SPORTS
6B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2004
'Flash' strikes again
Despite Kansas' loss Charles Gordon shines on defense
By RYAN COLAIANI
rcolaiani@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWINTER
While the Kansas football team may not have been able to get the victory on Saturday against Colorado, sophomore cornerback Charles Gordon showed why he is one of the best cover corners in the nation.
Gordon picked two passes of two passes from Colorado junior quarterback Joel Klatt, giving him six interceptions on the season. His six picks now lead the Big 12 Conference, and he tied with two other players for the most interceptions in the country.
Both of Gordon's interceptions were in tight coverage and came only after he made acrobatic catches, but he said there wasn't anything special about the way he was playing.
"I had a guy in my face both times, and I had to just go up and focus on the ball," Gordon said. "Just reading the quarter-
Charles played phenomenal today. He's a playmaker and he makes plays. He stepped up big time and helped us out like he does every game."
Kevin Kane Junior linebacker
back, seeing the ball in the air and just going and getting it."
Gordon nearly had a third interception in the fourth quarter, as he came darting across the field, dove and caught the ball. But as he hit the ground he landed on the ball and lost it.
Gordon was shaken up on the play and left the game with the wind knocked out of him, but he returned to the field just a few plays later.
If the interceptions were not enough, Gordon also recovered a fumble and had a sack to go with
his four tackles. He played on the offensive side as well, catching a pass for 22 yards. Gordon also returned two punts for 20 yards.
"Charles played phenomenal today," said junior linebacker Kevin Kane. "He's a playmaker, and he makes plays. He stepped up big time and helped us out like he does every game."
"I don't like to brag about my players, but he's got to be among the best; at least the top 15 in the country," said Kansas coach Mark Mangino. "He makes interceptions, covers people, returns punts, and in his spare time we put him on offense."
Gordon said he wasn't concerned with getting overworked and that he did not feel overly tired after the game. Mangino even joked about using Gordon to alleviate the Jayhawks' quarterback woes. Gordon said the last time he played quarterback was in Pop Warner.
If Gordon's one throw this season is any indication, he would be a good fit, as he is one-for-one with a 22-yard touchdown toss.
Edited by Ryan Green
Charles Gordon, sophomore defensive back, chases down Colorado junior quarterback. Gordon picked off two Joel Klatt passes during the game. Kansas failed to capitalize on four Colorado turn-overs losing, 30-21 Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
TRAMPLE: Offense limps to finish line in loss
CONTINUED FROM 1B
Kansas' next points came very quickly. After giving Colorado the ball at its own 24-yard line, sophomore safety Rodney Harris recorded an interception at the Colorado 28, setting Kansas up for a three-play drive. Randle had another two-yard score to put the Jayhawks ahead 14-0, just under four minutes into the game. However, Kansas' offense was about to be shocked out of its success by the loss of Swanson.
A ntite more than two minutes after leading Kansas to a two-touchdown lead, Swanson was forced off the field by Colorado's senior tackle, Matt McChesney
McChesney said after the game that Swanson did not look happy as he climbed off of him.
"I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, but I got a pretty good lick on him," he said.
With sophomore Adam Barmann in street clothes, Mangino turned to senior walkon. John Nielsen.
Nielsen last played against Kansas State on Oct. 25, 2003, when quarterback then-starting quarterback Bill Whittemore left with an injury. Until this week, junior Bryan Luke had been listed as the reserve quarterback, however Nielsen took over that role after Luke's performance last week.
"Give credit to John." Mangino said. "just three weeks ago he was running the scout team offense."
Mangino said that Nielsen took about 12 snaps per day in each of this week's practices. All week he was prepared to be the backup, which Nielsen said allowed him to feel more comfortable then when he was surprised against K-State.
"This week in practice, I got a lot more reps in there," Nielsen said. "I felt a lot more prepared than last year."
Down 14-0, Colorado scored 17 unanswered points to take the lead away from Kansas. Included in that run was a 41-yard fumble
recovery shortly after Nielsen entered the game. Dominique Brooks returned a Randle fumble 41 vards for a touchdown.
This was the third consecutive week that an opponent has returned a Kansas miscue for a touchdown right after a new quarterback entered the game. Against Oklahoma, Swanson fumbled, and junior Brian Luke did the same thing against Iowa State.
"That fumble early in the game that was picked up and returned for a touchdown certainly stung, because we had momentum," Mangino said. "Turnovers can kill you in a tight game, and that particular turnover hurt us because of a momentum swing."
Kansas' last score came on
"T hat fumble early in the game that
Mark Mangino Football coach
was picked up and returned for a touchdown certainly stung because we had momentum."
another 80-yard drive, this time of 12 plays. That drive was highlighted by two career-long passes by Nielsen. The second, of 27 yards, capped off the drive and was caught by senior Brandon
Rideau, Kansas took a 21-17 lead, but was unable to defend it.
Kansas' best performer in the game was sophomore cornerback Charles Gordon. Gordon led the team in interceptions with two, had a fumble recovery and a quarterback sack. He also caught a pass for 22 yards, the seventh game this season in which he had a catch.
His six interceptions for the season gives him sole possession of first place in the Big 12 in total picks, and ties him for first in the nation.
"I played pretty good," Gordon said. "But bottom line is, we lost."
Edited by Ryan Greene
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