Kansas takes giant step forward

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ In Mark Mangino's first two years as head coach at Kansas, the Kansas State Wildcats drilled him 64-0 the first time and 42-6 the second. <br/><br/>Now in year No. 3, Mangino's

Sunday, October 10th 2004, 3:30 pm

By: News On 6

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ In Mark Mangino's first two years as head coach at Kansas, the Kansas State Wildcats drilled him 64-0 the first time and 42-6 the second.

Now in year No. 3, Mangino's Jayhawks have caught up with their archrivals and passed them by, snapping an 11-year losing streak. A little luck and a lot of smart management can awaken a long-slumbering program and get it headed up.

Has there been a tectonic shift in the balance of power in a state that has long tilted heavily toward Manhattan?

Stay tuned. Too early to know. But there is absolutely no doubt the Jayhawks are on the rise, and Kansas State has slipped badly from the zenith it reached a year ago as champions of the Big 12.

``We are one or two plays away from being 6-0,'' said reserve quarterback Jason Swanson, whose 31-yard touchdown pass put Kansas back ahead to stay in a 31-28 victory Saturday night over the Wildcats.

What's more, Swanson is right. The Jayhawks (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) lost three games by a total of 10 points.

At this rate, their regular-season finale Nov. 20 at Missouri just might decide the Big 12 North title.

``We believe we are in every game, no matter who we play,'' Swanson said.

Kansas State (2-3, 0-2) also lost its first two conference games last year, but then rallied to win the North title and rout then-unbeaten Oklahoma in the conference championship game.

But even the most ardent Kansas State fan would have trouble believing that happy bit of history would repeat.

``This is basically one of those great tests in life,'' said Kansas coach Bill Snyder. ``It's about character and about being tested. Life is full of choices and responses and what's important is to respond with courage, which I believe our youngsters have.

``We need to respond by bonding together with discipline.''

In its first victory over Kansas State in 12 years, Kansas had to overcome several key injuries, 109 yards in penalties and the fact that Kansas State outgained the Jayhawks 365 yards to 238.

Nevertheless, a sellout crowd of more than 50,000 saw the Jayhawks do something that even one year ago seemed far beyond their reach. Thousands of fans stormed the field and tore down the goalposts.

``It was a great atmosphere,'' said Mangino, who was an assistant coach at Kansas State from 1991 to 1996 while Snyder was building the Wildcats into a national contender.

``I want to tip my cap to the KU fans.''

Kansas linebacker Nick Reid felt as though the Jayhawks had landed a blow for citizens across the Kansan expanse from the Missouri border to the Colorado line.

``It is good for the state of Kansas and for the University of Kansas that we compete with Kansas State,'' he said.

``I hope this helps with recruiting now, and I'm glad we don't have to talk about the streak next year.''

John Randle ran 43 yards for a touchdown with 3:16 left for what proved the clinching touchdown.

``It happened so fast, I really don't even remember what happened,'' Randle said. ``I looked at the replay and I noticed that I had gotten knocked back, but found a way to stay on my feet.''

Kansas State will have little time to lick its wounds. While Kansas takes this week off, the Wildcats host No. 2 Oklahoma.

``It's a time of decision,'' Snyder said. ``It's not just this game. We're 2-3. We're in an area our youngsters just haven't been before.''