Since he first came to Kansas University in 2004, senior linebacker Mike Rivera has seen his share of ups and downs.

As a red-shirt freshman, he watched the Jayhawks struggle to a 4-7 record. In 2005, Rivera, then a reserve linebacker, helped lead KU to a 7-5 record that included a victory over Houston in the Fort Worth Bowl.

A sophomore season at 6-6 was quickly forgotten after the Jayhawks’ stellar 12-1 finish and Orange Bowl victory last year.

Despite his roller-coaster ride through the KU football program, Kansas City native Rivera is determined to break the cycle and help lead the Jayhawks to two consecutive winning seasons.

“I have confidence in saying we’re going to do a good job this year,” Rivera said Tuesday at Big 12 Media Days at Kansas City’s Marriott Downtown. “We’re going to win games, and we’re going to be at a bowl game.”

Rivera acknowledges that things have changed for KU football players around Lawrence after last year’s success, but he doesn’t get too comfortable with the newfound appreciation.

“You definitely get a lot more kids asking for your autograph,” he said. “But the message is just to keep on working, never be satisfied. We had a good season, but that’s behind us now. This is a whole new year, and we have a whole new team. You can never get complacent. You need to be humble about it, but always look to the future and see what we can do this year.”

The Jayhawks’ ability to repeat last year’s breakthrough performance has been the question on everyone’s lips this summer, especially in light of a more difficult schedule.

But Rivera isn’t worried. In fact, he welcomes the challenge.

“I think every year you’re going to have to prove something,” he said. “We don’t want to play in games that aren’t challenging. We want to play in games every week that are big. It’s going to be hard, but we’re looking forward to it. We’ve got a lot of good players this year, and we’re looking forward to showcasing them.”

Rivera and his fellow returning linebackers, seniors Joe Mortensen and James Holt, are among those good players.

“Me, James, and Joe, we’re going to be the three-headed monster,” Rivera said. “We know each other really well, what our positives and negatives are. It really helps us to be a successful unit.”

The Jayhawks also will be aided by new players coming up the ranks. Asked about sophomore linebackers Drew Dudley and Justin Springer, Rivera got wide-eyed with excitement.

“I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do,” he said. “They’re learning so fast. Their freshman year, they were way more advanced than me and Joe and James ever were. These kids are going to be really good. They’re students of the game, and also, physically, they’re made to play linebacker.”

Rivera also said a strong defensive line would help KU’s linebackers this season.

“I think a lot of players are going to step up this year,” Rivera said. “Kendrick Harper, Caleb Blakesley, Jamal Greene. Those guys are what makes it easier for us to make plays. We appreciate everything that they do.”

With nine starters returning to KU’s defense, Rivera said not much would change from last season. The biggest difference will be the replacement of defensive coordinator Bill Young with Clint Bowen, who previously served as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

“Coach Bowen is going to be a great defensive coordinator,” Rivera said. “He’s been around the system just as long. He’s been here since day one. There’s not going to be any sort of drop-off. He knows the defense in and out.”

Rivera is as confident in his defensive teammates as he is in the Jayhawks’ success.

“I love our defensive group,” he said. “I think we’re a bunch of crazy guys that just want to run around and make tackles, make plays, make interceptions and have a good time. I can’t wait to see how fast and how explosive we’re going to be this year on defense.”

But he realizes the defense can’t shine without substantial work.

“We can’t just assume that we’re going to be the best defense again,” Rivera said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re doing the things we need to do to be a really good defense. We need to make sure we’re studying our game, studying our plays, making sure that we’re all on the same page so we can work as a unit.”

So as KU gears up for its season and tough match-ups against South Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and, of course, rival Missouri, Rivera says bring it on.

“They’re going to be gunning for us,” he said. “But at the same time, we know they are. We’re still going to be a solid team. We’re still going to make good plays, and people are still going to have to stop us. So we’re ready for the challenge.”