The goal line was so close yet too far for Kevin Kane. Early in the third quarter of Saturday’s 21-3 win over Tulsa, the Jayhawk linebacker jumped in front of a pass from Golden Hurricane quarterback James Killian at the 21 yard line. A wall of blockers opened the field in front of him, and Kane sprinted to the 15, then the ten, and, finally, the five. Suddenly, two Tulsa players grabbed his legs, and as Kane stretched out the football — think Kevin Dyson in the 2000 Super Bowl – he fell, timber-style, at the two yard line. Kane, admittedly, is not the quickest of linebackers (this play proved it), a fact that was not lost on his teammates and coaches. “I’ve already heard all the cracks,” Kane said after the game, “about my speed.” Kansas coach Mark Mangino joked about Kane’s “5.5 second” 40-yard-dash time in the post game press conference. Teammate Gabe Toomey led the clowning in the locker room. “Do you know how much crap he got about that?” Toomey asked. In the Jayhawks’ best defensive performance since 1999, it was a slow, white, forgotten linebacker from Rockhurst High School who led the way. On Saturday night, the Jayhawks showed defensive spunk that sorely lacked during last season’s nightmare, and their fourth linebacker should receive all the credit. Last season, while his teammates played matador defense (ole!), Kane was a forgotten man, watching from the sideline while KU fans showered Toomey with attention. Silently, however, Kane worked himself into a formidable linebacker, adding weight and playing valuable downs as Toomey’s backup. When fall practice wrapped up a week ago, Mangino unveiled a depth chart with four linebackers Kane, Toomey, plus juniors Banks Floodman and Nick Reid. Against Tulsa, the “Ferocious Four” showed its potential switching positions, dropping into coverage, and blitzing at appropriate times, registering two sacks and five tackles for losses. Off the field, Kane looks more Sigma Nu than Dick Butkus. Undersized and mangy-haired, he hardly looks like the answer to the Jayhawks porous defense. But as the Jayhawks enter a critical portion of their schedule, it’s Kane who is one of the most indispensable players on the field. He may not run fast, and he may not weigh 225 pounds (as KU lists him), but for the Jayhawks to win the next three games, Kane must be able. Now, if only he could play some offense:Week Two Predictions (Season: 2-1) Kansas 24, Toledo 10: Kane leads the Jayhawks to another stellar defensive performance. If the Jayhawks win their next three games, they will go to a bowl for the second straight season. Broncos 27, Chiefs 20: The Broncos won’t be anything special this season – think 8-8 – but they should be good enough to earn a season split with the Chiefs. Once again, questions linger about the KC defense. Olathe East 35, Free State 10: Bob Lisher’s Firebirds get a lesson from the 6A favorite. Does anything say high school football like a Thursday night at Memorial Stadium? Olathe North 20, Lawrence High 17: The Lions aren’t as bad as they looked last week, and will put a scare into the defending state champs. Upset of the Week: Troy State 27, Missouri 20. The Trojans play in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium. This will be an upset that’s worthy of a feature film.Big Tex’s Predictions (Romary’s Season: 2-1) Kansas 31, Toledo 21: KU’s offense will be better. Toledo can’t be worse than last week against Minnesota. Home field wins this one. Chiefs 38, Broncos 14: Priest is good. Clinton plays in DC. Plus, Rigg is a Bunco fan. Olathe North 28, Lawrence High 10: 5A, 6A, 1A :it doesn’t really matter where you put the Eagles — they are, without a doubt, the best team in the state. Olathe East 34, Free State 14: The Firebirds looked young against Shawnee Mission North and it cost them the game. Olathe East is much better than North. Andre Jones might run wild. Upset of the week: Texas St 35, Baylor 21: No, the Bobcats don’t play in 1-A. Hell, until two years ago, they were known as Southwest Texas St. They’ll be burning down San Marcos after upsetting the Bears. Or, like most other Bear opponents, no one will notice.