LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — When Nicholls’ Damion Jeanpiere’s muffed punt attempt led to Kansas taking the lead late in the fourth quarter Saturday night, it seemed as though the Colonels’ resilient upset attempt could go to waste.

But then, using just nine plays, they marched down the field and forced overtime with a game-tying 43-yard field goal. In overtime, Chase Fourcade ran in a 4-yard touchdown, and the Colonels prevailed over the Jayhawks, 26-23, in both teams’ season opener.

“Big win for the football program, for the school, for the whole community,” Nicholls coach Tim Rebowe said. “I told the guys, I’m always proud of them, but I’ve never been more proud of them than tonight, how they came in and fought. It’s a group of guys who believe.”

Viewed as Kansas’ easiest opponent of the season, Nicholls came into an optimism-filled David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and spoiled the Jayhawks’ home opener in a game few expected them to win.

The Colonels, of course, belong to that few.

“None of our players thought, `Well, since we’re playing an FBS team, we don’t have a chance to win,” Fourcade said. “I feel like everybody on this team, we’ve always got that confidence and that mentality that we can win every game.”

After the Nicholls defense held Kansas to just a field goal on the first possession, Fourcade capitalized, leading a five-play touchdown drive aided by a pass interference call. He finished with just 142 yards passing and no scores in the air, but rushed for 51 yards and the late touchdown.

“I’m just really happy for this school, this team,” Fourcade said. “We’ve been through a lot . it’s been a real big turnaround for this program. We’re just really excited about our first win.”

Texas A&M transfer Kendall Bussey added 123 yards rushing and a score out of the backfield, and Dontrel Taylor punched in a touchdown as well.

The Colonels got the ball rolling early, marching down the field for an impressive nine-play, 78-yard touchdown drive on their first possession. It wasn’t anything unheard of, but to come out of the gates with a commanding scoring drive certainly set the tone for the rest of the game that Nicholls was here to play.

Kansas’ offense had some success early as Peyton Bender found Steven Sims for a touchdown on the second drive to cap an efficient effort that included two nice runs for first downs. But then Sims dropped an easy score in the end zone next time out, and Kansas had to settle for a field goal.

Bender finished 19-of-35 passing for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Kerr Johnson, Jr. led the Jayhawks in receiving, hauling in three catches for 54 yards and the go-ahead score late off the arm of Bender.

“At times I thought he did really, really well,” Kansas coach David Beaty said of his quarterback. “There were some times tonight where I think he kind of got locked on a little bit and he held the ball a little bit longer . but he showed some flashes tonight.”

BUSSEY’S BURST

It was a struggle for Nicholls to string together much early in the second half, stalling on their first two drives. They finally broke through, though, when Bussey blew through the line to find nothing but green in front of him en route to a 40-yard touchdown run.

“Nobody was there, so that’s what I saw,” Bussey said. “I saw daylight, I saw the end zone, and I’m thinking just get to the end zone as fast as I can.”

DUAL QUARTERBACK DEBUT

Bender played almost every snap, but as Beaty announced earlier in the week, Miles Kendrick also saw some time under center. He led one series that resulted in a punt early in the second quarter, and had one rushing attempt in overtime for negative yards.

“We’re certainly going to continue to use Miles,” Beaty said. “Certainly going to continue to use him, find more ways to get him in the game.”

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

When Bussey was asked what the trip back down to Louisiana was going to be like, the three Colonels present at the press conference all burst into excited laughter.

“A lot of noise,” Bussey grinned. “A lot of noise. I’m tired, so I hope they calm down because I’m gonna want to go to sleep.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas falls to an FCS school in what was expected to be its least-challenging game of the season — not a good start to a make-or-break season for coach David Beaty.

“I’ll tell you this: The sun is going to come up tomorrow, and this team is going to continue to work toward the goals that they have set,” Beaty said, when asked to evaluate where the program stands big picture-wise.

Nicholls grabs a statement victory over the Big 12-trained Kansas, a promising sign for what looks to be a promising season.

UP NEXT

Kansas travels to Central Michigan on Saturday for its only non-conference road game. The Jayhawks haven’t won a game on the road since Sept. 9, 2009.

Nicholls heads to nearby Tulane for another road test on Saturday.

— Associated Press —

TYLER, TEXAS – Kansas football’s Steven Sims Jr., was recognized as the sixth-annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List was announced Tuesday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon. Sims was one of 47 players named to the 2018 watch list.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.

