to play.

¢
New award: KU has added the “Galen Fiss Award” onto its list of awards handed out to players at its postseason banquet. The award will be given to an outstanding football player who demonstrates exemplary service to the campus and community. Fiss played at Kansas from 1950-53 before playing for the Cleveland Browns. A lifelong Jayhawk supporter, Fiss died in July at the age of 75.

Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

By Ryan Wood     Sep 28, 2006

Still no word on Meier

There still is no definite word on quarterback Kerry Meier’s availability, and it’s likely nothing will be made public before Saturday’s game.

Meier, who suffered an undisclosed injury at Toledo and missed last week’s game against South Florida, is continuing to be monitored as he makes his way back into the rotation on the practice field.

“He’s feeling a lot better,” KU coach Mark Mangino said Wednesday. “He really is. We still just don’t know. Is he ready to play today? No, but we don’t play today. Could he be ready by Saturday? Yes, he could be. But we just don’t know.”

Mangino said the staff likely would know Friday who will play. He balked when asked directly if Meier’s the guy if healthy, but then entertained the question briefly.

“If he feels good and there’s no chance of any further problems and he can function, that possibility exists,” Mangino said. “But we just don’t know.”

Holt will play

Mangino confirmed linebacker James Holt – out since preseason because of a foot injury – would be on the field against NU.

“You’ll see Holt in some limited work this Saturday,” Mangino said.

Free safety Darrell Stuckey, meanwhile, out due to an ankle injury since preseason, will not play against Nebraska.

Bears add Rideau

Former Kansas University wide receiver Brandon Rideau was added this week to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears.

Rideau joined the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2005. He split his rookie year between Cleveland’s practice squad and active roster, but did not appear in a regular-season game.

Rideau was waived by the Browns on Aug. 28.

Bring out the noise

Kansas moved practice to Memorial Stadium, in part to use the venue’s elaborate sound system. An irritating replica of crowd noise was played during practice, with an occasional Nebraska fight song mixed in. In addition, the video board flashed “Go Big Red” continuously throughout practice.

“It was very interesting. Real loud,” linebacker Eric Washington said. “Hopefully they’ll be a little louder than that. We’ve got a pretty nice system up there, though.”

“Our grass practice fields are wearing down a little bit,” Mangino said, “so we’ll probably start coming here a little more.”

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