Thursday, September 6, 2007
This weekend’s match-up against Southeastern Louisiana is not the first time the Jayhawks have squared off against a Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division 1-AA, opponent. In fact, the Jayhawks have scheduled an FCS opponent in all but one season of the Mark Mangino era. During Mangino’s tenure, Kansas has never fallen flat on its face against a lower-division foe. Here’s a look back at the Jayhawks’ last four games against FCS teams:
2002
Missouri State
Mangino had lost his first two games as coach at Kansas when Missouri State came to Lawrence in week three of the 2002 season. Kansas did not pummel Missouri State, only out-gaining the Bears by 29 offensive yards. Kansas quarterback Bill Whittemore threw two interceptions, but running back Clark Green tallied 131 rushing yards and the Jayhawks triumphed, 44-24.
2003
Jacksonville State
The 2003 season went a bit better for Mangino and the Jayhawks. When the Jacksonville State Gamecocks rolled into Memorial Stadium, Kansas was 2-1 and coming off of a victory against Wyoming. After the Gamecocks rolled out of Lawrence with a 41-6 loss on their résumé , Kansas was 3-1. The Jayhawks somehow accrued 641 yards of total offense, nearly three times the amount the Gamecocks could muster. Whittemore threw for 319 yards and wide receiver Brandon Rideau recorded 106 receiving yards.
2005
Appalachian State
The Mountaineers went on to win the FCS national title but were no match for the Jayhawks on Sept. 10. In front of 37,070 spectators, running back Jon Cornish battered Appalachian State, picking up 103 yards in the first big game of his Kansas career. The famed 2005 Jayhawk linebacking corps enjoyed a great day as Banks Floodman, Nick Reid and Kevin Kane combined for 28 tackles en route to a 36-8 win. The victory helped Kansas reach seven wins in 2005, good enough to earn a trip to the Fort Worth Bowl.
2006
Northwestern State
Jon Cornish once again feasted on an opponent from the FCS ranks, collecting 140 rushing yards in the season opener. It was an auspicious debut for quarterback Kerry Meier, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more. Kansas racked up 49 points to Northwestern State’s 18 and outgained the Demons on the ground by 147 yards.
This year’s foe, Southeastern Louisiana, might be the weakest of the FCS teams Kansas has faced recently. The Lions went 2-9 last season against largely unheralded competitors from the Southland Conference and lost the 2007 season opener to a low-level FBS team. Southeastern Louisiana lost to New Mexico State, 35-14, last week despite keeping the game close through the first half.
Speaking in a teleconference earlier this week, Coach Mike Lucas did not sound optimistic about his team’s chances at Memorial Stadium. He spent much of the conference call touting Kansas’ personnel.
“Kansas has two absolute monsters who are very athletic anchoring a very good offensive line,” Lucas said. “They have two very good running backs and their quarterback has a quick release and is throwing to a pair of big, athletic receivers.”
Lucas went on to speak highly of senior tight end Derek Fine and junior cornerback Aqib Talib. He said his team was intending to improve and sharpen its skills this weekend against Kansas. If past results provide any indication, the Jayhawks may not have their hands full against the Lions.
— Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
Players not underestimating next opponent
Though Kansas’ Saturday game against Southeastern Louisiana may appear to be an ...
Football Game Day: September 8, 2007
How do the Jayhawks compare to the Lions? Asher Fusco and Case ...
Defensive line answers Mangino’s call
After Kansas coach Mark Mangino called for a better showing from his ...
Another exciting week of college football
After some thrilling and unpredictable games in week one of college football, ...
Special teams, defense lead way in rout
The Jayhawks took until midway through the first quarter Saturday to begin ...
Football lines up FCS teams to ensure ...
The Athletics Department will continue to schedule FCS opponents for nonconference games. ...
Record Book: September 10, 2007
Recording the numbers for the 2007 football season.
Kansas dominates Southeastern Louisiana 62-0
The Kansas defense recored its first shutout since 2000 on Saturday against ...
Wheeler: Shutout not forecast of Big 12 ...
Though KU had its first shutout since 2000 last weekend, Southeastern Louisiana ...
McNeese State at a glance
Sports writer Ethan Padway takes at look at what McNeese State has ...
Fusco, Keefer: Kansas impressive but not perfect
The 62-0 victory against the Lions may have been expected, but it ...
Whittemore's return to Jayhawk football program welcomed ...
This season former Jayhawk quarterback Bill Whittemore will be making appearances on ...
Appalachian State raises more questions about ranking ...
At the end of each college football season, a normally controversial bowl ...
2008 nonconference schedule takes shape
The 2008 Jayhawk schedule will feature competition more inline with the success ...
Wheeler: Jayhawks will rebound with bowl victory
Bryan Wheeler makes predictions of a victorious Jayhawk football season.
Wheeler: Small-time opener benefits Jayhawks
Kansas’ easy schedule should allow the team to gain confidence and have ...
Cornish a surprise for football offense
Football schedule filled with pushovers
Along with a weak non-conference schedule, the Jayhawks don’t play some of ...
Big 12 football faces tough competition
Tougher match-ups, national exposure could prove beneficial to recruiting.
Injured Harper prepares for return
Return of cornerback may help Kansas’ passing defense in Big 12 opener ...
Sharp carries Kansas to victory
Junior Jake Sharp rushed a career high 31 times for 118 yards ...
Pass defense improves from previous seasons
The improved pass defense is one of many reasons why Kansas is ...
Cornish returns to Canada
Native Canadian Jon Cornish will continue his football career in Calgary, Alberta, ...
Jayhawks spear Buffaloes, 30-14
Jake Sharp leads charge as Kansas uses ground game to dispatch Colorado
Nation’s weekend pigskin roundup
TEASE
Kansas football program has improved
The success of the team stems from Whittemore and improved facilities.
Tulsa and Oklahoma face off this weekend
Other games to watch this weekend include South Carolina at Louisiana State ...
Morning Brew: Fusco on soccer, football and ...
Soccer coach schedules weaker teams for non-conference play; football fans should perform ...
Cornish joins Canadian Football League
Former Jayhawk turns down NFL free agent offers after being knocked out ...
Early schedule looks good for football
Opponents shouldn’t put up too much of a fight and the Jayhawks ...
Jayhawks undefeated covering the spread
The KU football team has impressed the nation with its 10-0 start, ...
KU won't overlook opponent
Upsets aplenty across conference, nation
The Jayhawks didn’t play Saturday, but there was plenty of reason for ...
Red zone woes lead to Jayhawk loss
Football report card: October 17, 2007
Sportswriter Asher Fusco evaluates the Jayhawks performance thus far this season
Bern: Michigan was overrated
Appalachian State’s 34-32 victory over Michigan may have been historic, but columnist ...
Patience is the virtue
After two years on the sidelines, junior runningback Angus Quigley has finally ...
Who’s the best in Texas?
If Michigan beats Wisconsin Saturday, the Wolverines would be undefeated in the ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID