A few Kansas University football players learned the hard way just how sore a celebration can make somebody.

Following the Jayhawks’ 40-15 victory over Nebraska — their first against the Huskers since 1968 — fans stormed the field in celebration, taking off with goalposts and swarming their favorite players to congratulate them.

A few, like Charles Gordon, were roughed up in the chaos. Gordon was tended by trainers on the field before gingerly walking off with members of KU’s football staff.

“He’s OK,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “He was slightly injured, but we don’t think it will be anything major that will keep him from any work. … It could’ve been a serious problem with Charles. We’re just kind of lucky it wasn’t.”

Mangino said he was told Gordon was knocked off his feet by the rush of students. Mangino also said Nick Reid and a few other players were banged up following the celebration, but none was hurt badly.

“It wasn’t intentional,” Mangino said. “It was just everybody having fun. We just got to be careful.”

The postgame party wasn’t limited to students, either. Several children made their way onto the field, too. Though no injuries have been reported, it still was a bit frightening for Mangino at the time.

“I stumbled over a young boy about the age of 7 or 8,” Mangino said. “There were several young kids running on the field. It really concerned me.”

¢ To the top: After allowing just 22 rushing yards against Nebraska, KU now has the top-ranked defense in NCAA Division I-A against the run. KU’s 64.1 yards-per-game average is more than five yards per game better than Oklahoma’s.

“I didn’t know that,” Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino said Sunday. “I’m very proud of our defense. They have played like the No. 1 defense against the rush in the nation this year.”

Overall, KU has the fifth-best defense in the nation, allowing 273.89 yards per contest. Only Miami (Fla.), Virginia Tech, Alabama and West Virginia — teams with a combined 31-3 record — have higher-ranked D’s.

¢ Texas is next: KU next will face No. 2 Texas on the road, a buzzsaw of a team that no squad has managed to beat this season.

“There’s not a weakness on the team,” Mangino said. “They are truly one of the best. I think they’re the very best team in America.”

The Longhorns are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Vince Young, an explosive dual-threat quarterback. KU had great success stopping another strong dual-threat slinger in Missouri’s Brad Smith, but Mangino said preparation wouldn’t be the same for the two players.

“I think there are similarities,” Mangino said, “but there’s enough differences that you can’t take that approach.”

¢ Game ball: KU’s radio color analyst Max Falkenstien was presented with a game ball Sunday after KU’s victory.

Falkenstien has broadcast Jayhawk games for 60 years and announced before the season his intentions to retire after this year.