November 20, 2004

Kansas Closes Season with Border Showdown Victory

Nov. 20, 2004

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Kansas football team closed out the 2004 season with a dominating 31-14 win over rival Missouri, in the Border Showdown, Saturday in Columbia, Mo. The Jayhawks led the entire game, and finished the season with a 4-7 record.

Junior running back Clark Green had a big day for the Jayhawks. Green posted KU season-bests with 32 rushes for 118 yards. Green scored on a 12 yard run in the first quarter to give KU the initial 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, senior wide receiver Brandon Rideau got on the board hauling in an eight-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Brian Luke. Senior running back Austine Nwasbuisi scored on a one-yard run before the half to give the Jayhawks a 21-0 lead at the break. It was the first time since the 2000 season that KU had held its opponent scoreless in the first half.

In the third quarter, senior tight-end Lyonel Anderson scored the longest touchdown of his career, catching a Luke pass for a 30 yard score. At the end of three, the Jayhawks led 28-0.

The Tigers did not give up, and added a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. MU’s Sean Coffey caught two touchdown passes from Brad Smith in less than two minutes to give the Jayhawks a scare, but the day belonged to Kansas. KU senior Johnny Beck added a 35-yard field goal with 1:51 to play to seal the game.

“All season our kids never gave up,” Kansas head coach Mark Mangino said. “That why I love these guys.”

Luke continued his strong play completing a career-high 24 passes for 239 yards and two TD passes. Rideau had his best effort of the season in his final game, catching eight balls for 100 yards and a score. Anderson tied a career high with 60 yards receiving. The KU defense dominated the MU ground attack, holding Missouri to negative six rushing yards and only 256 yards of total offense. Sophomore defensive back Charles Gordon picked off his seventh pass of the season. Coming into the game, Gordon led the nation with six interceptions.

The Jayhawks end the season with a 4-7 record overall and a 2-6 mark in the Big 12. The Jayhawks made serious strides defensively this season in many close games. The 21.36 points allowed per game were the fewest by a KU squad since 1996. The Jayhawks also recorded 19 interceptions in 2004, the most since the 1987 team had 23.