LAWRENCE, Kan. - Joe Ganz came out firing, quickly proving he could fill in for injured quarterback Sam Keller.
But when the scoring got out of hand, Ganz couldn't keep the offense on pace. By the last of his four interceptions, fans were filing out as Kansas turned the turnover into a 62-31 advantage.
Ganz had mixed reviews after throwing for 405 yards, four touchdowns and four picks. He also had 11 yards and one touchdown on the ground, but souring his first career start was the gradual decline in his performance as the game continued, and the Jayhawk lead widened.
Still, the general reaction from players and coaches regarding Ganz' day was positive.
"I thought Joe played a gutty game," Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. "Obviously he had some rough spots, which go along a little bit with a first start and the kind of game it was."
Ganz got off to a quick start, leading a short drive that culminated with his diving three-yard touchdown run. Nebraska's offense looked balanced and dangerous with Ganz' legs adding another dimension to the attack.
But after the first drive, Ganz was relegated to the pocket. Seeing him roll out or tuck the ball and run was a rare occurrence, and the Cornhuskers didn't run another option play after executing one on Nebraska's opening drive.
Nebraska had 24 points by halftime, its best offensive output in a first half this season. Its production cooled as the game went on, with Kansas building a huge lead and Ganz forced to throw and try for quick scores.
"In the first half (Ganz) sparked us and then again in the second half on the first drive he sparked us again," Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan said. "He made some incredible plays and I am really proud of that. I know for a fact that he would like to have a few plays back in the third quarter that led to some turnovers.
"When you get behind by that margin, you really press to try to make a play and close up the game a bit."
Ganz attempted 50 passes against the Jayhawks, completing 25 of them. Along with the large deficit, Nebraska's stagnant running game forced Ganz into throwing for first downs.
The Huskers managed just 79 yards on the ground, and most of those came by freshman Roy Helu in fourth-quarter garbage time. Nebraska junior running back Marlon Lucky ran for only 15 yards on eight carries, and freshman Quentin Castille rushed just once for a three-yard loss and a fumble.
Ganz was not featured as a running threat, to the surprise of Kansas Coach Mark Mangino.
Nebraska wide receiver Maurice Purify had an excellent personal performance, putting together a highlight reel of seven receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Although Ganz spread the ball around the field to 10 different receivers, Purify was the target thrown to most.
The senior wideout was pleased with the former backup quarterback's performance, dismissing the interceptions as little more than easily correctable mistakes.
"Ganz played well," Purify said. "He controlled our offense. He read the defense well. He put the ball where it needed to be. A couple of times he threw the ball a little high and it got picked off."
JONATHANCROWL@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
