KU - Louisiana Tech Afterthoughts

Even with the chill & drizzle coming down, it was a great crowd for last saturday's Louisiana Tech game with an announced attendance of 48,621. The Hawks received the opening kickoff & took the ball right down the field, but had to settle for a Jacob Branstetter field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. Branstetter, an Air Force transfer, was declared eligible by the NCAA late last week & saw his first action of the season. Branstetter finished the night hitting all three of his field goal attempts. He did miss on an extra point, but Mangino stated in his press conference yesterday that it was due to a dropped hold. He also remarked that he hadn't decided if Branstetter or Grady Fowler would handle the place kicking duties this friday against South Florida.

Todd Reesing continues his steady play. He is staying in the pocket more & giving all of his receivers a look before tucking the ball & making plays on his own. He ended the first half by completing 19 of 24 pass attempts for 215 yards. He only misfired one time during the second half and ended the night by connecting on 32 of 38 attempts for 412 yards along with 3 td's.

The running game continues to need improvement. Anqus Quigley led the attack with 84 yards on 15 carries. He did remind me of Brandon McAnderson at times the way would be tacklers seem to bounce off his legs. He is methodical in his running style and just seems to chug along once he breaks thru the line. Jocques Crawford is seems to be coming along slower than anticipated and all signs point to Quigley getting the bulk of the carries against South Florida.

I am going to call the Jayhawk receiving corp one of the best in the Big 12. They have a great mix of athletes who can do numerous things which help to compliment the passing game. Daymond Patterson started for the injured Dexton Fields and continued to turn heads with his 2 touchdown 130 yard performance. He makes people miss & has another gear to get by would be tacklers. Dezmond Briscoe took a short pass across the middle from Reesing in the third quarter & broke numerous tackles as he rumbled into the endzone for a 48 yard TD reception. Kerry Meier continues to be a possession type receiver who always keeps the chains moving.

Clint Bowen's defensive squad continues to shine as they have yet to have a TD scored upon them this season. They withstood a 22 play, 82 yard drive in the first-half to keep Louisiana Tech off the board. Darrell Stucky ran down a would be touchdown in the 3rd quarter after the speedster from Tech had sprinted for a 78 yard gain to the KU 2-yard line. Three playes later & a missed field-goal attempt helped preserve the Hawk shutout.

The Hawks go on the road to face a South Florida team that held on to beat in-state rival Central Florida. Friday's nationally telivised game will begin at 7:00 on ESPN2 & I am getting word that the athletic department is very pleased with the number of Hawk fans who will be making the trip to Tampa Bay for the game.

Smoking Tree in New York

I was going to take this time to discuss the Hawks holiday weekend trip to Canada. I have spoken with a few people who traveled and witnessed the games & had received some emails from others regarding what they saw from the Coach Self's young squad. With that said, I guess I should discuss just what the hell went down in New York regarding "KU Hero" Mario Chalmers & Darrell Arthur.

What were these two knuckleheads possibly thinking when they decided to enjoy some weed & women while in New York on official NBA business? How many people attend an AA meeting with a beer in their hand, or a Sex Anonymous meeting with a Playboy tucked underneath their arm. Way to go guys, you just labeled yourself as a pothead before you even broke a sweat in the NBA.

I have heard the excuse today that marijuana isn't that bad and should be legalized, thus they really didn't do anything wrong. That's not the point..........It is an illegal substance and one that can cost a person their career, not matter how much money they make. I am no angel, and don't hold myself up high and cast stone's on others, but make your money, enjoy your career, and when you are done......smoke all the grass you want.

Since the end of KU's magical run thru the NCAA tournament we as fans have not had much to cheer about. Darrell Arthur's high school eligibility comes into question, Sherron Collins cannot show-up to court, and Markieff Morris is firing off BB's out his dorm window. I also question how the twins are bringing in over sized flat screen t.v's & lavish furnishings at the awe of other students in Jayhawker Towers.

We all thank Coach Self and the rest of the squad for all they do and the Championship they brought home, but let's not allow our athletic programs to run amuck. Aqib Talib failed numerous drug tests while at KU & you can't possibly believe that Tuesday night was the first time Chalmers & Arthur experienced pot.

Jayhawks - FIU Afterthoughts

I took a few things away from the game against FIU this past weekend and hopefully we can build on the game as I believe we have a tough Louisiana Tech squad heading into town this saturday. We need to be able to rush for more than the 128 yards we grinded out on saturday. Coach Mangino stated in his press conference today that FIU was stacking the box and daring us to throw the ball. That may be correct, but with the big uglies up front we should still be able to run better than we did.