A native of Houston, Texas, Sims led Kansas in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (839) in 2017 and scored six receiving touchdowns. Sims ranked seventh in the Big 12 in receptions last season and 10th in receiving yards per game. His efforts in 2017 landed him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention from the league’s coaches.

Sims heads into the 2018 season ranked fifth in career receiving yards at KU with 2,049, just 260 yards behind second-place receiver Kerry Meier (2006-09) and 1,191 yards behind first-place receiver Dezmon Briscoe (2007-09). Sims also ranks third in career receptions at Kansas (161) and sixth in touchdown receptions (15).

The Watch List announced Tuesday will be narrowed to as many as 16 semifinalists in November and then down to five finalists in December. The finalists will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. They will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 9, 2019.

Sims and his KU teammates will begin the 2018 season on September 1 vs. Nicholls State. Jayhawk great, Super Bowl Champ and three-time NFL Pro-bowler Chris Harris Jr., will enter the Ring of Honor during KU’s opener versus NSU, and the 2008 Insight Bowl team will also be celebrated.

The Jayhawks will also host nonconference opponent Rutgers on Sept. 15 for Family Weekend and will also celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness as Todd Reesing, who owns 14 school records and is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history, will have his name etched next to other Jayhawk legends in the Ring of Honor.

Oklahoma State will travel to Lawrence for Homecoming and K-Club Weekend on Sept. 29. The Jayhawks and Cowboys will kick off on Saturday, following Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Sept. 28.

Next up will be Big 12 foe TCU. KU will host the Horned Frogs on Saturday, Oct. 27 for its annual Jayhawks for a Cure game, while Kansas legend and four-time Super Bowl Champion and three-time NFL Pro-Bowler Larry Brown will have his name added to the Ring of Honor and the 1968 Orange Bowl team will be celebrated.

Kansas will host its annual Salute to Service game on Nov. 3 as Iowa State makes its way to DBK Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks will honor 26 seniors on Friday, Nov. 23 as they play host to Texas at 11 a.m. With the game against UT being played on Black Friday, KU will be offering several Black Friday specials in and around the stadium.

— KU Athletics —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With the 2018 Kansas football season set to begin in just under two months, Kansas Athletics and K Club has announced plans to honor three Jayhawks legends and two historic KU football teams. Kansas alums Chris Harris Jr., Todd Reesing and Larry Brown will be added to the Ring of Honor at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during home games this season; in addition, KU will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 team that earned a trip to the Orange Bowl, as well as the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 Insight Bowl Champions.

Harris Jr., a member of the Jayhawk football program from 2007-10, will be added to the Ring of Honor at Kansas’ season opener against Nicholls State on September 1. Harris Jr. is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-16), was First-Team All-Pro in 2016, and helped the Denver Broncos to a victory in Super Bowl 50. He is set to begin his eighth season with the team in 2018. While in the Crimson and Blue, he played in 50 games, totaling 290 tackles, including 198 solo stops, and recorded three interceptions. Harris Jr., also helped the Jayhawks to an 8-5 record in 2008 and a 42-21 win over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl.

The entire KU team from the 2008 season will also be celebrated at the season opener against Nicholls State, marking the 10th anniversary of its Insight Bowl victory.

Reesing, who owns 14 school records, is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history. He will have his name etched next to other Jayhawk legends in the Ring of Honor on September 15, when KU hosts Rutgers. Remembered most for his sophomore season when he led the 2007 Jayhawk football team to a 12-1 season and a 24-21 win over Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl, Reesing racked up 11,194 career passing yards, which is nearly 5,000 more yards than the next-closest Jayhawk in history. Reesing also holds KU records for career completions, attempts, touchdown passes, passing percentage, passing yards per game, consecutive games with a touchdown pass, total offensive yards and touchdowns, among others.

Brown will be added to the Ring of Honor at the TCU game on October 27. A tight end for the Jayhawks from 1967-70, Brown played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a tight end and tackle, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1977-78, 1984) and four-time Super Bowl Champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV). The Steelers selected Brown as a tackle on the franchise’s All-Time team during the Steelers’ 75th season celebration in 2007. While with the Jayhawks, Brown helped the 1968 team to a 9-2 record, tie for the Big Eight title and an appearance in the 1969 Orange Bowl.

Also at the TCU game, KU will honor the 1968 Kansas football team, marking the 50-year anniversary of its appearance in the Orange Bowl.

