Late Nebraska surge sends KU to 31-17 defeat

What was once a season of high expectations continued to be one of broken dreams for KU.  The seniors said farewell in Lawrence with a hard fought loss to Nebraska 31-17 running their losing streak to 5 games.  


Nebraska scored on their first possession.  Roy Helu Jr. recovered a fumble by quarterback Zac Lee in the end zone to make it 7-0.

After a series of seven consecutive punts, the Huskers got back on the board after a 37 yard pass to Niles Paul to the KU nine.  The drive stalled and Alex Henery kicked a 25 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Nebraska.

Kansas responded with a 13 play 80 yard drive as Reesing ran in from five yards out on quarterback draw and the Husker lead was cut to 10-7.  It was the first rushing TD allowed in 14 quarters by Nebraska.

On the last possession of the half, KU drove to the Husker 16 and Jacob Branstetter hit a 33 yard FG as time expired and the score was tied at 10-all.

On the opening drive of the second half Kansas let a golden opportunity slip away when Reesing hit Kerry Meier crossing over the middle for a 16 gain.  As Meier cut inside the Nebraska 10, Dejon Gomes punched the ball loose from behind and the Huskers recovered on their own 4.

Nebraska then drove to the KU 11, but a tripping penalty and a Max Onyegbule sack of Lee at the KU 17 meant the Huskers had to settle for a field goal and a 13-10 lead..

The Cornhuskers tacked on another field goal to make it 16-10.  But Kansas responded with maybe their best drive of the year, 89 yards on 10 plays, with Reesing hitting Dezmon Briscoe for a 21 yard scoring strike with 7:34 to go and a 17-16 lead.

A poor decision by KU to pooch the kickoff led to a big return and set up Nebraska on the KU 31.  Then a critical facemask call gave Nebraska a first down followed by a Helu Jr. touchdown run of 20 yards and a 2 Point PAT made it 24-17 and when KU couldn’t get anything going, Nebraska ran down the clock with Helu Jr. scoring one last time with :29 seconds left.

The KU defense actually bottled up Nebraska for much of the game, but Helu piled up 156 yards rushing, all but 39 in the second half.

After a slow start Reesing played well and his line protected him all day.  Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh was never a factor.  The record setting senior QB was 19 of 41 for 236 yards and a TD pass and TD run.  He also rushed for 42 yards.  The loss drops KU to 5-5 with games against Texas and Missouri ahead.

As college hoops begin some baseball tips that will help

College basketball season officially tips off tonight in the midwest because top ranked Kansas plays their first regular season game at home against Hofstra.  It should mark an easy win for the Jayhawks even though the Pride have won 20 games in four of the last five years.

But before we take off on the hardcourt action, my mind is still wandering back to baseball.  A few weeks ago I was speaking with longtime major league catcher Brent Mayne on a program I was hosting on www.sportsradiokc.com.  Mayne and I have known each other for around 15 years and I’ve always enjoyed his approach to the game and his blunt analyzation of himself and other players.

At the time he was ranting about the clear inability of many major league baseball players at knowing what to do on the base paths.  To quote Mayne, “For the love of God, freeze on a line drive.”  It’s amazing how some of the basics of the game become glaring weaknesses when you reach the playoffs and World Series, because players are  rarely asked to do the things that are needed in those key situations in championship events.

Bunting is another example.  Former major leaguer David Howard said the other day you can count the number of good bunters in baseball on one hand.  They’re awful and when they’re asked to do it in the playoffs, they flat out can’t.  It’s a basic skill but one that’s never taught anymore.

That brings me back to the now infamous Johnny Damon double steal.  Clearly it was a game changing event in the World Series, but as Mayne pointed out, it didn’t occur because of just an instinctive reaction by Damon.  It happened because Johnny Damon had already visualized the play happening in his mind.

Damon told reporters after the game that they had discussed it during the season when teams had put the shift on Mark Teixeira.  He knew Pedro Feliz would cover second and  Brad Lidge should cover third, but he couldn’t make the move until he saw the events unfold they way they did.  He anticipated what would happen.

Mayne said great players make use of the in-between time during the game visualizing all the possibilities.  The players who seem to be in the right place at the right time (Jeter, Mauer, etc.) are there because they see the action in their mind before it happens.

Mayne said there are two things to learn from the Damon play.  

1. Anticipate action.

2. If you think you know it all and have seen it all in baseball, you’re full of crap.

Choosing the Heisman winner is like a search on Where's Waldo

Where oh where is our Hesiman trophy winner this week?  Well how about this for a list.

Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Kellen Moore, Case Keenum, Mark Ingram, Ndamukong Suh and Toby Gerhart all get to be a part of the discussion.

