Kansas Football: 2014 Dream Season

Well, it's officially football season.  North Dakota State has beaten another FBS team (Iowa State), Kansas State has had a cupcake already, and the Jayhawks are still undefeated!  Of course, they haven't played yet.  Or have they?

Fair warning: this is going to be a loooooooong article.  But it's mostly tables, so, hopefully it won't be too bad.

I thought it would be fun to break out the old XBox 360 and let the computer take a crack at showing us EXACTLY how KU gets to 14-0.

I need to admit something else right away as well - I spent WAAAAY too much time preparing this article.  While it is true that they don't make an NCAA Football game anymore, there are people out there who have taken it upon themselves update the code to include a four-team playoff and of course there are people out there working to keep the rosters updated.  The only changes I made to the KU roster was "redshirting" Bourbon and Cox and adding Nick Harwell.

Anyway, after trying this out a couple of different ways and thinking this through, I finally figured out what I think to be an acceptable simulation.

Since the game was still locked into the 2013 schedule, I took all of the Big 12 teams and made them Independents.  I was then able to make the KU schedule reflect what it really should be for 2014.  For the "Playoff" I actually started the Dynasty over and simply scheduled the two playoff games as neutral site, non-conference games (I was too lazy to try updating the code).

I simulated each game - I did not play the games myself.  If necessary, the game was re-simulated until a desirable outcome was reached, i.e., a Kansas victory.  Kansas had the correct coordinators and used the Rice offensive playbook and a 3-4 base defensive set.

Now obviously, some things have already changed - for example, Matthew Wyman is not your starting place kicker, at least not on the depth chart just released on Tuesday, and apparently Kevin Short is having issues again.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you the 2014 Kansas Jayhawks, 14-0 and first-ever college football playoff National Champions.

Game 1 - Southeast Missouruh State @ Kansas

SEMO	0	3	8	0	-	11
KU	7	0	7	14	-	28

Year 3 of the Charlie Weis era got off to a slow start.  While KU never trailed, this game was much closer than expected.  The Jayhawks controlled the clock with the running game, and for the most part the defense got off the field.  Cozart, however, didn't do much to improve his completion percentage from last year, keeping some KU fans wondering about him.

FIRST QUARTER

4:20 TD KU: M. Cozart, 4 Yd run (Wyman Kick)

SECOND QUARTER

11:45 FG SEMO: K #48, 30 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

6:35 TD KU: N. Harwell, 19 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

0:51 TD SEMO: QB #12, 5 Yd run (2-pt)

FOURTH QUARTER

11:05 TD KU: C. Avery, 4 Yd run (Wyman kick)

3:00 TD KU: C. Avery, 6 Yd run (Wyman kick)

	SEMO	KU
Score	11	28
First Downs	17	25
Total Offense	291	309
Rushes - Yards - TD	36-118-1	49-234-3
Comp - Att - TD	14-31-0	8-18-1
Passing Yards	173	75
3rd Downs	5-16	9-14
4th Downs	3-6	1-1
2-Points Conv	1-1	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	4-1-1	4-4-0
Turnovers	2	2
Fumbles Lost	1	0
Intercepted	1	2
Penalties - Yards	11-94	9-63
T.O.P.	26:03	33:57

M. Cozart - 8/18, 75 yds, TD, 2 INT, 16 Car, 49 yds, RuTD

C. Avery - 24 Car, 145 yds, 2 TD

D. Mann - 7 Car, 37 yds

J. Mundine - 3 Rec, 21 yds

N. Harwell - 3 Rec, 34 yds, 1 TD

B. Heeney - 14 Tack, 3 TFL, Sk

J. Shepherd - 4 Tack, TFL, INT

Game 2 - Kansas @ Duke

KU	6	14	7	7	-	34
DUKE	7	3	0	7	-	17

Once again, the Kansas ground game helped control things, even though KU did much of its scoring through the air.  Despite a pretty even stat line all the way around, the Jayhawks rolled into Durham and picked up the program's first road win since 2009 by a comfortable margin.  Once again, however, Cozart's completion percentage was below 50%, but at least there were no turnovers in this game.