Harris Jr., Reesing and Brown will be joining Gilbert Brown, Anthony Collins, Nolan Cromwell, Bobby Douglass, Ray Evans, John Hadl, David Jaynes, Bruce Kallmeyer, Curtis McClinton, Mike McCormack, George Mrkonic, Willie Pless, Gil Reich, Gale Sayers, Otto Schnellbacher, Oliver Spencer, Aqib Talib, John Riggins and John Zook in the Kansas football Ring of Honor.

— KU Athletics —

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Kansas guards Devonte’ Graham and Svialoslav Mykhailiuk were among the 60 players selected in the 2018 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night. Graham was the first Jayhawk taken at No. 34 of the second round by the Atlanta Hawks and was later traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Mykhailiuk was the 47th overall selection of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Historically, the duo gives Kansas 82 all-time NBA Draft selections, including 24 in the Bill Self era which began in 2003-04. It marked the eighth time under Self the Jayhawks have had multiple draftees.

Graham was the 2018 Big 12 Player of the Year and Kansas’ 30th Consensus All-America First Team selection. The Raleigh, North Carolina, guard broke two KU single-season records in 2017-18 with 282 assists and 1,474 minutes played. Also this season, Graham was the only player in the NCAA to averaged 17.0-plus points (17.3), 7.0-plus assists (7.2), 1.6-plus steals (1.6) and less than 3.0 turnovers per game (2.8). Graham concluded his career No. 13 in points (1,750), No. 5 in assists (632), No. 2 in 3-point field goals made (296), No. 7 in steals (197) and No. 2 in minutes played (4,498).

A two-year starter for KU who was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection in 2018, Mykhailiuk broke the Kansas single-season record for 3-point field goals made with 115 in 2017-18. The Cherkasy, Ukraine, guard, who was also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, was second on the KU team with a 14.6 scoring average and was the only player to rank in the Big 12 in the top three in 3-point field goals made (third at 2.9) and 3-point field goal percentage (second at 44.4). Mykhailiuk concluded his career No. 4 on the 3-point field goals made list at 237, No. 5 on the 3-point field goals attempted list at 579 and No. 41 in scoring with 1,181 points.

Kansas posted a 31-8 overall record in 2017-18 and advanced to its 15th Final Four. KU won its 14th-straight, 18th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 61st overall conference regular-season championship with a 13-5 league record. KU’s 14 consecutive titles, which began in 2004-05, set record for the most in NCAA history.

— KU Athletics —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Big 12 Conference released the early television broadcast assignments for the 2018 college football season, with Kansas being tabbed for live broadcasts in each of its first three games, plus its November 23 matchup with Texas.

Kansas will open the 2018 football season with a home game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium versus Nicholls State on Saturday, September 1 at 6 p.m. The KU-NSU game will be broadcast live on the Jayhawk Network in the state of Kansas and the Kansas City metro area and is available outside of the state lines to a national audience on ESPN3. More information on the Jayhawk Network (JTV) and its affiliates is available at KUAthletics.com/TV.

The Jayhawks have a road game on Saturday, September 8 at Central Michigan the second week of the season and the Mid-American Conference designated it for a 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET) start time with a broadcast on ESPN+.

Additionally, the Jayhawks will host Rutgers in their third contest of the season on Saturday, September 15. KU-RU will be televised on Fox Sports Networks with kickoff slated for 11 a.m.

The Friday, November 23 home game against Texas (Senior Day) has been set for an 11 a.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

Kansas made three appearances on FSN in 2017 and two on JTV. KU was featured on FS1 in three of its 2017 games, ESPNU in two games, ESPN for one game and kicked off one time on FOX.

Along with Texas, three other Big 12 rivals will visit Lawrence, including Oklahoma State (Sept. 29/Homecoming, K-Club Weekend), TCU (Oct. 27/Jayhawks for a Cure) and Iowa State (Nov. 3/Salute to Service.

— KU Athletics —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore Udoka Azubuike is entering his name into the 2018 NBA Draft without hiring an agent, Azubuike and KU head coach Bill Self announced Friday.

“I want to declare for this year’s (NBA) draft, but I am not going to hire an agent,” Azubuike said. “I’m going to wait and see where I stand among other bigs out there. I appreciate everyone’s support, but I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying I want to find out. Like many other players, I’m curious.”

“I improved a lot this past season,” Azubuike continued. “All my teammates and all my coaches have helped me to grow in all areas of my life and I really appreciate what they did for me to get to this point.”

The move will allow Azubuike to receive evaluations from NBA teams and participate in the NBA Draft Combine, May 16-20, in Chicago. Azubuike will have until May 30 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft should he choose to return to Kansas for his junior season in 2018-19.