Let’s start from the bottom up.  Gerhart rushed for 223 yards in Stanford’s upset of Oregon Saturday.  It’s not like he’s an unknown.  The 235 pound sledgehammer is second in the nation in yards per game with 135.  He’s had two 200 yard games, been held under 100 yards twice with 82 and 96 and is second nationally with 16 TD’s

Last season he rushed for over a thousand yards and and this weekend he can make another statement against USC.  We’ll be watching.

I said a couple of weeks ago Suh might be a great defensive lineman, but he’s not the Hesiman winner.  Well, he’s doing everything he can to change my mind.  He continues to disrupt games in all facets defensively.  He’s a ferocious pass rusher and run stopper, he’s exceptional in batting down passes at the line and he can even drop back in pass coverage.  He won’t win but he’s something to watch.

Ingram had 144 yards on the ground against the LSU Tigers, 106 in the second half.  He’s averaging 6.6 yards per carry.  But he has half the touchdowns of Gerhart.  Still, he plays for Alabama and the Tide have never had a Heisman winner.

Keenum can’t do anything else to make a statement for the trophy.  Last week he led a two touchdown rally against Tulsa in the final 21 seconds of a one point win.  He also threw for over 500 yards for the second straight week.

Moore led unbeaten Boise State as they held off an upset bid from Louisiana Tech.  The quarterback who leads the nation in passing efficiency at 169, threw for 354 yards and three TD’s. On the season he has an incredible ration of 27 TD passes to just 3 interceptions. 

Tebow is still the quarterback on the number one team in the country and their most valuable player, but he’s not having an exceptional season, even though he’ll be sitting in New York when they make the announcement.

Colt McCoy still holds the slightest of edges right now for me.  He was helped last weekend by having a non conference game where he threw for 470 yards and connected with Jordan Shipley for a school record 273.  He has a chance to add to his numbers this week against Baylor.

Tony and October Gonzalez get naked

Former Chief and present Atlanta Falcon Tony Gonzalez and his wife October recently posed for a nude photo in support of PETA's campaign against fur.  No complaints here.  I'm a fan of fleece.

Buyer beware on Larry Johnson

Monday the Chiefs said farewell to their often troubled running back Larry Johnson.  No real surprise.  Two weeks ago he’d bad mouthed his coach. made derogatory about gays on Twitter and made a gay taunt at reporters in the locker room.   It was just the final straw in a career of troubles in Kansas City.

He’s a player on the downhill slide after carrying the ball 416 times in the 2006 season.  He’s got enough baggage that the airlines will charge him double when he shows up at the ticket counter.

He lives in a fantasy world where speaking with Dan Patrick on his radio show Tuesday, he said he hoped to come back to KC in three or four years and finish his career there so he could become the Chiefs all-time rushing record holder. 

Now that he’s gone, he says a big fan of Todd Haley as a coach and liked the way he was changing the culture in the Chiefs clubhouse.  Will anyone else in the NFL pick him up?  You bet.

Someone will take a chance on him.  They might not claim him off waivers so they can negotiate a cheaper free agent deal with him.  Houston is reportedly interested.  The Bears might be as well.  Other teams will take a look.

I’ve seen him up close, on the field and in the clubhouse.  His skills are declining and he’s never been a breakaway back.  On a team with a very good line, he might be able to help, but why would you risk all the problems.  After numerous on and off field issues over several seasons Johnson has each time claimed he’s a changed man.  He isn’t.

He’ll sign and play somewhere, but buyer beware. 

The Big 12 north is where the action is, even if it's mediocre action

Last Saturday brought a great deal of clarification to the Big 12 north.  Bill Snyder continued round two of the Miracle in Manhattan in leading Kansas State to victory over Kansas and taking another step toward the most surprising division title in the Cats history.

The Wildcats can’t pass, but despite that flaw, they have developed a conservative offensive attack centered around running back Daniel Thomas that minimizes turnovers and allows their defense to keep them in games.  It isn’t what Snyder would like to do, but he’s turned to this philosophy because of the talent he has and he’s winning.

The Cats get Missouri in Manhattan this weekend and the Tigers are reeling almost as badly as Kansas.  Despite a 468 yard passing performance by Blaine Gabbert at home, the Tigers managed to give one away to Baylor.  Missouri’s defense has fallen apart and   gave up 427 yards passing to the Bears third string QB, Freshman Nick Florence, not that I’d expect Grant Gregory to have a field day passing Saturday, but I can’t pick against the Cats the way they’re playing.

If it weren’t for Nebraska somehow winning against Oklahoma, K-State would have the north all but wrapped up.  While the Cornhuskers actually have an advantage over K-State due to the schedule the rest of the way, I can’t for the life of me pick them to win the north because they have absolutely no offense.

Against the Sooners, Nebraska managed one touchdown on a two yard drive off a turnover, but it was enough to win thanks to their defense.  They had nine, three and out possessions against OU and neither quarterback Zac Lee or Cody Green have shown they can move the ball against a non Sun Belt conference defense.