FIRST QUARTER

13:15 FG KU: Wyman, 30 Yd FG

10:56 TD DUKE: S. Powell, 6 Yd run (Martin kick)

4:10 FG KU: Wyman, 33 Yd FG

SECOND QUARTER

11:52 FG DUKE: Martin 19 Yd FG

2:24 TD KU: T. Pierson, 6 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

0:07 TD KU: N. Harwell, 40 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

THIRD QUARTER

11:08 TD KU: D. Mann, 3 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

2:32 TD KU: M. Cozart, 5 Yd run (Wyman kick)

0:12 TD DUKE: T. Sirk, 2 Yd run (Martin kick)

	KU	Duke
Score	34	17
First Downs	23	21
Total Offense	406	345
Rushes - Yards - TD	48-208-1	28-126-2
Comp - Att - TD	11-25-3	15-39-0
Passing Yards	198	219
3rd Downs	9-16	7-14
4th Downs	1-1	0-0
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	6-3-2	4-2-1
Turnovers	1	1
Fumbles Lost	1	1
Intercepted	0	0
Penalties - Yards	8-53	12-94
T.O.P.	33:59	26:01

M. Cozart - 11/25, 198 yds, 3 TD, 12 Car, 35 yds, RuTD

C. Avery - 24 Car, 116 yds, 1 Rec, 6 yds

D. Mann - 10 Car, 49 yds, 1 Rec, 3 yds, RecTD

T. Pierson - 2 Rec, 40 yds, TD, 1 Car, 5 yds

N. Harwell - 6 Rec, 114 yrds, TD

J. Love - 5 Tack, 3 TFL, 1.5 Sk

Game 3 - Central Michigan @ Kansas

CMU	7	10	7	8	-	32
KU	7	7	7	14	-	35

We had quite a barnburner when CMU came into town!   Despite not being very highly regarded at all, the Chippewas gave Kansas all they wanted.  Penalties hurt the Jayhawks in this one, but four turnovers by the visitors eventually doomed them.  Early in the fourth quarter, KU seemed to have a comfortable lead at 35-24, but a score and two-point conversion with 4:16 left in the game gave Central Michigan hope.  Kansas used their powerful ground game to run out the clock and start 3-0.  Also of note, Montell Cozart had a game with over 50% completion percentage - barely.

FIRST QUARTER

11:18 TD CMU: B. McCord, 12 Yd pass from C. Rush (Coluzzi kick)

0:14 TD KU: C. Sendish, returned interception 29 Yds (Wyman kick)

SECOND QUARTER

11:47 FG CMU: Coluzzi, 26 Yd FG

6:38 TD KU: C. Avery, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

2:53 TD CMU: A. Flory, 25 Yd pass from C. Rush (Coluzzi kick)

THIRD QUARTER

8:50 TD CMU: D. Butler, 27 Yd pass from C. Rush (Coluzzi kick)

1:10 TD KU: N. Harwell, 37 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

14:55 TD KU: J. Mundine, 4 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

10:08 TD KU: N. Harwell, 29 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

4:16 TD CMU: S. Lavallii, 4 Yd run (2-pt)

	CMU	KU
Score	32	35
First Downs	19	17
Total Offense	366	381
Rushes - Yards - TD	35-150-1	39-163-1
Comp - Att - TD	15-36-3	13-24-3
Passing Yards	216	218
3rd Downs	7-16	4-13
4th Downs	2-2	2-2
2-Points Conv	1-1	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	3-2-1	2-2-0
Turnovers	4	2
Fumbles Lost	2	1
Intercepted	2	1
Penalties - Yards	8-55	15-129
T.O.P.	30:56	29:04

M. Cozart - 13/24, 218 yds, 3 TD, INT, 8 Car, 31 yds

C. Avery - 21 Car, 81 yds, TD

D. Mann - 9 Car, 48 yds

N. Harwell - 6 Rec, 149 yds, 2 TD

J. Mundine - 6 Rec, 60 yds, TD

B. Goodman - 11 Tack, 3 TFL, Sk

Game 4 - Texas @ Kansas

TEXAS	7	0	7	0	-	14
KU	7	0	3	14	-	24

The Longhorns rolled into Lawrence probably not thinking very much of the Jayhawks after unimpressive showings vs SEMO and CMU.  Despite moving the ball up and down the field, Texas found points hard to come by on this Kansas defense, especially in the red zone.  Penalties also hurt the Longhorns on this day.  The Jayhawks found themselves trailing 14-10 when the fourth quarter started, but Ben Heeney did his best Will Patton impersonation from Remember the Titans- "I don't want them to gain another yard!"  The Kansas rushing game ground out a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, and KU celebrated their first victory over Texas since 1938.

