monday, September 22, 2003
sports
the university daily kansan
7A
Mid-American Conference: Don't overlook us anymore
The Associated Press
Wake up college football. Look out for the Mighty MAC.
The overlooked conference filled with directional schools and other disrespected programs had the biggest day in its history Saturday.
From Kansas to Alabama to the Glass Bowl in Toledo, Ohio, the Mid-American Conference sent a clear message to college football's big boys. Don't overlook us anymore.
"Heading into the weekend we
nad a sense our teams would compete well," MAC commissioner Rick Chryst said yesterday. "But I don't know if we ever have had a concentration of games on one day like yesterday. We've had teams spring upsets, but to have so many on one day against elite opponents doesn't happen often."
Marshall started the memorable day with a 27-20 victory at No. 6 Kansas State, the highest-ranked team even beaten by a MAC school.
Then Northern Illinois and
Toledo followed with big wins of their own at night, with the Huskies winning 19-16 at No.21 Alabama and the Rockets beating No. 9 Pittsburgh 35-31 at home.
Throw in Miami of Ohio's 41-21 win at Colorado State, which was ranked in the preseason poll, and Bowling Green's narrow 24-17 loss at No. 5 Ohio State and the MAC showed off depth that must make the ACC iealous.
"It was a roller coaster," said Chryst. "You're just tracking each
play and cheering like a fan. Everyone in the league shares in those wins. In the long term it really benefits us. In the short term it makes it that much tougher to get games like those scheduled."
And other big-name schools might be hesitant, too, as they don't want to see their championship aspirations thwarted in September.
Most of the slots are locked in to the big conferences,which can send teams that finish 6-6 to a bowl game while more deserving
teams from smaller conferences sit home and watch.
The MAC has provided five of the 15 wins by unranked teams against teams in the AP poll this season, matching its total from the previous 21 years, including the two against Top 10 teams. But it's likely only two of those teams will play in a bowl.
"Days like yesterday really help build awareness about our level of football," Chryst said. Northern Illinois' second win against a ranked team this season
the Huskies beat No. 15 Maryland 20-13 in their opener—put the school in the AP Top 25 for the first time ever at No. 20 this week.
Toledo, Bowling Green, Marshall and Miami also received votes in this week's poll, giving the conference as many ranked teams and as many teams with votes as the ACC.
"Right now, we're fighting like the devil to get respect for our league," Northern Illinois coach Jim Novak said. "This is a win we'll never forget."
FOOTBALL: Fourth quarter scores ensure Kansas' victory over Jacksonville State Gamecocks Satur
Tony Stubbs, junior safety, greeted fans after Kansas' victory on Saturday. The Jayhawks beat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 41-6
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12A
After a dry spell in the second period, coach Mark Mangino felt his team never fully let up on the Gamecocks, but may have slightly loosened its collar.
"We have to be mature enough to face adversity." Mangino said. "But we also have to be mature enough to handle success."
As night settled on Memorial Stadium, the dropping temperatures and tightened defenses kept both offenses at bay in the third quarter. The difference was Kansas' ability to wake up in the fourth quarter while Jacksonville State remained dormant.
Green started the fourth with a 13-yard touchdown run for his first score of the season, and reserve quarterback, sophomore Brian Luke, finished it by connecting with junior receiver Gary Heaggans for a 14-yard touchdown on the ensuing Kansas drive.
The two scores were the finishing touches on Kansas' third consecutive victory, and Jacksonville State's second straight defeat. The three-game winning streak is the longest for Kansas since 1997, when the Jayhawks started the season 3-0.
Whittemore lived up to his billing as the nation's second-highest rated passer. In just three quarters of action, the senior threw for 319 yards, completing 19-of-32 passes, two touchdowns through the air and two more with his legs. Whittemore's statline also included 62 yards rushing.
As Whittenmore will remain in the ranks of college football's toprated passers after his performance this week, his receivers have begun to notice a synchronicity with their flamethrower.
