Highway Robbery; Hawks Steal Away Into Bye Week at 2-1

Source: KU Sports

On a sun-bathed Kivisto Field, in front of 39,823, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs out-Kansased the Kansas Jayhawks. Leading 10-3 with 14:09 left in the fourth quarter and driving into Kansas territory, Bulldog quarterback Ryan Higgins made his unabated way into the red-zone and down near the front corner of the end-zone. Veering toward the sideline and down close to the five yard line, Higgins got greedy and cut back towards the pile-on for the deafening knock-out punch. Had he scored, Kansas would have been down 17-3, and, given the offensive performance to that point in the game (3 points on 256 total yards and two interceptions), would have faced a a very steep, slippery uphill battle. But Higgins didn't score.

With his right foot still in bounds and his left off the ground above the white chalk, Higgins stretched his arms and the football out towards the goal-line, but lost handle of it in the effort. The ball went through the end-zone, and although he was initially ruled out of bounds at the two yard-line before the fumble, after further review, Kansas was awarded possession via touch-back.

Then, after Kansas drove the length of the field in just 2:49 and scored the tying touchdown on a 22 yard catch and run from Jake Heaps to Jimmay Mundine (yes, that Jimmay Mundine), Kenneth Dixon fumbled in the Kansas red-zone in his fury to get more yardage.

Just 10 plays earlier, Louisiana Tech had possession of the football on their own 15, with 6:02 left in the game, tied at 10. They proceeded to move the ball up the field 80 yards on 10 plays. On that tenth play, RB Kenneth Dixon gashed the Kansas defense up the middle on what looked like the back-breaking play for the Jayhawks, down inside the ten.There was just 1:33 left in the game, and Kansas didn't have enough time-outs to give them enough time to answer a LA Tech field-goal or touchdown. But Dixon struggled frantically, for some unintelligible reason, to get more and more yardage. In the attempt, spinning and stumbling, he had the ball wedged out of his grasp by KU's Michael Reynolds. The ball squirted around the field like a bar of soap, slipping out from under diving players, until finally, a mob of players dog-piled on the KU 5. After a frustrating scuffle, Kansas's Keon Stowers emerged from the pile, football in hand, and Memorial Stadium exploded (if only the tremor could have cracked and disintegrated the track...). It was the kiss of death for Louisiana Tech, and renewed hope for the Hawks.

Finally, finally, finally something went right for Kansas Football! The opponent made the egregious mistake, and Kansas made them pay. I must say, it feels weird being on the other side of things.

KU has had a penchant for losing close games these past few seasons, but today was one of those aberrations when every bounce seemed to go Kansas's way. And that is perfectly justified...

Kansas took possession at the 5 and drove 60 yards on 7 plays. On the 8th play, in one of the most poetic ways imaginable, Kansas beat its first Division 1-A opponent since September 2011... on a 52 yard field-goal from walk-on Matthew Wyman.

LA Tech slunk off the field incredulously. They had shot themselves in the foot, and watched Kansas steal the game much like Rice had done to Kansas the past two years.

Before I go any farther, please check all your doubt, guilt, or any other negative emotion at the door. This is a day of pure celebration. This was the first 10 point game that Charlie Weis has won here at KU. He had lost his last 6.

And as banal as it sounds, it's true: an ugly win is always better than a pretty loss. Especially when you are Kansas and you haven't beat a Division 1-A team since September 2011.

Notes:
Justin McCay made a huge block on the Mundine touchdown. Also made a nice hit on special teams.

Tony Pierson should have knocked that pass down. Heaps charged with an interception.

Tony looks like a stronger runner.
Heaps made some tough high-traffic throws over the middle. Had to thread the needle a few times, and it was especially encouraging because big playmakers Bourbon and Pierson made tough catches in traffic.
Defensive ends stayed at home on read options. Most of the runs went up the middle.
Victor Simmons brought heat off the edge.
Dexter McDonald's physicality forced the Ben Heeney interception.
Dexter Linton has improved so much since he first stepped on campus. Done an excellent job at diagnosing screen plays and his closing speed and tackling are great. Will be very important against Big 12 competition.
Ben Goodman disengaged from a block and swatted a pass.
Kevin Young stayed on the quarterback on a play-action and drilled him for a sack.
Sims earned tough yardage late in the game. He always falls forward somehow.
Rodriguez Coleman caught a slant route over the middle of the field for a crucial third down...
Darian Miller is an excellent decoy when on the field. His effectiveness didn't show up in the stat-sheets.
Keba Agostinho had a big, late-game sack.
Michael Reynolds held tough on Dixon's hard-fought run to the end-zone and stripped the ball loose.