• Shreveport times take on Kansas victory over La Tech...
• KC Star recap and look at the running situation...
• Column in LJworld about Stuckey...
• Another take on what may be our achilles heal...
• Box Score...
• Postgame podcast by the local sports guys...

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• Recap of the South Florida UCF game...

My thoughts on the game...There are a lot of positives that can be taken from this game.  Wasn't an overly impressive win from a score standpoint but I felt pretty good about the way we played considering the conditions.   First and foremost this defense has attitude and is going to take a lot of pride in their performance.  Stuckey is a flat out stud, dominated last night and looks like a linebacker half the time on running plays.  That said we need to stay healthy and the defensive line is going to have to continue to improve. 

Offensively there is still more to be desired.  The receivers are incredible and Todd is Todd, but the offensive line is flat out getting beat on too many plays and the running backs look extremely hesitant.  Another area where I think we are missing is tight end.  We are very young here and Derek Fine seems to have been a much bigger loss than we could have anticipated with the youth and inexperience that has had to fill that void.  Love the passing production but we've got to continue to improve and I would like to see a little more of Angus "the beef" Quigley early in the game next week.

Special teams looks solid.  Daymond Patterson is impressive and will continue to be a major threat on punt returns.  The only hicup in the kicking game was the missed extra point but with the weather and how bad the kick looked my guess is a misshandled snap or hold so I'm not to concerned.  Finally punting looks to be much improved over last year, pinned two inside the 20.                                                                            

Yesterday Darnell Jackson inked a three year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers capping of one of the most amazing single years a man could have.  Going from a role player with little hopes of playing following his final year at KU, to a starter and major contributor on a national championship team, finally concluding with a three year guarenteed NBA contract which he probably never thought possible as recently as one year ago.  While Mario Chalmers shot will probably be remembered most from this team, for me Darnell Jackson exemplifies what it was that made this team a great TEAM.  They were great not because of superstars, but because superstars often took a lesser role and guys like Darnell Jackson stepped up into a greater roll.  I Bring this up because Darnell wrote an open letter to KU fans and the ljworld released it today...read it, soak it up, this is the greatest Athletic program in the country in my biased opinion and things like this confirm those thoughts.  Congrats to Darnell on achieving a dream and enjoy the letter KU fans.

I am a die hard KU fan.  I have been to numerous basketball games but have never made it to a football game since i live in Illinois.  I am attending my first football game the weekend of the 20th.  I was wondering if anyone had any idea on some good tailgating spots?  If tickets are needed to get into some spots would anybody have any idea on getting these tickets?  I thank anyone who has helpful advise...and as always....Rock Chalk Jayhawk Go KU

• AP Wire article about KU looking ahead...
• A personal piece on DT Jamal Greene from KC Star...
• Topeka Capital Journal looks at our new ballhawk Phillip Strozier...
• Another Daymond Patterson feature from the Kansan...
• Fox Sports preview of KU vs. La Tech...
• Looks like the kicking position may get a boost...
• Notes put out by the athletic department...

A couple other items of note...

1. I am surprised at how little press this team still seems to get despite last years success...
2. Rumors are picking up steam that the KU vs. South Florida game might see a change of venue due to Hurricane Ike I believe...one prossibility being thrown around was in either Kansas City or Lawrence...
3. Finally in light of the political election season I implore all of you to vote Kerry Meier for the best QB/WR/TE/P Hybrid in the country...I wonder if he could play DE or something as well :)   ?

In case you need more reason to like Joe Mortensen check out this awesome article from today's University Daily Kansan.  Joe Mortensen represents the type of person that has made Kansas relavent again in college football.  The cast off, not good enough, forgotten player that has a relentless desire to prove himself.  Joe and others in this program came here unheralded and play and work day in and day out with a monster chip on their shoulder and it has paid off big time for several and will continue to do so in the years to come.  My only hope is we can continue to find players like this and Joe will certainly be missed next year.  Wonder how the Huskers feel about this???

Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur find themselves in a bit of trouble early in their NBA careers.  ESPN is reporting the two made a bit of a poor decision during the NBA Rookie transition program currently underway.  The result is being thrown out of the program this year, having to repeat next year, some fines and possible suspensions.  Oh yeah and a bit of humiliation to go along with it.  Personally I don't see it this as a huge deal but a little dissapointing and not the best way to start your NBA career.  Shouldn't affect them long term but still not something you want your name attached to.  Regardless the shot still went in the trophy above still resides in Lawrence.

A look at news and notes about Jayhawks and upcoming opponents...

• LJWorld Game Notes...
• Jonathan Wilson making a name for himself...I like this guy...
• Daymond Patterson..wow, what a introduction...
• Kansas City Star coverage of the game...
• Hutchison news talks about Daymond Patterson..
• More from the KC Star about the game...
• By the numbers, the box score..
• ESPN Recap...

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Looking ahead, Louisiana Tech...could we have a game on our hands???

• KU Sports blurb, look for a podcast on the left side previewing LA Tech...
• Memphis Coverage about the only spot with more than two paragraphs about the game...
• Check that here's a decent recap of LA Tech's win..

• Finally the KC Star grades out KU's performance...

-My thoughts just listening online defense sounds good, I expect this to be a stout crew.  Obviously we will see tougher competition but I think this group will improve and rise to the occasion.

...offense needs some work.  Hopefully we can stay healthy, sure up the offensive line problems and establish a running game.  Didn't sound nearly as explosive as last year and I don't like the thought of Todd being pressured this much by inferior talent.  Recievers showed great promise but at the same time we are going to have to see something more from the running game besides Angus Quigley in mop up minutes. 

 Special teams sounds like it could be an upgrade but still very early.  Certainly Daymond Patterson didn't wait long to show what he can do and Rojas seems to be able to manage the kicking duties.  At the same time both kick coverage and Marcus Hereford need to improve. 

At this point my game grade is a B+ simply based on the competition and I would have liked it taken care of more handily.  We will get a much better barometer the next two weeks and I look forward to it.

Is Todd Reesing one of the best QB's in the country?  You can help him be recognized as the BEST in the country...read on.

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On the eve of football season I thought we might take a moment to compare ourselves with our neighbors to the west.  Recently the Jayhawks and the Wildcats have both released some new promo videos for the upcoming season.  I'm not trying to indicate that performance on the field is a direct correlation to these productions, but it did get me thinking.  If I'm an 18 year old or 21 year old(if your recruited to K-State) what would I take from this overly simplistic look at the two programs.  I think it's clear, but for the sake of argument I will present both and let you decide...Kansas Jayhawks...Kansas State Wildcats.    

A look at news and notes about Jayhawks and upcoming opponents...

• A story about the recent success of KU and MU football...
• Talib continues to impress in preaseason action...
• KC Star article on building on success of last year...
• Sporting News with an article about Joe Mortensen...
• Injury bug strikes Derek Fine...
• Capital Journal feature on Defensive Coordinator Clint Bowen...
• KU vs. FIU preview by FOXSPORTS...
• FOXSPORTS article about some of the upstart programs in football...