"I'd pick Bill over any quarterback any day," freshman receiver Charles Gordon said. "He makes good reads and throws nice balls. I don't know, he's great."
With his performance. Whittemore became the first quarterback in nearly three years to throw for 300 yards in a single game. That feat was last accomplished by Dylen Smith on Oct. 28, 2000 in a defeat to Texas Tech at Memorial Stadium.
Whittemore's night overshadowed a ground effort that saw
Kansas rack up 248 rushing yards, including Clark Green cracking the 100-yard plateau for the fourth time in his career and the first time this season.
Freshman John Randle once again added a spark off the bench, gaining a career-high 78 yards on just 11 carries.
The Jayhawks also came close to setting the record for total offensive yardage in a single game, falling 10 yards short with 641. The record of 651 yards was set in 1985 against Vanderbilt.
Defensively, the 234 yards Jacksonville State was able to amass on offense was far fewer than what the Jayhawks have allotted their opponents so far this season.
More pressure being put on the quarterback was also evident, as Kansas totaled a season-high six sacks. Even though the brunt of the Gamecocks' yardage came in a second quarter, after the Jayhawks' had a comfortable lead, the defense did not feel complacency was an issue.
"I think every guy wants to play four solid quarters," sophomore linebacker Banks Floodman said. "We did let up in the second quarter, I don't know why, but we got it corrected."
receited.
The biggest scratch on Kansas' night came with the news that Whittemore played a good portion of the game injured.
tion of the injury was unspecified, Mangino said Whittemore was not in harm's way, and would play next Saturday against
KU-JSU BOX SCORE
Att. Comp, Yds. TD. INT
Bill Whittemore 19 32 319 2 0
Brian Luke 5 5 77 1 1
Rushing:
Att. Yds. TD
Clark Green 22 108 1
John Randle 11 78 0
Bill Whittemore 7 62 2
Receiving:
Rec. Yds. TD
Brandon Rideau 5 106 1
Charles Gordon 5 80 0
Clark Green 4 39 0
Mark Simmons 3 89 1
JACKSONVILLE STATE
Passing:
Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT
Maurice Mullins 9 19 148 1 1
Anthony Mayo 1 6 13 0 0
Rushing:
Car. Yds. TD
Maurice Mullins 7 32 0
Marcus Mitchell 7 32 0
Kory Champman 7 15 0
Clay Green 1 11 0
Receiving:
Rec. Yds. TD
Milas Randle 3 38 0
Neika Willis 2 68 1
Maurice Daughtry 2 22 0
Marcus Mitchell 2 22 0
Missouri unless something unthinkable occurs.
"Unless somebody kidnaps him, he's going to be ready for next week." Mangino said. "You need a bazooka to get him off the field."
Edited by Erin Riffey
JACKSONVILLE STATE: Gamecocks' coach impressed by the ability of Kansas quarterback Whittemore
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 124
"That's the worst thing a quarterback could do, throw a ball into double coverage like that," Mullins said, "You just know that you're not supposed to do that."
Mullins was relegated to backup status this week because Anthony Mayo performed better in last week's 28-16 defeat to North Alabama. While Crowe said he wasn't happy with his team's quarterback play, Kansas signal caller Bill Whittemore
impressed him.
impressed him.
"Whitmore was more than good, he was special," Crowe said. "I've never seen one guy have such a large effect on a game."
game Willis was originally on the Gamecocks' roster as a defensive
back, but he was switched to wide receiver because of a lack of depth.
Since making the switch, Willis has experienced a tough transition, filled with a steep learning curve and injuries.
On Saturday though, he was
to forget his problems for one play. After catching the 57-yard pass, the first of his career. Willis was injured again in the second half. He will probably play in Jacksonville State's next game.
Overall, Crowe said he was
"As long as they move the ball, and their defense bends but doesn't break, they'll be all right." Crowe said. "They are a sound football team."
Edited by Joey Berlin