2008 Woodie Awards
Jayhawks not flustered by NU's unimpressive performances
Jonathon Crowl
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
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On its way to an 8-0 record, Kansas has turned heads across the nation with its defense, which is second in the nation at just 10.25 points allowed per game.
Defense is sure to be a point of interest this weekend when the Jayhawks host the University of Nebraska. But it's not just the KU defense that is drawing attention. It's the Cornhuskers'.
One week after they shocked Texas with an extreme blitzing attack, Nebraska's approach to stopping the Kansas offense is anybody's guess. But whatever tricks they may try to pull, don't expect the Jayhawks' feathers to be ruffled. Kansas coach Mark Mangino has seen the tape on the Huskers and doesn't expect the element of surprise to play a major factor.
"There's nothing too unique about them," Mangino said. "There are blitzes that we've seen before in bits and pieces against other opponents, but not as frequent in one game as they did against Texas."
In a reversal of roles, Nebraska visits the Jayhawks as both teams are riding historic streaks in opposite directions. The Huskers will take on the nation's eighth-ranked team in hopes of avoiding a fifth-straight loss - a situation more typical of past Kansas teams.
KU, on the other hand, is 8-0 for the first time since 1908 and looking to be 9-0 for the third time in school history. Todd Reesing, KU's starting quarterback, is a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien award.
Most shockingly, Kansas is dreaming of a national championship one year after missing a bowl game. Critics doubt they have what it takes to run the table, but they have yet to be disproven on the playing field.
Regardless of what the outsiders say, the Jayhawks say they know themselves better than anyone else.
"Maybe earlier in the year, we wanted to prove that the mentality of Kansas and the way we played has changed, but I think we've proved that," Reesing said.
"We're not worried about what people say because it's the world of sports, there are always going to be critics."
Defense is sure to be a point of interest this weekend when the Jayhawks host the University of Nebraska. But it's not just the KU defense that is drawing attention. It's the Cornhuskers'.
One week after they shocked Texas with an extreme blitzing attack, Nebraska's approach to stopping the Kansas offense is anybody's guess. But whatever tricks they may try to pull, don't expect the Jayhawks' feathers to be ruffled. Kansas coach Mark Mangino has seen the tape on the Huskers and doesn't expect the element of surprise to play a major factor.
"There's nothing too unique about them," Mangino said. "There are blitzes that we've seen before in bits and pieces against other opponents, but not as frequent in one game as they did against Texas."
In a reversal of roles, Nebraska visits the Jayhawks as both teams are riding historic streaks in opposite directions. The Huskers will take on the nation's eighth-ranked team in hopes of avoiding a fifth-straight loss - a situation more typical of past Kansas teams.
KU, on the other hand, is 8-0 for the first time since 1908 and looking to be 9-0 for the third time in school history. Todd Reesing, KU's starting quarterback, is a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien award.
Most shockingly, Kansas is dreaming of a national championship one year after missing a bowl game. Critics doubt they have what it takes to run the table, but they have yet to be disproven on the playing field.
Regardless of what the outsiders say, the Jayhawks say they know themselves better than anyone else.
"Maybe earlier in the year, we wanted to prove that the mentality of Kansas and the way we played has changed, but I think we've proved that," Reesing said.
"We're not worried about what people say because it's the world of sports, there are always going to be critics."
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