With that said, our O-line play needs to improve. The pocket was collapsing around Reesing all night forcing him outside where he kept encounterinig the defensive ends. This was the first live action for these guys and I look forward for much improvement as they break-down game tape and correct mistakes.

We have a great group of receivers in Kerry Meier, Dexton Fields, Dezmon Briscoe, & Jonathan Wilson. Meier is always steady & Briscoe can catch anything thrown his way. I believe you all will come to love Wilson as he was voted the player that will suprise the most by the rest of the team coming into fall camp. No word out of Lawrence yet pertaining to the injury Fields sustained.

Daymond Patterson is the answer to our punt return problems. He racked-up 135 yards on 4 returns including 75 yard touchdown dash down the sideline that included hurdling a would-be tackler. Take away his TD return and he still averaged 20 yards per return.

Enjoy the win KU fans as Louisiana Tech rolls into town this Saturday fresh off a 22-14 home vistory against Mississippi St. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. central time & will be broadcast on FSN. Former KU great & NFL Hall of Famer Mike McCormack will be inducted into the Kansas Ring of Honor.

Stone's Thoughts On The Hawks

Heading into this weekend's opening game has caused me to reflect on what I was thinking this time last year. My main worry was would our defense keep doing enought to keep us in the games each week. Over the course of the past few years our defense was the lone bright spot. Every week they played their heart out and . Nick Reid, Banks Floodman, & Gabe Toomey began the run of outstanding linebacker tandems that continues today. The Hawks' were in most games until the defense began to wear down in the second-half due to the inability of the offense to move the ball. Our defense was there, now we just needed an offense to materialize.

Hello Todd Reesing..........He gave us stability at quarterback that we haven't had since the days of Bill Wittemore (and that can even be questioned). We managed to go a whole year with one guy leading the team down field. Coach Mangino & Kerry Meier get a lot of credit for making this happen. Coach Mangino for having the stones to go to a guy her recruited to be his QB and lead the squad, and asking him to take one for the team and step aside. Kerry Meier for not letting his ego get in the way and learning to help the team in other ways. We have found our team!!!!

Getting back to the upcoming season and I have a level of excitement that I haven't had in quite a while regarding KU football. While excited, I am also a realist and realize that this is all new to us and the team. I believe the team will go into this season playing with a chip on their shoulder and continue using that for motivation throughtout the year. As far as Hawk fans we need to set our sights high, but not unobatinable.

I see the South Florida game as key to our season. If we can go into their backyard and grab a win, then I think our confidence will explode. If not, then the doubt pertaining to our schedule will begin to creep into our minds and the pundents will come out of the woodwork to say, "I told you so." This game is the key to our season.

We also need a win against on of the so-called Big Three from the south division (OU, Texas Tech, or Texas). I hope I am wrong, but I do not see us getting a win in Norman, so that leaves the other two. Can Mangino's squad rebound off a loss to OU and be ready to face the high octane offense of the Red Raiders in Lawrence the following weekend?? I believe we can and predict this game to be a tight one which the Hawks pull-out.

Win's against K-State at home & Nebraska on the road (yes, we will end the streak in Lincoln) sets-up a big game against Texas back in Lawrence. Colt McCoy has to improve a lot for me to think that this kid can lead the Longhorn's. I just cannot buy into the Texas-sized hype when it comes to this kid. He makes way to many mistakes for me and I think the Jayhawk's get it done this time.

That sends us into Arrowhead to face the Tigers and let's face it, we picked a bad time last season to play our worst game of the season. The Tigers will be an even better team this year. They now have a great defense to go with the arm of Chase Daniels. If they come in undefeated then all the expectations and pressure will be on their shoulder's. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain and our maturity & experience this season will get the job done.

That sends us to the Big 12 Title Game, but our season hinges on the outcome of the South Florida game. Get a victory in Florida and we are on our way. Lose that game and it becomes a matter of us getting our confidence back and getting on a roll. Good Luck to Coach Mangino & the 2008 Kansas Jayhawk's

Random Notes From Mt. Oread

Five days till the 2008 season kicksoff and the excitement is building around Mangino's squad. The depth chart for week one opponet Florida International was released this afternoon. A few key notes that I noticed were the size of the O-line (6'3" 314 - 6'3" 305 - 6'3" 295 - 6'4" 315 & 6'3" 311). Mangino line play has improved every year and size has been a huge factor in that improvement.

