6B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2005
FOOTBALL
One last try for bowl game play
BY RYAN COLAIANNI
rcolaianni@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
It all boils down to one game.
At 5-15, the Kansas football team needs to win against Iowa State on Nov. 26 in order to qualify for postseason play.
"It's important for us to be ready," said Kansas football coach Mark Mangino. "It's our last opportunity to make ourselves eligible for postseason play. It's an important game for our team, for our seniors who have worked so hard."
Kansas had a chance to quality last week if it had defeated Texas, but instead the team produced its worst defensive performance of the year by allowing more than
600 yards of total offense. The lahwavas lost the game 66-14.
Kansas senior quarterback Jason Swanson said he didn't think his team would be focused on last week's defeat while preparing to face Iowa State.
"This team is really good at letting losses go. We've been in positions before when we've lost games," Swanson said after the game Saturday. "This is a loss. It doesn't matter what the points are — it's still an 'L.' We'll be putting it behind us by the time we get on the bus."
Mangino emphasized that the team now had a one-game season.
"For the next two weeks, all we are interested in talking about and focusing on is Iowa
It's our last opportunity to make ourselves eligible for postseason play. It's an important game for our team, for our seniors who have worked so hard."
Mark Mangino
Kansas Football coach
State," Mangino said after the loss to Texas. "It's a good time to have a week off, but we are not thinking about last week's game."
Kansas has another week and a half to prepare for its contest against Iowa State.
Kansas is 5-0 at home this year, so if that's any indication, it should have a good chance to top Iowa State.
The Jayhawks were in a similar situation two years ago when facing the Cyclones at home in the final game of the season.
Kansas came into the game at 5-6, needing one victory to qualify for bowl competition. Kansas defeated Iowa State and qualified for the Tangerine Bowl.
— Edited by Becca Evanhoe
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
Senior quarterback Jason Swanson tries to get rid of the ball with Texas senior defensive tackle Rodrigue Wright in pursuit. Swanson passed for 148 yards and one interception during the loss against Texas in Austin. The Jayhawks have this weekend off before facing Iowa State on Nov. 28 at Memorial Stadium.
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