Back to basics

Not having to worry about an opponent is proving to be beneficial for KU’s football team.

Kansas has completed two practices and will finish up the week of work today, with no game scheduled for Saturday. With no opponent until Kansas State on Nov. 18, it’s back to the simple things this week on the practice field.

“They’ve been very good for us,” coach Mark Mangino said. “We’ve been able to go back and focus on some things that during the course of the season, you’re so busy gameplanning that sometimes little fundamentals seem to slide away from you a little bit. We were able to get those back on track the last few days.”

Saturday off

Mangino plans to spend at least part of Saturday in Topeka, where Washburn’s football team is playing host to Missouri Western.

Mangino’s son, Tommy, is a reserve quarterback on the Ichabods, though he hasn’t suited up since undergoing an emergency appendectomy Oct. 23.

Duncan recovering

Reserve linebacker Brandon Duncan recently started practicing on a limited basis after injuring his ankle in September.

“He just got the OK to start doing some light work,” Mangino said.

Mangino seemed unsure whether Duncan would return this season, saying “I couldn’t tell you how that will play out.”

“You’d like to think before (spring),” Mangino said, “but I just don’t know.”

Lamb honored twice

KU announced it’s players of the game for the Iowa State game, and it sounds like a broken record.

Receiver Jonathan Lamb was honored on both offense and special teams for his pass-catching and punt-return skills. Lamb shared offensive honors with tight end Derek Fine. Linebacker Mike Rivera was cited for defense.

Smart ones

Lamb and defensive end Russell Brorsen both were named academic all-district by ESPN the Magazine this week. The honor means the two will be placed on the academic all-American ballot that will be filled out at a later date.

Gordon added

Former KU standout Charles Gordon has been promoted.

The Minnesota Vikings cornerback was moved from the practice squad to the team’s 53-man roster Tuesday. Gordon signed with Minnesota as a free agent in April and was thought to be a strong candidate to make the team out of training camp. But a knee injury derailed his progress, and he was placed on the practice squad instead.

The roster spot opened when Minnesota waived safety Rashad Baker.