Three Jayhawks to Play in 2005 Hula Bowl

Jan. 14, 2005

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Three members of the 2004 University of Kansas football team — David McMillan, Brandon Rideau and Joe Vaughn — have been selected to participate in the 59th annual Hula Bowl Maui All-Star Football Classic in Maui. The January 22 contest will kick off at 6 p.m. (CT) from Maui’s War Memorial Stadium and will be aired nationally on ESPN.

“We are very proud of those young guys,” said KU head coach Mark Mangino. “They are very deserving and will do a great job in the game.”

McMillan, a senior defensive end, finished his senior season with a team-leading seven quarterback sacks to become just the seventh player in KU history to record at least 15 sacks in a career. He also led the 2004 team with three forced fumbles and was second on the club with 13 tackles for loss.

Rideau, a senior wide receiver finished his career at Kansas with 131 receptions — just two shy of the school’s all-time record. In 2004, the Beaumont, Texas, native led the team in catches (51), receiving yards (597), receiving yards per game (54.3) and touchdowns (7).

Vaughn, a senior center, started all 24 games during his two-year career with the Jayhawks. He was named the 2003 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year after his junior season and was a second-team All-Big12 honoree in 2004.

“I am excited for the trip and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play football with some of the best players in the nation,” said Vaughn. “The three of us can’t wait to represent the Kansas Jayhawks in Hawaii.”

The player selection process for the game was handled by an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) committee made up of five former college head coaches. Oregon’s Mike Bellotti and Georgia’s Mark Richt were selected by the AFCA to serve as the head coaches for the Kai and AIna squads at the Classic. Both men will be serving as head coaches at the Hula Bowl Maui for the first time.

The last KU player to participate in the Hula Bowl was Isaac Byrd in 1996.

— KU —