“Udoka has been thinking about this since the end of the season and he feels it’s in his best interest to declare and test the waters which we, as a staff, totally understand and encourage him to do,” Self said. “He’s leaving the option to come back. Doke has improved a tremendous amount this year and we all look forward to seeing how his progression is until it is his time to make a decision on whether to stay in (the draft) or pull his name out.”

In 2017-18, Azubuike led NCAA Division I in field goal percentage at 77.0, which broke the Kansas and Big 12 Conference single-season records. His 77.0 field goal percentage ranks second best for a season in NCAA history. The Delta, Nigeria, 7-foot-0, 280-pound center also led Kansas with six double-doubles, in rebound average at 7.0 boards per game, in blocked shots with 60 and in dunks with 120. A 2017-18 All-Big 12 Third-Team selection, Azubuike ranked seventh in the conference in rebound average, sixth in blocked shots (1.7) and eighth in double-doubles.

In 2017-18, Azubuike posted seven 20-point games, including a career-high 26 points at in KU’s win at Nebraska on Dec. 16. He had six games of 10 or more rebounds, including a career-high 13 boards in Kansas’ victory at Texas on Dec. 29.

— KU Athletics —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas head women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider and his staff added a pair of junior college transfers to their 2018 signing class after Mariane De Carvalho and Niccolly Ramalho signed valid National Letters of Intent to play for the Jayhawks.

As members of the 2018 signing class De Carvalho and Ramalho join Brooklyn Mitchell and Aniya Thomas as Schneider’s third recruiting class since taking over the KU women’s basketball program in 2015. Both De Carvalho and Ramalho are natives of Brazil and prepped at Highland Community College prior to signing with the Jayhawks.

“Nany (Mariane) and Nicci (Niccolly) led Highland Community College to a 63-5 record over the past 2 season,” said Schneider. “They definitely fit our recruiting profile in terms of recruiting competitors with a winning mentality.”

A 6-foot-2 guard/forward, De Carvalho was ranked the No. 6 junior college player of the 2018 class and No. 1 for her position by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. While at Highland, she earned two All-American nods for efforts on the hardwood. De Carvalho is the only player in women’s basketball history at Highland to score 1,000 career points.

“Nany (Mariane) is a long, athletic scorer,” Schneider said De Carvalho. “She has a quick first step and can deliver from every level offensively. She has a high basketball IQ and is very active defensively and on the glass. Her length and quick hands allow her to be very disruptive in a pressure scheme.”

De Carvalho, the nation’s top wing, averaged 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while connecting on 48 percent from the field. She also made 38 percent of her attempts from long range. De Carvalho was named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Player of the Year in 2018 and KJCC Freshman of the Year in 2017. Additionally, De Carvalho earned KJCCC All-Conference First Team honors along with Region VI All-Region First Team accolades.

The native of Araraquara, Brazil was a member of the 2015 U19 Women’s World Championship Team. She chose Kansas over South Carolina, Mississippi State, Kansas State and Creighton.

A 5-foot-5 guard, Ramalho led the Scotties to a 35-1 overall record in 2018 and earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors. She earned National Player of the Week honors after nearly recording a quadruple double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and nine steals.

“Nicci (Niccolly) is a very skilled, hard-nosed guard, said Schneider of Ramalho. “(If you) Glance at the stat sheet, you immediately see how many ways she positively impacts the game. We love her toughness and high energy approach to the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, she can hit the open 3-pointer and is a terrific passer, especially in an open court game.”

Ramalho averaged 12 points, five assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Ramalho also averaged three steals per contest. She led the nation in steals with 131 and ended the year fourth in assists on the season, which helped her set the Highland single-season record for assists and steals.

A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ramalho chose the Jayhawks over Kansas State, Campbell, Saint Louis and San Francisco.

— KU Athletics —

NEW YORK (AP) – Kansas and North Carolina State are the latest schools to be swept up in a bribery scandal involving college basketball.

A rewritten indictment released Tuesday in New York alleges that an Adidas representative, who no longer works for the company, arranged for payments to parents of athletes willing to commit to the schools.

The refreshed indictment came several months after 10 men were charged in an alleged scheme to bribe assistant coaches in exchange for steering top-flight NBA prospects to a particular agent or financial adviser. Four assistant coaches have been prosecuted and the scandal has led to the end of coach Rick Pitino’s career at the University of Louisville. The new indictment expands the scope of the charges, alleging a wire-fraud conspiracy that included alleged payments to families of six student-athletes being recruited by four schools, prosecutors said.