FIRST QUARTER

6:33 TD KU: N. Harwell, 6 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

2:51 TD TEXAS: G. Swaim, 30 Yd pass from D. Ash (Jordan kick)

THIRD QUARTER

11:42 FG KU: Wyman, 35 Yd FG

2:33 TD TEXAS: G. Swaim, 33 Yd pass from D. Ash (Jordan kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

7:25 TD KU: C. Avery, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

4:39 TD KU: C. Avery, 8 Yd run (Wyman kick)

	Texas	KU
Score	14	24
First Downs	24	19
Total Offense	412	344
Rushes - Yards - TD	48-249-0	44-170-2
Comp - Att - TD	11-23-2	11-22-1
Passing Yards	163	174
3rd Downs	8-15	7-15
4th Downs	0-0	0-0
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	2-0-0	4-3-1
Turnovers	2	2
Fumbles Lost	1	0
Intercepted	1	2
Penalties - Yards	11-85	4-35
T.O.P.	31:17	28:43

M. Cozart - 11/22, 174 yds, TD, 2 INT, 15 Car, 31 yds

C. Avery - 21 Car, 119 yds, 2 TD

N. Harwell - 5 Rec, 52 yds, TD

J. Mundine - 3 Rec, 67 yds

B. Heeney - 7 Tack, 1 TFL

C. Arnick - 6 Tack, 3 TFL, Sk, INT

Game 5  - Kansas @ West Virginia

KU	0	0	14	7	8	29
WVU	21	0	0	0	-	21

Well, the Jayhawks are finally starting to be talked about nationally after that huge win over Texas last week.  So of course, what happens?  At the end of the first quarter, the ‘Hawks find themselves trailing 21-0 on the road in front of a raucous crowd.  The Jayhawks get back to basics, though, and Avery and Mann pull KU to within a touchdown at halftime.  The second half is quite the defensive struggle with neither team scoring until Kansas manages to tie the game up midway through the fourth quarter.  Both offenses are struggle throughout the game to convert on third down.  The defenses continue to dominate, and we go to overtime.

KU is hurting themselves with penalties, and WVU can't throw the ball to their own players (six INTs in the last three quarters plus OT, thank you Clint Trickett).

Neither team scores in the first overtime.  Ditto the second overtime.  Before the third OT, WVU wins the second coin toss and goes defense first.  KU finally breaks the ice with a 25-yard pass play to Harwell and the mandatory 2-point conversion is good.  The Mountaineers can't answer, and KU is 5-0 for the first time since 2009 and wins their first road conference game since 2008.

FIRST QUARTER

12:34 TD WVU: M. Alford, 44 Yd pass from C. Trickett (Lambert kick)

3:57 TD WVU: R. Shell, 4 Yd pass from C. Trickett (Lambert kick)

1:11 TD WVU: K. White, 6 Yd pass from C. Trickett (Lambert kick)

THIRD QUARTER

10:21 TD KU: C. Avery 4 Yd run (Wyman kick)

4:56 TD KU: D. Mann, 85 Yd run (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

7:17 TD KU: D. Mann, 5 Yd run (Wyman kick)

OVERTIME

-- TD KU: N. Harwell, 25 Yd pass from M. Cozart (2-pt)

	KU	WVU
Score	29	21
First Downs	14	18
Total Offense	435	357
Rushes - Yards - TD	46-278-3	33-123-0
Comp - Att - TD	11-29-1	15-45-3
Passing Yards	157	234
3rd Downs	5-15	6-16
4th Downs	0-0	0-3
2-Points Conv	1-1	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	5-2-0	5-2-0
Turnovers	2	7
Fumbles Lost	0	1
Intercepted	2	6
Penalties - Yards	9-99	3-25
T.O.P.	34:09	25:51

M. Cozart - 11/29, 157 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT, 13 Car, 49 yds

C. Avery - 21 Car, 87 yds, TD

D. Mann - 12 Car, 142 yds, 2 TD

N. Harwell - 4 Rec, 78 yds, TD

T. Pierson - 2 Rec, 55 yds

V. Simmons - 9 Tack, 2 TFL, INT

B. Heeny - 4 Tack, 2 TFL, Sk

D. McDonald - 4 Tack, 2 Int

Game 6 - Oklahoma State @ Kansas

OK ST	0	7	0	10	-	17
KU	35	0	7	0	-	42

Kansas is starting to receive some votes in the Top-25!  After that disastrous first quarter in Morgantown a week ago, how will the Jayhawks respond to this?

The answer?  Very well.  Apparently, someone forgot to tell Oklahoma State what time the game started.  At the end of one quarter, Kansas leads 35-0.  The ‘Hawks would coast the rest of the way, dominating time of possession with the running game and going 6-0 for the first time since 2007.  The only issue Kansas had this game was in the red zone, only scoring on four of eight trips inside the 20.

