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Byrd says he could
have done more
damage against
NlPs secondary.
By David Wilson
Staff Reporter
Saturday night was a long one foi
Kansas.
With the exception of a 77-yard
touchdown pass, die Jayhawks had just
one drive of more than 30 yards and
crossed into Nebraska territory only
twice. .
“I looked at my watch and the game
was only about three bouts,” Kansas
Coach Glen Mason said. *1 thought it
was about 33 hours long.”
The Nebraska defense held Kansas
to 209 yards of total offense and just
21 yards on the ground.
“Nebraska has as good of a defense
as I’ve seat,” Mason said, “and I’ve
been in college football a pretty long
time. Every yard was tough.We hit one
home run on them, and other than that
it was an awfully long night.”
The Jayhawks’ long ball came with
13 minutes, 58 seconds remaining in
the half when quarterback Matt Johnei
connected with wide receiver Isaac
Byrd for a 77-yard touchdown. The
play marked career longs for both play
ers.
“I think he (Byrd) has emerged as
a top-notch receiver,” Mason said.
“He’s making plays week in and week
out against top teams in the country.”
Byrd, who beat freshman
comerback Ralph Brown on the scor
ing pass, said he should have seen
more action in the loss to the
Cornhuskers.
“It’s tough when you lose games
like this knowing you could have
scored more points by doing certain
things — like throw the long ball
more,” Byrd said. “It’s frustrating to
play a game knowing you’re open.”
Johner finished the game 5-of-9
passing fen-94 yards and was replaced
by Ben Rutz with 4:23 left in the first
half.
Rutz, a 1992 Nebraska recruit who
transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma
A&M Junior College and moved to
Kansas in 1995, finished the game 9
of 18 for 94 yards, with no touchdowns
and two interceptions.
“I thought Ben did a good job,”
Mason said “Hf!
but he made a few mistakes.” *
However, Byrd said, Rutz was not
in sync with the offense.
’When Ben comes in, he would
basically have to guess (the receivers’
routes),” Byrd said. “You don’t know
exactly what is going to happen. You
ha vedifferent timing with each guy.”
Rutz said his return to Nebraska
was enjoyable. *
‘It was neat to come back up here,”
Rutz said. “I was excited to get in, but
it wasn’t a shock to me. I wasn’t ner
vous at all.
“This was probably the best de
fense we’ll face all year long. They
strive on pursuing the quarterbacks.
Obviously they did a good job with
that”
Without star tailback June Henley,
who was suspended after being tick
eted for suspicion of driving while in
toxicated last week, the Jayhawks were
forced to rely cm their prosing game
for 90 percent of their offensive yards.
“Our running game has not been
going good,” Mason said. “We knew
Please see KU on 10
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- 1——■*-—^ * ~ • 1—; ;—— 1 - : •• -: ■ ■■ ~ ■**' - - ' : ' -:
Jay Calderon/DN
4 /
Clockwise from left:
BRIAN SHAW chases Kansas
quarterback Matt Johner in the
second quarter, forcing an
incomplete pass.
KENNY CHEATHAM leaps
over Kansas comerback Jason
Harris for a 34-yard reception
from Scott Frost in the first
quarter. Ahman Green scored
Nebraska’s first touchdown two
plays later.
BRENDAN HOLBEIN (No. 5)
celebrates with Scott Frost after
the duo connected for a 15-yard
touchdown pass near the end of
the second quarter.
. jy* *"*>
mTS*£f^
6. Tennessee 5-1 6
8. North Carolina 6-1 9
10. Alabama 7-1 7
12. LSU 6-1 13
14. Kansas St 7-1 16
16. Virginia 5-2 14
18. West Virginia 7-1 12
20. Utah 7-1 21
22. Miami 5-2 25
24. Anbum 5-2 22
Coaches' Poll
2. Florida St (5) 6-0 2
4. Arizona St 8-0 4
6. Toneme 5-1 7
8. North Carolina 6-1 9
10. Northwestern 7-1 12
12. KanmSt 7-1 14 _
14 . Brigham Young 8-1 16
16, Wyoming 8-0 18
18. Virginia 5-2 13
20. VhgmiaTedi 5-1 21
21 Miami 5-2 23
24. Southern Miss. 7-1