John Mabry: Trickery sets tone for Huskers
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MANHATTAN, Kan. — Poor Jordan Congdon. What’s a guy have to do to kick a field goal?
Congdon was foiled again Saturday when the Huskers went with a fake in the first quarter rather than let Congdon try a 34-yarder, what would have been just his fourth attempt of the season.
Congdon had no complaints.
“It was wide-open in film,” he said, “so we just took a shot.”
Tight end Hunter Teafatiller was wide-open in the end zone, scoring on a 17-yard pass from holder Jake Wesch. Sophomore walk-on to sophomore walk-on. North Bend, Neb., to Kingsburg, Calif. What a deal.
The Huskers were sure it would work because of K-State’s aggressive plan to come after kicks.
“I can’t take credit for it,” said head coach Bill Callahan. “Coach (Dennis) Wagner, Coach (Bill) Busch and Coach (Shawn) Watson all designed that play. I asked them to come up with a fake earlier in the week, and they said, ‘Coach, it’s there this week.’”
Teafatiller now has two catches this season, both for touchdowns. Wesch is now right up there in passing efficiency with punter Dan Titchener, who completed a pass on a fake punt against USC.
Who’s the better passer? Teafatiller said it’s a tough call.
“I probably have to say Jake since he threw me the pass (tonight),” Teafatiller said. “He’s a scrambling man. Dan’s probably more of a drop-back guy.”
Mann back in action
Senior center Kurt Mann returned to action after missing five games because of a bout with mononucleosis. He entered the game midway through the second quarter
“We were excited to get Kurt back in the lineup,” said offensive line coach Wagner. “We wanted to make sure he had the opportunity to earn his way back there. He got out there and did a great job.”
Mann said he would be ready for Texas this week.
“I feel pretty good,” he said. “I put a nice little lick on 52 (linebacker Zach Diles), which was good because he’s a good player. It’s nice to hit somebody else. It’s been a long time.”
Junior Brett Byford, Mann’s fill-in the last few weeks, was an honorary captain for Saturday’s game.
“Brett’s been a tremendous part of our football team,” Wagner said. “He’s a guy that sticks with it.”
End zone
* So is Brandon Jackson the Huskers’ best all-around back? Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said that wouldn’t be too far off-base. “He’s proven that he does a lot of things well,” Norvell said. “I wouldn’t dispute that, but you know, I think all of our guys are capable of doing a lot of good things. He proved it the last couple of weeks. He proved it tonight.”
* Norvell on the K-State defensive plan: “They pressured us. They were determined to keep blitzing and pressuring. Sometimes you live by the sword and die by the sword. We had big-play opportunities we didn’t make, but going down the stretch, we made enough plays to win the game.”
* Would Norvell have tried a fake punt from his own 9, as K-State did — successfully — in the first quarter? “You know what. That’s what they’ve shown. They’re trying to show their kids they have confidence.”
* Ron Prince does not allow his assistants to do interviews, so that’s why we have no quotes from grad assistant Scott Frost. You might have heard of him. K-State defensive end Ian Campbell said the former Husker star has “been a big help for me, understanding the game and understanding what you need to do to take care of yourself as far as being a professional on and off the field.”
* Well, there you have it. The Big 12 North is down to two teams. Can’t wait for the Buffs to come to town next month.
* We close Josh Freeman week with the following from Callahan: “We have great respect for Kansas State and their quarterback.”
Just like old buddies.
Reach John Mabry at 473-7320 or jmabry@journalstar.com.
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