FIRST QUARTER

11:15 TD KU: D. Mann, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

8:44 TD KU: C. Avery, 7 Yd run (Wyman kick)

7:04 TD KU: B. Heeney, returned interception 16 Yds (Wyman kick)

3:39 TD KU: C. Avery, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

1:18 TD KU: T. Pierson, 10 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

SECOND QUARTER

6:27 TD OK ST: D. Garman, 4 Yd run (Grogan kick)

THIRD QUARTER

1:32 TD KU: J. Shepherd, returned punt 48 Yds (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

10:46 TD OK ST: J. Seales, 10 Yd pass from D. Garman (Grogan kick)

3:13 FG OK ST: Grogan, 29 Yd FG

	OK ST	KU
Score	17	42
First Downs	17	23
Total Offense	353	537
Rushes - Yards - TD	30-105-1	50-229-3
Comp - Att - TD	13-32-1	14-26-1
Passing Yards	248	308
3rd Downs	5-15	7-14
4th Downs	2-3	0-1
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	4-2-1	8-4-0
Turnovers	3	1
Fumbles Lost	2	0
Intercepted	1	1
Penalties - Yards	5-40	6-60
T.O.P.	23:06	36:54

M. Cozart - 11/21, 231 yds, TD, INT, 10 Car, 42 yds

C. Avery - 21 Car, 101 yds, 2 TD, Rec, 15 yds

D. Mann - 12 Car, 62 yds, TD, 2 Rec, 22 yds

T. Pierson - 3 Rec, 88 yds, TD, Car, 10 yds

N. King - 2 Rec, 31 yds

N. Harwell - 2 Rec, 62 yds

R. Coleman - 2 Rec, 62 yds

K. Watson - 7 Tack, 2 TFL, Sk

B. Heeney - 4 Tack, TFL, 0.5 Sk, INT

Game 7 - Kansas @ Texas Tech

KU	7	3	0	10	-	20
TTECH	0	0	7	3	-	10

We're finally ranked!  Finally, some respect around here.  However, a tough road test against an admittedly struggling Texas Tech Red Raider squad awaits.  The Kansas offense does pretty much whatever they want to Texas Tech, but can't hang on to the ball (4 INTs).  For the third game in a row, Kansas can't do anything in the red zone, failing to score three out of five trips.  This allows Tech to tie it up at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter.  The KU ground game doesn't disappoint, however, and KU responds right away with a touchdown and later with a field goal, completely dominating Texas Tech in time of possession.

FIRST QUARTER

11:39 TD KU: C. Avery, 7 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

SECOND QUARTER

0:06 FG KU: Wyman, 44 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

4:18 TD TTECH: D. Washington, 5 Yd run (Bustin kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

14:28 FG TTECH: Bustin, 26 Yd FG

10:51 TD KU: N. Harwell, 47 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

4:03 FG KU: Wyman, 42 Yd FG

	KU	TTech
Score	20	10
First Downs	27	11
Total Offense	431	230
Rushes - Yards - TD	53-238-0	26-38-1
Comp - Att - TD	14-28-2	16-33-0
Passing Yards	193	192
3rd Downs	8-14	3-14
4th Downs	0-2	1-4
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	5-1-1	2-1-1
Turnovers	4	1
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Intercepted	4	1
Penalties - Yards	8-61	7-45
T.O.P.	37:52	22:08

M. Cozart - 14/28, 193 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT, 16 Car, 41 yds

C. Avery - 24 Car, 136 yds, 2 Rec, 34 yds, RecTD

D. Mann - 12 Car, 58 yds

N. Harwell - 5 Rec, 113 yds, TD

J. Love - 10 Tack, 5 TFL, 2 Sk

B. Heeney - 5 Tack, TFL

C. Sendish - 4 Tack, TFL, INT

Game 8 - Kansas @ Baylor

KU	7	7	3	14	-	31
BAY	7	7	0	10	-	24

Uh oh.  So, the season has been unexpectedly great so far.  Kansas sits in the Top 15.  But Baylor is unbeaten, in the Top 10, and has been there all season long.  Plus, this is Homecoming at the brand-new McLane Stadium - the FIRST homecoming in brand-new McLane stadium.  Kansas surely has their work cut out for themselves.

It's a nip-and-tuck game throughout.  After playing to a 14-14 halftime score, the only points in the third quarter come from a KU field goal.  After tying the game up at 17-17, Kansas manages to put back-to-back touchdown drives together.  Baylor scores with under two minutes left in the game, but never gets the ball back and KU hangs on for the win.

