KU Improves to 3-0 With 34-14 Win Over Louisiana Tech
Sept. 17, 2005
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LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Donning red uniforms for the first time since the 1947 season, the University of Kansas (3-0) defeated Louisiana Tech (0-2), 34-14, Saturday night in front of 41,237 fans at Memorial Stadium. With the victory, the Jayhawks moved to 3-0 for the first time since 1997. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Jayhawks rode their stout defense, which registered seven sacks and recorded four interceptions, and rallied behind senior Brian Luke, who tossed a career-high three touchdowns in the win.
A battle of field position and stingy defense defined the early action. Senior Rodney Fowler, who had two interceptions in the game, picked off Bulldog quarterback Donald Allen at the Jayhawks’ four-yard line to quell a threatening Louisiana Tech drive. Sophomore Kyle Tucker helped the Jayhawks win the field position battle, continually pinning Louisiana Tech deep inside their own territory, including a punt that was downed inside the Bulldogs’ one-yard line.
The Jayhawks got on the board with 48 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Junior Charles Gordon struck pay dirt on a 14-yard touchdown reception from Luke to put the Jayhawks on top, 7-0. The catch was Gordon’s first of the season and marked his eighth career touchdown.
Following another series of punts, the Bulldogs found the end zone when Matt Kubik tossed a three-yard touchdown to Anthony Harrison to draw the game even at 7-all.
In the second half, Kansas continued to dominate defensively. Senior Nick Reid moved into sixth place on the KU all-time tackles list, as he recorded 14 in the game. Senior Brandon Perkins tallied five sacks in the game, setting a new school record.Seniors Charlton Keith, Theo Baines, and Reid also added a sack to the Jayhawks’ total.
Luke found tight end Derek Fine for a four-yard touchdown reception to give the Jayhawks a 14-7 lead with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter. On the drive, Simmons moved into fifth place all-time in receiving yards following a 23-yard reception and also contributed a 28-yard reception.
The Jayhawk defense continued to shine as Baines intercepted an Allen pass early in the fourth quarter. The turnover set up Luke’s third touchdown pass of the game, a six-yard strike to junior Brian Murph with 14:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. To go along with his three touchdown passes, Luke finished 19-of-31 for 236 yards with one interception.
Junior Jon Cornish added a one-yard touchdown run to put the Jayhawks ahead 28-7 with 12:57 left in the game. An interception by freshmen Aqib Talib, the first pick of his career, and a 29-yard reception by Simmons, who finished with six catches for 106 yards, set up Cornish’s run.
Later in the fourth quarter, sophomore Scott Webb connected on two field goals, including a career-long 47-yard conversion, to increase KU’s lead to 34-14.