This week the Huskers travel to Kansas to play a Jayhawk team that has lost four straight.  As well as the Nebraska defense is playing and as bad as KU’s situation is, you’d think this would be a walkover for the Big Red, but I’m not sure they can score, particularly on the road.  Kansas could be a huge spoiler.

Nothing has changed in the south and Texas gets back into conference play against Baylor after a record setting day last week against Central Florida.  Roommates Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley shredded the Golden Knights and the Longhorns won’t be caught off guard after Baylor’s win against Mizzou.

Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are playing for bowl game position when they meet in Stillwater Saturday night.  Tech’s defense has been putting pressure on QB’s and is third in the country with 30 sacks. I expect this to be much more of defensive contest than expected.  A couple of trivia notes.  The Red Raiders lead this series 9-4 since the Big 12 was formed and since 2000 they have the third most league wins (45) behind Oklahoma and Texas.

Chiefs cut out the cancer that was Larry Johnson

After two weeks of waiting and wondering, most Chiefs fans got their wish as the club released running back Larry Johnson.  

The seven year veteran, who’d been under suspension for the past two weeks thanks to his derogatory comments on Twitter about his coach and gays, was cut loose and now can be claimed off waivers.  With the money remaining on his contract that’s unlikely, but if he’s not claimed he’ll be free to sign with anyone.  

The release of Johnson means he won’t get a chance to become the all time leading rusher in a Chiefs uniform, ending 75 yards short of Priest Holmes mark.  That wasn’t lost on fans who started a petition last week asking for his release so he wouldn’t break the record.

When he met with the media, coach Todd Haley said the Chiefs had decided it was time to move on.

“It wasn’t any one thing,” said Haley.  “It was the totality of the situation.  At this time we felt that it was what was best for the Kansas City Chiefs as we move forward.” 

Veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel said the move wasn’t a surprise to him.  “Apparently he wasn’t fitting into the plans for the Chiefs.  That’s been the message since Scott (Pioli) and Todd have been here.  They want guys who are going to fit into what they want to do and their plans.”

The Chiefs will be moving to running back by committee with Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith taking the brunt of the load, but Haley as offensive coordinator needs to give them the ball more than the 10 times they got it against Jacksonville.  You don’t establish a running game when you don’t even attempt to run.  Today he admitted he should have called more runs against the Jags and it’s his job to find a way to win no matter what.

“There’s a way to win these games and we haven’t done it,” said Haley. “So as far as I’m concerned I’m not doing my job.”

Next up is Oakland.  Don’t put it past Al Davis that LJ will be wearing silver and black next Sunday.

Final score looks much better on paper than reality for Chiefs

This game wasn't as close as the final score indicates.  I'm not sure what the bye week did for the Chiefs, but it didn't improve their offense.  It wasn't any worse without Larry Johnson, but two weeks didn't make it any better.

The Chiefs got on the board for just the third time this season in the first quarter as Ryan Succop hit a 45 yard FG on Kansas City’s first possession, but the lead didn’t last.

The Jaguars drove 79 yards on nine plays with rookie Rashad Jennings breaking through the defense for a 28 yard touchdown run and 7-3 Jacksonville lead.

For a guy that was going to get his first real chance to play thanks to Larry Johnson’s suspension, Jamaal Charles had just two first half carries and Kolby Smith had four.

DaJuan Morgan recovered a Jags fumble on the Jacksonville 20 but the Chiefs could only manage another Succop FG to cut the deficit to 7-6.

The defense did get pressure on Jags QB David Garrard, but not enough to keep him from being effective against a makeshift secondary with Jerrod Page and Jon McGraw out.  With just over a minute to go in the half the coverage broke down as Mike Sims Walker was wide open for a 61 yard TD pass and a 14-6 lead.

The second half would have been better had I been sitting in the sun taking a nap it was so boring.  The Jags Josh Scobee kicked a 27 yard FG for a 17-6 lead and Maurice Jones Drew closed out the Jags scoring by carrying better than half the defense ten yards into the end zone.  He ended with 97 yards on 29 carries. 

Kansas City did nothing offensively until Matt Cassel hit Chris Chambers who just signed with the team this week for a 54 yard TD with just over two and a half minutes to go.  A recovered onside kick and another TD pass to Chambers from five yards out and a two point PAT made it a 24-21 game.

KC didn’t convert a third down situation until the fourth quarter, which as Todd Haley has said all season is unacceptable.

Charles averaged six yards a carry but only had six carries.  Kolby Smith had 4 carries for 17 yards in his return, all in the first half.

Cassel’s passing numbers look decent with 262 yards and two TD’s, but over half of the yardage came in the final two and a half minutes.  The loss drops KC to 1-7 with Oakland up next on the road.