FIRST QUARTER

7:11 TD KU: J. Mundine 21 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

1:12 TD BAY: J. Jefferson, 1 Yd run (Peterson kick)

SECOND QUARTER

12:22 TD KU: T. Pierson, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

2:04 TD BAY: A. Goodley, 7 Yd pass from B. Petty (Peterson kick)

THIRD QUARTER

10:20 FG KU: Wyman, 29 Yd FG

FOURTH QUARTER

12:56 FG BAY: Peterson, 43 Yd FG

8:18 TD KU: C. Avery, 4 Yd run (Wyman kick)

3:45 TD KU: N. Harwell, 10 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

1:55 TD BAY: A. Goodley, 23 Yd pass from B. Petty (Peterson kick)

	KU	BAY
Score	31	24
First Downs	17	24
Total Offense	358	399
Rushes - Yards - TD	41-159-2	43-226-1
Comp - Att - TD	12-21-2	12-20-2
Passing Yards	199	173
3rd Downs	5-14	4-10
4th Downs	2-2	0-0
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	4-3-1	3-2-0
Turnovers	0	1
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Intercepted	0	1
Penalties - Yards	8-73	10-107
T.O.P.	29:30	30:30

M. Cozart - 12/21, 199 yds, 2 TD, 12 Car, 51 yds

C. Avery - 18 Car, 75 yds, TD, Rec, 20 yds

T. Pierson - 2 Rec, 34 yds, 2 Car, 7 yds

N. Harwell - 5 Rec, 62 yds, TD

Game 9 - Iowa State @ Kansas

ISU	0	7	0	3	-	10
KU	17	3	14	0	-	34

After defeating Baylor on the road, Iowa State at home should be easy, right?  Right??  Right!!!  The Cyclones are no match for the now Top 10 ranked Jayhawks, who put up the first 17 points of the game.  Mark Mangino's offense just doesn't click against the Kansas defense, struggling to convert third downs and suffering a pair of turnovers.  The Jayhawks go ball-control in the second half and move to 9-0.

FIRST QUARTER

8:48 TD KU: C. Avery, 7 Yd run (Wyman kick)

6:53 TD KU: N. Harwell, 45 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

2:34 FG KU: Wyman, 33 Yd FG

SECOND QUARTER

2:43 TD ISU: S. Richardson, 5 Yd run (Netten kick)

0:13 FG KU: Wyman, 40 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

3:50 TD KU: M. Cozart, 5 Yd run (Wyman kick)

0:54 TD KU: D. Mann, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

9:07 FG ISU: Netten, 41 Yd FG

	ISU	KU
Score	10	34
First Downs	14	22
Total Offense	248	402
Rushes - Yards - TD	34-176-1	51-211-3
Comp - Att - TD	8-27-0	13-20-1
Passing Yards	72	191
3rd Downs	4-13	7-14
4th Downs	0-1	0-0
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	2-1-0	4-3-1
Turnovers	2	0
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Intercepted	2	0
Penalties - Yards	6-37	9-60
T.O.P.	25:17	34:43

M. Cozart - 13/20, 191 yds, TD, 9 Car, 19 yds, RuTD

D. Mann - 21 Car, 86 yds, TD

C. Avery - 18 Car, 88 yds, TD

N. Harwell - 3 Rec, 63 yds, TD

J. Love - 8 Tack

Game 10 - Texas Christian @ Kansas

TCU	7	14	0	0	-	21
KU	0	14	0	10	-	24

The Horned Frogs come into Lawrence with an average record but a tough defense.  This time someone forgot to tell Kansas when this game started.  For the second time this season the Jayhawks looked up at the scoreboard and saw themselves trailing 21-0.  Once again, it was the KU rushing game to the rescue.  Deandre Mann went into the end zone twice just before halftime to bring the ‘Hawks within striking distance at 21-14.  After a scoreless third quarter, the Jayhawks pulled even closer with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, and took the lead with a Tony Pierson touchdown reception with 8:37 remaining.  TCU could not answer and Kansas moved to 10-0.  Turnovers were the main culprit for TCU this day, giving the ball up four times and not forcing a single KU turnover.