The Wichita Eagle reported in a story that ran in yesterdays edition that Sherron Collins has found himself in Coach Self's doghouse once again. It was reported that Collins arrived overweight and was not in good condition for the start of an eight day camp to prepare for the teams Canada tour which begins this weekend. Will the kid ever learn to walk away from the table. He is the leader of the team now and needs to start acting like an upperclassman.

If anyone sees Markieff Morris with a BB gun, please advise him that he playes for and represents KU, not the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The Kansas Athletic Department has decided to plant upwards of 100 pine trees around the new practice fields in an effort to shield the team during workouts. This green project will also cost the department $90,000 in green as well. The 10 to 20 foot tall pines will be planted along Mississippi Street, as well as the north and west side's of the fields. Looks like the rest of the Big-12 will have to devise another way of shutting us down this year.

Mangino Signs Little Rock WR

Neal Barlow a 6-6 2oo pound wideout out of Little Rock gave Coach Mangino his verbal commitment for the 2009 class last night. The three star recruit also had offers from Arkansas as well as Missouri, and he canceled a visit to LSU a few weeks ago.

The Pulaski High School three-star recruit is listed as the No. 71 ranked receiver according to Rivals will be an instant red zone threat due to his height advantage. He will also be able to stretch the field with his 4.50 40-yard dash speed.

Neal totaled 1164 yards on 81 receptions last season as well as bringing in 11 touchdowns. He is the 14th commitment and first receiver to commit to the Jayhawks for the 2009 class.

C-Ya Ronnie Chalmers,,,Hello Mr. Henry

Ronnie Chalmers, father of Jayhawk Final Four hero Mario Chalmers, announced earlier this week that he was leaving the KU program to pursue other interests. Ronnie, we appreciate your committment to KU hoops over the past three seasons, but we appreciate you even more for bringing your son with you. With that announcement Coach Self has an opening for a Director of Basketball Operations and if I were him I would be looking no further than to Carl Henry. There are a couple of coincidences regarding Carl Henry and Ed Manning (Danny Manning's pops who also became a package deal, er coach at KU). Like Ed Manning, Carl Henry has ties to the NBA. He has scouted for the Dallas Mavericks and like the elder Manning, he is also a truck driver. We know how well the Manning Sr. and Manning JR. combo paid off for KU, and we also know how the elder Chalmers and younger Chalmers faired as well. Who needs to overpay an over-hyped AAU coach (K-State & Delonte Hill) when you can go out and get a recruits father back into the game and back at his alma mater. We will see you on the bench in the fall of 2010 Carl Henry & your son hitting jumpers on the court.

http://www.xavierhenry.org/

Random Notes

Have heard from others that have seen Coach Mangino on campus that the head-man has dropped a couple of sizes. Have not seen for myself but hope coach is concerned about his health. We have a lot invested in him and he is being "exposed" to the media more and more.

KU is opening up as a 37.5 favorite agains Florida International on Sportsbook.com This is a site I use to have a little fun and place a few bills on games. Opening weekend is a difficult weekend to bet on, but other games I like for openers include: Texas -37.5 over Florida Atlantic, Tennessee -7 over UCLA (especially with Ben Olsen's injury). Don't shoot me, but also think K-State -24 over North Texas might be a good play. Will post my bets each week and update as well. I don't get to carried away, but just have a little fun. Am still playing with the same money that I deposited into my account before the 2006 season began.

I found a website this winter during basketball season for watching games online that you cannot get on television. Channelsurfing.net let's you watch games, NFL games, MMA fights, Olympic coverage, MLB, etc.....Have heard good things about it and yet to hear of anyone having any problems. Check it out!!!

News From The Hardwood Hawks

Coach Self signs new 10 year - $30 million contract to keep him guiding the Jayhawk program. The money comes from private resources and no University funds will be used to pay the head man.

Coach Self just completed his fifth season and has an overall record of 142-32 (.816) and of course one National Championship.

"I have said many times that I cannot imagine a better place to play, or coach, than the University of Kansas."

In other basketball news, recent graduate Jeremy Case has joined the basketball staff as a graduate student manager. He replaces the position vacated by Michael Lee accepted an assistant coaching position with Gardner Webb in North Carolina.

Coach Self was quoted as saying, "Jeremy has the potential to be an outstanding coach. This will hopefully jumpstart his career in coaching." Congraulations to Jeremy Case as well as Michael Lee.

