Texas Escapes with a 27-23 Win Over Kansas

Nov. 13, 2004

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks gave sixth ranked Texas all they could handle but couldn’t hold on in a 27-23 loss at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Kansas led by three with 11 seconds remaining in the game when Texas quarterback Vince Young found Tony Jeffrey on a 21-yard score to give the Longhorns the victory.

The Jayhawk defense once again kept their opponent out of the end zone in the first quarter. KU has not had an offensive touchdown scored in the first quarter this season.

KU kicker Johnny Beck provided the only points of the first quarter, hitting a 39-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Longhorns got on the board with a 16-yard Cedric Benson touchdown run, to give Texas their only lead of the half. Beck would add two more field goals in the quarter to give the Jayhawks a 9-7 halftime advantage.

In the third, Texas kicker Dusty Mangum connected on two field goals, including a 50-yard try.

KU (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) responded from a UT 13-9 lead with back-to-back fourth quarter touchdowns. Austine Nwabuisi rumbled into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown run to give Kansas a 16-13 lead. On the Jayhawks next possession, Brian Luke hit a streaking Mark Simmons for a 73-yard completion that set up a Lyonel Anderson one-yard touchdown catch. At the 7:41 mark in the fourth quarter, KU led Texas 23-13.

The Longhorns (9-1; 6-1 Big 12) took the ensuing possession 87 yards in 13 plays capped off by an 18-yard Vince Young touchdown run. The Jayhawks were forced to punt on their next possession and the Longhorns took the ball down the field for the game’s final score.

“Our kids played well, well enough to win, we should have won,” Kansas head coach Mark Mangino said.

KU junior Mark Simmons had a career-high eight catches that totaled 135 yards. Quarterback Brian Luke, who replaced starter John Nielsen, also had an impressive day completing 14-of-25 passes for a career-best 225 yards and one score.

“I am very proud of Brian Luke, he has overcome a lot of adversity this season,” Mangino said. “I am proud of him, he did a marvelous job today.”

For Kansas, the loss marked its seventh defeat by nine or less points this season.

Kansas will round out the 2004 season when they travel to face rival Missouri next Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.