FIRST QUARTER

7:07 TD TCU: T. Boykin, 4 Yd run (Oberkrom kick)

SECOND QUARTER

14:55 TD TCU: K. Hicks, 4 Yd pass from T. Boykin (Oberkrom kick)

4:48 TD TCU: B. Catalon, 3 Yd run (Oberkrom kick)

2:21 TD KU: D. Mann, 5 Yd run (Wyman kick)

1:07 TD KU: D. Mann, 2 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

11:26 FG KU: Wyman, 34 Yd FG

8:37 TD KU: T. Pierson, 4 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

	TCU	KU
Score	21	24
First Downs	21	19
Total Offense	301	324
Rushes - Yards - TD	39-179-2	48-176-1
Comp - Att - TD	11-22-1	14-25-2
Passing Yards	122	148
3rd Downs	2-8	10-19
4th Downs	2-3	1-1
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	3-3-0	6-3-1
Turnovers	4	0
Fumbles Lost	1	0
Intercepted	3	0
Penalties - Yards	7-64	8-63
T.O.P.	28:40	31:20

M. Cozart - 14/25, 148 yds, 2 TD, 18 Car, 29 yds

C. Avery - 16 Car, 76 yds

D. Mann - 10 Car, 53 yds, TD, 2 Rec, 10 yds, TD

N. King - 2 Rec, 43 yds

T. Pierson - 2 Rec, 13 yds, TD, 2 Car, 12 yds

J. Love - 11 Tack, 4 TFL, Sk

K. Short - 2 Tack, INT

Game 11 - Kansas @ Oklahoma

KU	7	7	7	9	-	30
OU	7	6	10	3	-	26

College GameDay is in Norman, Oklahoma this weekend for the matchup between the #4 ranked Sooners and the #5 ranked Jayhawks.  KU is taunted pre-game from the student section with chants of "Overrated."  I'm eerily reminded of a similar event back in 1995 (taunting not shown in these clips, unfortunately).

Kansas opens up the scoring with a bomb from Cozart to Harwell.  OU answers later on in the quarter.  OU sandwiches a pair of field goals around another KU touchdown, and the Jayhawks take a slim one-point lead into halftime, 14-13.

Oklahoma immediately takes the lead early in the third quarter with another field goal, and then answers a Kansas touchdown with one of their own.  The Sooners have the lead entering the fourth quarter, 23-21, and it's time for Kansas fans to wonder if this is where the ride ends.

After OU extends their lead to 26-21, KU struggles to move the ball.  OU stalls as well, however, and the Jayhawks finally punch through and take a 27-26 lead with a Tony Pierson TD reception with 3:04 left.  The Jayhawks can't convert on the two-point try.  Oklahoma goes a quick three-and-out, and after a big punt return, the Jayhawks force OU to use up their timeouts and put a field goal through to make it a four point game with 11 seconds remaining.  OU can't overcome, and with a bend-but-don't-break defense (see OU's four field goals) Kansas picks up its first win in Norman since 1996 (yes KU played in Norman in '95 and '96) and moves to 11-0.  Kansas and Oklahoma exchange places in the rankings, with KU moving to #4 and OU dropping to #5.

FIRST QUARTER

13:15 TD KU: N. Harwell, 56 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

0:51 TD OU: S. Shepard, 5 Yd pass from T. Knight (Hunnicutt kick)

SECOND QUARTER

7:50 FG OU: Hunnicutt, 40 Yd FG

3:18 TD KU: M. Cozart, 3 Yd run (Wyman kick)

0:10 FG OU: Hunnicutt, 37 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

12:01 FG OU: Hunnicutt, 40 Yd FG

4:35 TD KU: D. Mann, 1 Yd run (Wyman kick)

2:59 TD OU: S. Shepard, 6 Yd pass from T. Knight (Hunnicutt kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

10:55 FG OU: Hunnicutt, 29 Yd FG

3:04 TD KU: T. Pierson, 22 Yd pass from M. Cozart (2-Pt failed)

0:11 FG KU: Wyman, 42 Yd FG

	KU	OU
Score	30	26
First Downs	17	20
Total Offense	347	370
Rushes - Yards - TD	49-149-2	35-164-0
Comp - Att - TD	11-18-2	13-27-2
Passing Yards	198	206
3rd Downs	5-14	6-13
4th Downs	3-4	0-1
2-Points Conv	0-1	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	2-2-0	4-2-2
Turnovers	0	0
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Intercepted	0	0
Penalties - Yards	5-40	4-40
T.O.P.	34:04	25:56

M. Cozart - 11/18, 198 yds, 2 TD, 17 Car, 40 yds, RuTD

D. Mann - 20 Car, 79 yds, TD

C. Avery - 12 Car, 30 yds, Rec, 7 yds

R. Coleman - 3 Rec, 58 yds

N. Harwell - 3 Rec, 86 yds, TD

T. Pierson - 2 Rec, 31 yds, TD

C. Arnick - 9 Tack

B. Heeney - 4 Tack, TFL

Game 12 - Kansas @ Kansas State

KU	0	7	14	7	-	28
KSU	14	3	0	6	-	23

Bring On The ‘Cats! Haha.  Now THAT'S comedy.  Kansas State was NOT impressed by the Jayhawks' victory over Oklahoma last week, and they let KU know it immediately.  The ‘Cats put up two first quarter touchdowns and took a 17-7 lead into halftime, with the only KU points coming from a Ben Heeney fumble return for a touchdown.