Once a member KU Nation, Always a member of KU Nation

Memorial Stadium On Jayhawks Side

Memorial Stadium, home of the Jayhawks, is also the home of a nine game winning streak by Mangino's squad entering the 2008 season. KU last lost at home on Oct. 14, 2006 by a score of 42-33 to Oklahoma State.

Last season the Hawks completed a 7-0 home record and with three non-conference games to open the 2008 schedule, KU looks to run it's streak to twelve games entering conference play.

Coach Mangino was quoted at the Big 12 media two weeks ago as saying, "The last two years, i think we've set a home attendance record. So the fans are turning out, and they're making it a hostile place."

Last season, the Todd Reesing led squad layed down a whipping on their home opponents by an average score of 56-11. They held four teams to seven or fewer points in what is considered to be their best season in school history.

The Jayhawks open the 2008 season against Florida International on Saturday, August 30th at 6 p.m. Tickets are available thru the KU's website at http://www.kuathletics.com/

KU Football Ranked 13th In USA Today Poll

KU, who returns 15 starters off last years 12-1 team begins the season ranked #13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. KU finished last season ranked #7 as they defeated Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Key losses for the Jayhawks include two All-Americans in cornerback Aqib Talib an offensive tackle, Anthony Collins. This is the fifth time the Jayhawks enter the season as a ranked team. The Associated Press had KU ranked in 1952 (17th), 1961 (8th), 1976 (19th), and 1996 (24th).

Georgia tops the poll followed by USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Florida

KU will face take to the field against five teams listed in the top 25. Mangino's squad will face number four Oklahoma, number seven Missouri, number ten Texas, number fourteen Texas Tech, and number twenty-one South Florida.

The Hawks begin practice Saturday and face Florida International on August 30 @ 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at KUAthletics.com or by calling 1-800-Go-HAWKS

USA Today Preseason Top 25 Poll

Mangino Shows Off His New Digs

Wednesday night Coach Mangino and his staff hosted an open house to show-off their new football complex. Hundreds of fans filed into the new $31 million facility to catch a glimpse of the new digs, and all came out amazed. The new facility has it all: From Coach Mangino's office, training rooms with underwater treadmills, underground practice field, and an enormous strength & condition area, this should help emensely in recruiting. Chris Howard, KU Associate Athletic Director for Football, states that with the opening of the new complex, KU is now in the top five when it comes to football facilities. For an audio and video tour click on the following links:
Football Complex Tour Part 1

Football Comples Tour Part 2

Season Win Total

The over/under at Sportsbook.com for KU's win total is 7.5, and over the course of the next few weeks I will break down my thoughts on where I believe KU will finish up the season at. Funny how in the past, we would gladly take a 7 win season and a third tier bowl game.....How things have changed.


Sat, Aug 30
Florida International
7:00 pm

Sat, Sep 6
Louisiana Tech
7:00 pm

Fri, Sep 12
at South Florida
8:00 pm

Sat, Sep 20
Sam Houston State
7:00 pm

Sat, Oct 4
at Iowa State

Sat, Oct 11
Colorado

Sat, Oct 18
at (8) Oklahoma

Sat, Oct 25
(22) Texas Tech

Sat, Nov 1
Kansas State

Sat, Nov 8
at Nebraska

Sat, Nov 15
(10) Texas

Sat, Nov 29
at (4) Missouri

Mangino Making the Rounds in the Press

Head Coach Mark Mangino is making headlines these days. He has appeared in a number of articles and interviews as he begins his 8th year in charge on Mt. Oread. He spoke with Sporting News Today about the lack of respect regarding KU's schedule last year. "It doesn't bother me at all. You tell me when there was a time that Kansas could beat the likes of Nebraska, A&M, Colorado, and Virginia Tech and you've got to sit here and defend your schedule. Times have changed, haven't they." On the upgrade of the Big 12 South teams on this years schedule he is quoted as saying, "Our goal is to eventually win a championship in this league. You want to play teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech. That's what it's all about."

Coach Mangino also received a raise as well as a contract extension this summer. His base pay is in the $2.3 million per year range that now runs through the 2012 season. He can also receive up to $675,000 in incentives if certain program goals are met. You can find further information regarding his new contract at KUsports.com

Start of Football Practice

Three days till the Fighting Mangino's take to the practice field. Mangino's squad takes to the practice field this saturday morning at their new practice facility. KU Football is hosting an open house tonight to coincide with the grand opening of the Anderson Family Football Complex.