Volume 126 Issue 18
A worry-free week for football
COMMENTARY
kansan.com
There are two takeaways from watching Kansas football on Saturday. First, it's nowhere near ready to compete with the big 12. The play calling makes you want to rip your hair out, the wide-outs can hardly receive and once again it seems the Jayhawks' specialty is giving the ball away.
September 23,2013
There might've been a few bright spots aside from their punting prowess, but entering the fourth quarter the Jayhawks only mustered three points against a Louisiana Tech team that lost to Tulane at home.
Keep that in mind as you register this: The Kansas football team is 2-1.
The Jayhawks made a 10-point comeback in the fourth quarter and snapped a 22-game losing streak to FBS schools.
You could argue which point is more important.
"It was incredible that we were able to battle through adversity the whole game," quarterback Jake Heaps said after his second victory as a Jayhawk. "It shows the strength of our team and having chemistry with one another."
Nevertheless, those flaws exist and they'll likely cause the Jayhawks more heartache than happiness this season. You can't have great play from a quarterback without receivers that can hold up their end of the bargain, save for Tony Pierson.
Matt Wyman couldn't have become Saturday's hero if Pierson hadn't streaked down the middle of the field for a 29-yard reception moments earlier.
But Pierson did get open for a brief moment, and everyone in Lawrence will know the name Matt Wyman today, and for a week at least, the Jayhawks have a winning program.
"I knew he was going to make it," linebacker Ben Heeney said of Wyman. "It's rare for him to miss, we practice for that every day. Coach Weis will say if Matt makes it, we don't have to run, if he misses it we have to run. I knew he was going to make it."
Wyman made it and the Jayhawks still ran, only this time it was to celebrate with their kicker where they formed a mob of screams and smiles.
Just don't think this means Kansas is ready to take down its own conference. It's been 21 games since the Jayhawks surprised the Big 12 - and it was a surprise, with Kansas making a 35-point comeback in the fourth quarter against Colorado - because every flaw that fans were able to pick apart on Saturday will be seen again in film rooms in Lubbock, Texas next week.
For now, what difference does it make? The students of this university deserve a week to enjoy a win without fear of an impending loss, and that's exactly what Kansas earned.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Freshman placekicker Matthew Wyman kicks the game-winning 52-yard field goal Saturday to beat Louisiana Tech. It was Kansas' first win against an FBS opponent in 23 games.
IT'S GOOD
Late turnovers set up game-winning field goal for Jayhawks
chybl@kansan.com
CHRIS HYBL
When Kansas kicker Matthew Wyman left the Anderson Family Football complex Saturday afternoon, hardly anybody knew who he was, but everyone was aware of what he had just done. What he had done was nail a 52-yard field goal with 0:02 seconds left to lift Kansas over Louisiana Tech 13-10 - snapping a 22-game losing streak for the Jayhawks against FBS opponents.
Hardly anyone recognized the 6'2" 180-pound, backpack-wearing Wyman, who was going to meet his grandparents who were in attendance at the game. Wyman walked past numerous fans' tailgates, all of them happy, caught up in music and beverages, lending Wyman no more special
of a glance than any other stranger. Little did they know, the cause of their celebration was walking by without any recognition.
"I always wanted to be famous, so I guess I'm a little famous," Wyman said.
"The couple of turnovers late gave us a chance. We bounced back and tied it," head coach Charlie Weis said. "Then we went for a play that we practice almost
Some may know Wyman's name now, but Kansas was fortunate to even have a chance to win the game. The Jayhawks kept the game close in what was an ugly first three quarters for the Kansas offense, but two Louisiana Tech turnovers in the fourth quarter gave Kansas the chance to set up Wyman for the game-winning 52-yard field goal.
everyday and Wyman goes on to win it with his field goal."
Kansas scored on both possessions following Louisiana Tech turnovers in the fourth quarter. Kansas first took the ball 80 yards to the end zone midway through the fourth quarter, when tight end Limmay
"We changed everything for this game. We had cards, all new signals."
Mundine did the dirty work on a short pass from quarterback Jake Heaps, pounding and spinning his way beyond the goal line for Kansas' first and only touchdown of the game.
and less than 1:30 to go when Kansas linebacker Michael Reynolds stripped the ball from Louisiana
JAKE HEAPS
Kansas quarterback
The next turnover came late in the fourth with the game tied at 10
Tech running
Tech running back Kenneth Dixon at the KU 5, allowing Kansas lineman Keon Stowers to pounce on the ball.
"The ball bounced around and went to their player, then to
our player, then back to their player," Stowers said. "He [Dixon] kind of had it in his hand, and then I ripped it away.
I put both hands on it and I wasn't letting anyone get it away from me. I even had guys on my team trying to rip at the ball, I was
like 'nope."
Kansas then drove the ball down the field to the La. Tech 35-yard line, setting the stage for Wyman.
One of the bigger sub-plots of the game was post-game, when Heaps shed light on the new offense that was utilized for the first time against Louisiana Tech.
We changed everything for this game. We had cards, all new signals," Heaps said. "I think our offense, during practice, handled that so well and that was a big deal - how these guys could respond, how they could handle it. We pretty much changed the whole operation of our offense in one week and these guys handled it really well."
Despite Heaps claiming the
SEE VICTORY PAGE 8
VOLLEYBALL
Jayhawks continue to sweep tournaments
BRIAN HILLIX
Kansas (10-3) swept all of its matches this weekend to win the Kansas Invitational, marking the Jayhawks' third tournament title this season.
bhillix@kansan.com
With wins over North Dakota State, Georgia and Notre Dame, Kansas improved its winning streak to six matches as it closed out the pre-conference schedule on Sunday. After a stretch that included nine out of ten matches on the road, the jayhawks'
returned home for consecutive
matches for the first time this season
"We don't always have the best starts in tournaments," redshirt senior middle blocker Caroline
jarmoc said. "We did really well. I think we definitely brought the
Jarmoc
**oad Warrior mentality home."**
After nearly a week's rest, the Jayhawks stepped back on the court to face North Dakota State in the tournament opener on Friday. Junior outside hitter Chelsea Albers and sophomore outside hitter Tiana Dockery posted 14 kills each with a combined attack percentage of .628 in a 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 victory. With a team attack percentage of .458, the Jayhawks eclipsed the .400 mark for the first time this season.
the first time this season.
Five hours later, Kansas returned to the court to take on Georgia, a team that had experienced just one loss all season. Dockery and junior outside hitter Sara McClinton led the way with 14 kills apiece while freshman middle blocker Tayler Soucie had a team-high four blocks as the Jayhawks defeated the Bulldogs 25-17, 25-23, 25-18.
Road Warrior mentality home.
As the only undefeated tournament team remaining on Sunday, Kansas took on Notre Dame in a
--rematch from last year in which the Fighting Irish defeated the Jayhawks in four tight sets in South Bend, Ind. After splitting two close sets, Kansas sprinted to the finish and claimed the next two sets to win the championship 25-22, 19-25, 25-20, 25-16.
After trailing 4-5 in the third set, the Jayhawks didn't allow the Fighting Irish to take the lead for the rest of the match. Jarmoc, Soucie and McClinton reached double-digit kills to pace the offense. Senior libero Brianne Riley, senior defensive specialist Jaime Mathieu and freshman defensive specialist Cassie Wait anchored the defense with double-digit digs each.
Averaging 13 assists per set and dishing out 130 in three matches, senior setter Erin McNorton was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. While it is uncommon for a setter to be named
SEE SWEEP PAGE 8
Volu
9
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
The Jayhawks celebrate a victory against Notre Dame, ranked 25th, on Sunday.
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