Kansas takes the opening drive of the second half and scores almost immediately.  After exchanging a few punts, KU scores again to take a 21-17 lead.  Midway through the fourth quarter, KU adds another touchdown to make the advantage 28-17.  KState scores with 2:39 left to make it interesting, but can't get the two-point conversion or the onside kick, and KU runs out the clock for a rare victory over Bill Snyder.

FIRST QUARTER

12:06 TD KSU: C. Sexton, 20 Yd Pass from J. Waters (Cantele kick)

3:48 TD KSU: D. Robinson, 5 Yd run (Cantele kick)

SECOND QUARTER

3:21 TD KU: B. Heeney, returned fumble 28 Yds (Wyman kick)

0:08 FG KSU: Cantele, 30 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

13:43 TD KU: N. Harwell, 37 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

1:07 TD KU: T. Pierson, 6 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

6:53 TD KU: J. Mundine, 7 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

2:39 TD KSU: J. Leverett, 9 Yd run (2-Pt failed)

	KU	KSU
Score	28	23
First Downs	11	23
Total Offense	264	436
Rushes - Yards - TD	35-122-0	43-196-2
Comp - Att - TD	10-23-3	17-32-1
Passing Yards	142	240
3rd Downs	7-16	6-14
4th Downs	0-1	0-0
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-1
Red Zone - TD - FG	2-2-0	4-2-1
Turnovers	0	1
Fumbles Lost	0	1
Intercepted	0	0
Penalties - Yards	8-60	4-35
T.O.P.	27:00	33:00

M. Cozart - 8/14, 115 yds, 2 TD, 13 Car, 29 yds

T. Millweard - 2/9, 27 yds, TD, 3 Car, 10 yds

C. Avery - 12 Car, 52 yds

N. King - 3 Rec, 33 yds

T. Pierson - 3 Rec, 30 yds, TD

N. Harwell - 2 Rec, 46 yds, TD

V. Simmons - 12 Tack

B. Heeney - 8 Tack, TFL

The win over KState clinches KU a berth in the college football Final Four.  Man, those words sound good together... Final Four, Final Four, Final Four... I just can't stop saying it.  Anyway, the top three teams all went unbeaten and are eager to get this playoff started.  Your matchups are: #4 Kansas vs #1 Florida State and #2 Oregon vs #3 Alabama.

After Oregon knocks off Alabama, it's KU's turn on the national stage.

Game 13 - Kansas vs Florida State

KU	7	0	0	21	-	28
FSU	0	14	0	0	-	14

KU gets a long pass play midway through the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead, but offense is hard to come by for the Jayhawks.  Florida State answers with two second quarter TDs to take a 14-7 halftime lead.  Nobody scores in the third quarter, and while KU can move the ball a bit and maintains a solid edge in time of possession, they can't seem to put together a drive.  Meanwhile, FSU's offense is being stymied by one Mr. Ben Heeney.

Finally in the fourth quarter the Jayhawks explode.  After putting together a drive early in the four quarter, Victor Simmons picks off Winston and runs it back 50 yards for another score.  Florida State can't respond, throws the ball away a couple more times, and KU punches in an insurance TD late in the fourth quarter to earn a berth in the national title game.

FIRST QUARTER

9:42 TD KU: N. Harwell, 62 Yd pass from M. Cozart (Wyman kick)

SECOND QUARTER

8:11 TD FSU: M. Pender, 6 Yd run (Aguayo kick)

4:10 TD FSU: K. Williams, 1 Yd run (Aguayo kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

12:34 TD KU: T. Pierson, 1 Yd run (Wyman kick)

11:13 TD KU: V. Simmons, returned interception 50 Yds (Wyman kick)

1:58 TD KU: T. Pierson, 7 Yd run (Wyman kick)

	KU	FSU
Score	28	14
First Downs	18	10
Total Offense	328	166
Rushes - Yards - TD	53-155-2	29-69-2
Comp - Att - TD	11-22-1	12-22-0
Passing Yards	173	97
3rd Downs	8-18	3-11
4th Downs	2-4	1-1
2-Points Conv	0-0	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	3-2-0	2-2-0
Turnovers	2	4
Fumbles Lost	0	3
Intercepted	2	1
Penalties - Yards	6-45	8-73
T.O.P.	37:18	22:42

