Ryan Murphy: Second Career Interception

Oct. 24, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan.– – Kansas sophomore nickel back, Ryan Murphy, made his first career start two weeks ago against Iowa State where he recorded four tackles, made his first career sack and broke up one pass against the Cyclones.

He has made an impact in each of the last three games since earning the starting position.

“I think we made improvement on defense,” Head Coach, Mark Mangino, said. “If you look at the overall forms on defensive they are not bad at all. They are much improved.”

Even though the Jayhawks were not victorious over Oklahoma, Murphy managed to record his second interception of the season.

“It feels good to get another interception, but it would have felt better to have won the game,” Murphy said. “I am just out there trying to do my part to make plays and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Murphy stretched his longs arms into the air and picked a pass off of Oklahoma quarterback, Landry Jones. He gave the fans something to cheer for at sold out Kivisto Field in Memorial Stadium.

His first interception occurred in the Jayhawk’s game against Southern Mississippi.

Murphy is a team player who is always looking for a way to make the stops, so the Kansas offense can get back out field.

“We had to come out there and stand up to make plays,” Murphy said. “We did do a good job in the first half, but we just needed some more things to go our way and maybe things would have been different. “

Murphy recorded six tackles in the Oklahoma game to bring his career total to 12.

The Kansas defense is not facing easy competition. The offenses they are competing against are quick, smart and can run the ball, and the Oklahoma offense is the highest scoring program in college football history.

Murphy knew this was going to be a tough game for Kansas, and the defense held its own against an Oklahoma offense that knows how to put numbers on the board.

“I definitely think we improved,” Murphy said. “We knew we were going to have to come out there, fight and play hard. I think overall the defense had a good game and we took a lot of steps forward. We just need to pick things up from here. We have to get back to work this week and get ready for Texas Tech to get the win.”