KU football notebook

¢ Dejà vu?: Kansas coach Mark Mangino watched Kansas State beat Texas on Saturday at his home and admitted it reminded him a little of KU’s chance in 2004, where Texas stormed back with two late touchdowns to beat the Jayhawks, 27-23, in Lawrence.

“We had an opportunity to beat Texas two years ago when they were here,” Mangino said. “We let it slip through our hands. They didn’t.”

Mangino did point out that the situations were different for each team.

“There was a guy missing,” Mangino quipped. “Vince Young.”

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Sharp wins job: Mangino confirmed Tuesday that freshman Jake Sharp was KU’s new primary kick-return specialist.

The job mainly had been sophomore Marcus Herford’s, but Sharp returned kicks against Iowa State and now has the job all to himself.

Sharp has three returns this season, averaging 14.3 yards per chance.

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Running out: KU reported Tuesday that fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday’s game.

The last time the two teams played at Memorial Stadium, Oct. 9, 2004, the estimated attendance was 50,152. Kansas won that game, 31-28.

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Figurs questionable: KSU coach Ron Prince said at his press conference Tuesday that standout wide receiver Yamon Figurs may miss Saturday’s game because of a possible concussion, according to K-State media reports.

Figurs had six catches for 123 yards and a 52-yard punt return against Texas before leaving the game in the second half.

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Rest is good: KU coaches and players are adamant that the week off was a good thing for the team, despite KU having won two straight and picking up momentum going into the bye week.

“After 10 straight weeks, any rest has to be good for us,” guard Travis Dambach said. “I know it helped me coming back to Sunday practice. My legs felt pretty good.”

Defensive tackle James McClinton agreed.

“It felt kind of weird,” McClinton said. “On Saturday, I woke up and I was restful, but during that whole day I was like, ‘Man, what should I do?’

“It felt good. I feel good right now, but I’m ready to play. It’s about time. Let’s go knock heads.”