M. Cozart - 11/22, 173 yds, TD, 2 INT, 19 Car, 54 yds

C. Avery - 22 Car, 58 yds

T. Pierson - 1 Rec, 30 yds, 5 Car, 20 yds, 2 TD

N. Harwell - 7 Rec, 119 yds, TD

B. Heeney - 12 Tack, 3 TFL, Sk

Game 14 - Kansas vs Oregon

Who would have thought KU would be playing in the inaugural title game for the first ever FBS college football playoff?  Not even the most optimistic Kansas fan would have ever predicted such a thing.

KU	0	6	3	15	-	24
OREG	0	7	3	3	-	13

After a scoreless first quarter, the Ducks open up the scoring midway through the second quarter.  Kansas gets close to the end zone, but can only mount a pair of field goals before halftime, and Oregon goes into the break leading 7-6.

Yet another field goal by Wyman gives Kansas their first lead of the game at 9-7, but Oregon answers back a few minutes later with a field goal of their own.  Penalties are hampering Oregon, but going into the final frame, it's 10-9 Ducks.

The Kansas offense finally gets rolling in the fourth quarter though, and Harwell and Avery come through with touchdowns to get Kansas a 24-10 lead.  Oregon can only muster a field goal with five minutes left - Ben Heeney has been in the backfield all night, and Jake Love is a man on fire.  Finally, Cozart takes a snap, goes down to a knee, and there you have it folks, Rock, Chalk, CHAMPIONSHIP!!

SECOND QUARTER

9:43 TD OREG: B. Marshall, 5 Yd pass from M. Mariota (Wogan kick)

7:21 FG KU: Wyman, 29 Yd FG

2:11 FG KU: Wyman, 22 Yd FG

THIRD QUARTER

6:13 FG KU: Wyman, 46 Yd FG

0:58 FG OREG: Wogan, 36 Yd FG

FOURTH QUARTER

13:25 TD KU: N. Harwell, 18 Yd pass from M. Cozart (2-Pt)

10:19 TD KU: C. Avery, 1 Yd run (Wyman kick)

5:14 FG OREG: Wogan, 44 Yd FG

	KU	Oregon
Score	24	13
First Downs	18	17
Total Offense	381	311
Rushes - Yards - TD	43-151-1	49-205-0
Comp - Att - TD	11-20-1	8-19-1
Passing Yards	230	106
3rd Downs	5-13	7-16
4th Downs	1-2	0-1
2-Points Conv	1-1	0-0
Red Zone - TD - FG	4-2-2	2-1-1
Turnovers	1	0
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Intercepted	1	0
Penalties - Yards	3-28	12-79
T.O.P.	28:10	31:50

M. Cozart - 11/20, 230, TD, INT, 14 Car, 44 yds

C. Avery - 22 Car, 77 yds, TD

N. Harwell - 5 Rec, 132 yds, TD

T. Pierson - 3 Rec, 85 yds

J. Love - 11 Tack, 2 TFL, Sk

B. Heeney - 6 Tack, 6 TFL, Sk

Oh my gosh what a season.  Let's do it again in 2015, shall we?

Player Season Totals:

M. Cozart - 135.3 Rat, 138/266 (51.9%), 2,104 yds, 22 TD, 12 INT, 159 Car, 446 RuYds, 4 RuTD, 2 Fum

C. Avery - 232 Car, 1,106 yds, 10 TD, 3 Fum, 7 Rec, 85 Yds, TD

D. Mann - 133 Car, 681 yds, 6 TD, Fum, 6 Rec, 45 Yds, 2 TD

N. Harwell - 46 Rec, 878 yds, 11 TD

T. Pierson - 21 Rec, 328 yds, 5 TD, 10 Car, 55 yds, TD

J. Mundine - 22 Rec, 235 yds, 3 TD

N. King - 14 Rec, 194 yds

R. Coleman - 9 Rec, 190 yds

V. Simmons - 81 Tack, 10 TFL, 1.5 Sk

J. Love - 60 Tack, 13 TFL, 4.5 Sk

B. Heeney - 55 Tack, 11 TFL, 2.5 Sk

B. Goodman - 52 Tack, 17 TFL, 6 Sk

M. Wyman - 10/21 (47.6%), Lng 44, 1/2 > 30, 5/9 >40, 4/8 >50, 0/2 < 50