The court papers portrayed the shoe executive and some coaches as bad actors, saying the conspiracy included hiding payments and signing forms falsely asserting that no payments had been made. The indictment paints a picture of transactions that were concealed to allow athletes to make it through eligibility reviews.

Prosecutors said the Adidas representative, James Gatto, and others agreed to pay $90,000 to the mother of a Kansas recruit and to funnel $40,000 to the father of a recruit at North Carolina State who was widely regarded as the top high school recruit in the state of North Carolina and who had played for an Adidas-sponsored Amateur Athletic Union team. No players are directly named, but specific details make clear the indictment is describing former North Carolina State star Dennis Smith Jr. and Kansas player Silvio De Sousa.

Prosecutors say money helped secure the players’ commitments to play college basketball at the schools and encouraged them to sign an Adidas sponsorship deal when they entered the NBA.

Smith, a point guard, was drafted by the Mavericks and declined comment to The Associated Press on Tuesday night as Dallas played the Phoenix Suns.

A date listed in court papers for the announcement – Aug. 30 – is when De Sousa made a surprise announcement he would play for Kansas. He became a crucial player off the bench this season as the Jayhawks reached the Final Four before losing to eventual champion Villanova.

Kansas coach Bill Self said following the program’s year-end banquet Tuesday night that he would not discuss individual student-athletes. But Self did say that “it certainly took away from what was a nice evening tonight from a thought standpoint.

“It doesn’t and shouldn’t take away from us feeling good about what is going on within our program,” he said, adding that he would allow the school to make any future comments.

Prosecutors said they beefed up charges related to the Louisville conspiracy, adding a wire fraud charge. Louisville declined comment.

N.C. State received a grand jury subpoena in January seeking records involving school officials, its former coaching staff, ex-Wolfpack one-and-done guard Dennis Smith Jr. and his representatives.

A recent Yahoo Sports report revealed bank records and other expense reports that listed impermissible payments from agents to at least two dozen players or their relatives, including loans of thousands of dollars to Smith.

In a lengthy statement Tuesday evening, N.C. State said its lawyers and athletics compliance staff contacted former coaches after the first indictments were announced in September.

“Former staff questioned stated they had neither any knowledge nor involvement” in activities related to the allegations in the case, the school said in its statement, pledging cooperation with prosecutors and the NCAA.

Joe Monaco, a Kansas spokesman, said the school learned earlier Tuesday that it was named as a victim in the indictment.

“The indictment does not suggest any wrongdoing by the university, its coaches or its staff. We will cooperate fully with investigators in this matter. Because this is an active investigation, it is not appropriate for us to comment further at this time,” he said.

A lawyer for Gatto did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

— Associated Press —

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas guard Lagerald Vick will forego his senior season to pursue playing basketball professionally, Vick announced Friday.

A regular starter for Kansas in 2017-18, Vick averaged 12.1 points and was third on the KU team with a 4.8 rebound average. The Memphis, Tennessee, guard was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection by the conference’s coaches and posted six games of 20 or more points during the season. In December, Vick had a three-game stretch of 20 or more points and he made 59 3-pointers for the year, including 13 in Kansas’ postseason run to the Final Four.

“Lagerald had a really good year for us,” Self said. “He started out so hot and finished strong. I believe the time is right for him to move on, explore his options as a professional and see what develops. We won a lot of games with Lagerald over the last three years and appreciate everything he’s done for Kansas and our basketball program. We are 100 percent supportive of his decision and wish him the very best in whatever path this takes him.”

As a Jayhawk, Vick was part of three Big 12 regular-season conference championships, two Big 12 Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament Elite Eights and one Final Four. KU won 31 or more games all three seasons Vick was at KU and the Jayhawks went 44-4 (91.7 percent) in Allen Fieldhouse the last three seasons.

“I have nothing but great memories and times with the Jayhawk family – my coaches, my teammates and the fans,” Vick said. “I will never forget the accomplishments and how you all have supported me. It is now time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life. I am declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft and do not plan to hire an agent at this moment. Thanks for the love. ROCK CHALK!!!”

Vick played in 19 games as a freshman, averaging 2.1 points per contest and earning Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honors for his work in the classroom. He started six of 36 games played as a sophomore where he averaged 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He concludes his KU career averaging 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, scoring 775 points with 125 assists and 58 steals.

— KU Athletics —