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SPORTS 5B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009
1in
Senior linebacker James Holt runs down the Minnesota quarterback during the fourth quarter in the Insight Bowl. Holt was credited for a sack on the play and was also awarded the defensive player of the game. Holt finished with three sacks for a total loss of 36 yards or at least a 84.
Seniors end careers with third bowl victory
tbern@kansan.com
Weston White/KANSAN
BY TAYLOR BERN
TEMPE, Ariz. — One last forced fumble, one final sack and a goal line stand to tell the grandkids about. These were the final plays from the greatest senior class in the history of Kansas football.
All the blood and sweat from four years of hard work — five for Rivera — came to fruition in Kansas' 42-21 Insight Bowl victory.
Under the radar because they were undersized or a step too slow, linebackers James Holt, Joe Mortensen and Mike Rivera all signed with Kansas and coach Mark Mangino. The senior trio combined for 35 tackles, three sacks and the strip and recovery of the game's only fumble.
"It was probably the best collective performance by all three in a game this season," Mangino said. "They really played great."
@KANSAN.COM
"We played our asses off," Mortensen said.
Minnesota made Kansas' dogged defense look like a goat early in the game. Wide receiver David Pittman took a reverse and chucked it to Eric Decker, who scampered 75 vards downfield.
The Gophers scored three plays later, then moved ahead 14-7 on their next drive. Coach Tim Brewster brought some new offensive looks to Tempe, and in the first quarter they worked perfectly.
In situations where the defense may have caved earlier this season, however, the linebackers rallied together and put a stop to any Minnesota momentum. Kansas forced a three-and-out on the next two possessions, and then Holt sacked Adam Weber for a 14-yard loss, knocking Minnesota out of field-goal range just before halftime.
Holt said tenacity and that ability to persevere were what his class would be remembered for.
"No matter how tough it gets, you're just going to grit your teeth and keep going," Holt said. "I think that's what our seniors were about ever since we got here."
Kansas forced another three-and-out to start the second half After that, Mortensen and Rivera
In case you missed it, all the Kansan's Insight Bowl coverage can be found on Kansan.com's homepage. This includes stories leading up to the game, press conference videos, game highlights and more.
teamed for Karissa' only forced turnover.
Rivera wrapped up running back DeLeon Eskridge in the backfield and ripped the ball from his clutches. Mortensen fell on the ball. One play later, Kerry Meter threw a 32-yard touchdown to Dezmin Briscoe.
"We had a very courageous performance on defense," Mangino said. "It was pretty impressive and it really hurt Minnesota."
The Gophers, trailing 35-14, rallied for a last-ditch effort to claim the Insight Bowl trophy, but Kansas' defense greeted them like a brick wall.
Weber started with excellent field position and eventually set up
first and goal at the seven.
On first down he rushed for five yards, all but guaranteeing a score. Minnesota moved one yard closer on second down. On third down, senior cornerback Kendrick Harper
— who started in place of suspended junior Justin Thoruton — shut down Shady Salamian for rogain.
"That's what we lie for," Rivera said "There were a couple inches there, and we were just fighting for anything we could. We just exploded into it."
"That just gave us all the momentum," Holt said. "We were just totally pumped."
Minnesota motioned two men out of the backfield, but Weber just fell forward with the snap. He needed one yard. Instead, he lost two.
Situation: fourth and goal from the one-vard line.
Holt said he and Rivera missed their defensive assignments — pushing the tight ends — and instead dove at Weber, forcing him backward.
Minnesota scored a fourth-quarter touchdown, but the victory was already within Kansas' grasp.
Mortensen said he and the other
seniors tried to soak in their final moments. On the field after the game, he reflected on four years in crimson and blue.
"It's been a great ride," Mortensen said. "I love my teammates, I love all my coaches. I had a great career here."
Asked if he would have a hard time taking off his jersey, Mortensen smiled.
"Hell yeah, but I'm keeping it," he said.
In the fourth quarter, Holt notched two more sacks for good measure, giving him a team-high 10 for the season. The Altus, Okla., native also led Kansas in tackles for loss (19.5) and total tackles (105).
Asked about their legacy, Mortensen and senior wide receiver Dexton Fields said they deserved to be put among the greatest classes in school history. Unsatisfied with that, Holt said his class shouldn't be with anybody else.
"That's the legacy that our team is going to leave here," Holt said. "We're the greatest senior class that ever came through KU."
Edited by Kelsey Hayes
2008 SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Result
8/30 vs. Florida International W 40-10
9/6 vs. Louisiana Tech W 29-0
9/12 at South Florida L 37-34
9/19 vs. Sam Houston State W 38-14
10/4 at Iowa State W 35-33
10/11 vs. Colorado W 30-14
10/18 at Oklahoma L 45-31
10/25 vs. Texas Tech L 63-21
11/1 vs. Kansas State W 52-21
11/8 at Nebraska L 45-35
11/15 vs. Texas L 35-7
11/29 vs. Missouri W 40-37
12/31 vs. Minnesota W 42-21
2008 FINAL INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing Att Yards Avg TD YPG
Jake Sharp 186 860 4.6 12 66.2
Angus Quigley 59 309 5.2 3 28.1
Passing Comp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD YPG
Todd Reesing 329-495-13 66.5 3888 32 299.1
Receiving No. Yards Avg TD YPG
Kerry Meier 97 1,045 10.8 8 80.4
Dezmon Briscoe 92 1,407 15.3 15 108.2
Jonathan Wilson 43 573 13.3 3 44.1
Defensive Tackles TFL Sacks Int FF James Holt 105 19.5-112 10-92 1-5 6 Darrell Stuckey 98 4.5-8 0 5-33 2 Mike Rivera 93 8-29 2-18 0 4 Joe Mortensen 90 8-21 2-8 0 1 Jake Laptad 38 8.5-45 7-36 0 1
| Field Goals | FG | 1-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50+ | Long | Blk |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Alonso Rojas | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 47 | 0 |
| Jacob Branstetter | 9-12 | 0-0 | 6-6 | 3-5 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 34 | 1 |
2008 FINAL TEAM STATS
Offensive yards per game: 432.4
Rushing yards: 126.8
Points Per game: 33.4
Defensive yards allowed per game: 396.7
Rushing yards allowed: 123.1
Points allowed per game: 29.5
Above: Junior running back Jake Sharp hugs a child after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Right: Junior quarterback Todd Reesing tries to evade a Minnesota tackle during the insight bowl. Reesing threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns in Kansas 42-21 victory.
Ryan McGeeney/KANSHN
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