Kansas Football Holds Saturday Scrimmage

Kansas football blog at kufootball.com.

Aug. 21, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas football wrapped up its third week of preseason practice with a 55-play scrimmage Saturday morning at Memorial Stadium.

“I thought things went okay today,” Kansas head coach Turner Gill said. “The offense made some plays, and the offensive line did some things to open it up for us. But the defense needs to tackle better. That’s something we’re going to have to improve before our first game (in two weeks).”

The Jayhawks tried to simulate a Saturday game by taking the field at 11 a.m., and running their first play at 11:06 a.m. Sophomore quarterback Kale Pick and redshirt freshman Jordan Webb split the snaps nearly 50/50.

The scrimmage started with the offense taking the ball at the 20 yard line going in, and after five series, the offense switched directions to go the further length of the field.

Pick threw a pair of touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Johnathan Wilson, including a 20-yard pass where the senior receiver broke a tackle on the far sideline and raced into the end zone.

Webb also led a pair of scoring drives, including a 12-play effort which culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by James Sims.

The defense did force a pair of turnovers on downs and recovered a fumble during the latter stages of the scrimmage.

Kansas will practice again Sunday before taking part in Fan Appreciation Day at 5 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Following the workout, the entire team will be available for autographs. Fans are asked to limit autograph requests to one item per player or coach.

The Hy-Vee Hawk Zone will open at 3:30 p.m. on the practice fields on the east side of Campanile Hill. The Hawk Zone will have inflatable games and more for kids and families to enjoy.

Gates to the stadium will open at 4:30 p.m. Fans are asked to park and enter on the west side of Memorial Stadium. The KU Store and concession stands on the west concourse will be open during the event. While supplies last, fans may pick up free Kansas football promotional items, including posters, schedule cards, magnets and cups.

The west side ticket office at Memorial Stadium will also be open during the event for those wishing to purchase 2010 season or single-game tickets. Kansas opens its season hosting North Dakota State on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. Reserved season tickets begin as low as $199. The Family Plan, which includes four season tickets (two adult and two youth), is also available for just $499.

Parking is free for Fan Appreciation Day in all lots adjacent to Memorial Stadium. On the West side, Lot #’s 50, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 65 will be available for parking. On the East side, Lot #94 will be open for parking. All fans will enter on the west side of Memorial Stadium.

Famous Faces at Practice

A pair of former Jayhawk greats from different eras found their way to Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s scrimmage. Former Kansas head coach Don Fambrough and former running back Jake Sharp were both in the stands for the workout.

Fambrough coached at KU for eight seasons and lettered two years. He led KU to a pair of bowl games during his tenure as well as a second-place finish in the Big Eight Conference in 1973. He was named the Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1981, and was inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame following his retirement.

Sharp was a Kansas tailback from 2006-09, and scored 29 touchdowns and gained over 3,000 all-purpose yards. Sharp enjoyed his finest season in 2008, when he gained 860 yards on 186 carries and scored 12 touchdowns in helping the Jayhawks to an Insight Bowl win over Minnesota. He also played on the 2008 Orange Bowl-winning team rushing for 33 yards on nine carries in the triumph over Virginia Tech.

Already Graduated

Thursday was the first day of school for University of Kansas students. However, four Jayhawk football players have already earned their college degrees and are either working on additional degrees or advanced degrees this semester.

Those already holding diplomas include Sal Capra, Olaitan Oguntodu, Angus Quigley and Brad Thorson.

Capra graduated this past spring with a degree in finance and is working on a second major in management and leadership.

Oguntodu, who was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection last year, already owns two degrees. He earned a degree in marketing in the summer of 2009 and a degree in finance in December 2009. He is working on a master’s degree in business administration.

Quigley earned his degree in African and African-American studies in the fall of 2009 and is working on a second major in American studies.

Thorson earned a business degree from Wisconsin in 2008 before transferring to Kansas. He is working on a master’s degree in economics.

Football Is In The Genes

Here is a look at 21 Jayhawks whose fathers played college football:

D.J. Beshears – Danny played at Sonoma State.

Ryan Burton – Ron played at North Carolina and in the NFL with Dallas, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Raiders.

Sal Capra – Mark played at William Jewell.

Jake Farley – Mark played at Northern Iowa.

Ed Fink – Dale played at Montana State.

Rod Harris – Rod, Sr. played at Texas A&M and then in the NFL with New Orleans, Philadelphia and Dallas.

Tertavian Ingram – Terry played at Washburn.

Steven Johnson – Steven, Sr. played at Cheyney.

Jake Laptad – Darren played at Missouri Southern.

D.J. Marshall – David played college football.

Michael Martinovich – Rob played at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ted McNulty – James played at Iowa.

Tyler Patmon – Todd played at Central Oklahoma.

Chea Peterman – Charlie played at Arkansas.

Kale Pick – Mark played at Iowa State.

Deshaun Sands – Tony played at Kansas and holds the KU single-game rushing record of 396 yards vs. Missouri in 1991.

Nick Sizemore – Duane played at Indiana.

Trent Smiley – Keaton played at Iowa.

AJ Steward – Anthony, Sr. played at Missouri Valley.

Keeston Terry – Doug played at Kansas and then in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Duane Zlatnik – Alan played at Washburn.