Kansas notebook

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 3, 2008

Kansas schedule

11-1 overall, 7-1 Big 12

SEPTEMBER

1 Central Michigan__W, 52-7

8 Southeastern La.__W, 62-0

15 Toledo__W, 45-13

22 Florida International__W, 55-3

OCTOBER

6 at Kansas State__W, 30-24

13 Baylor__W, 58-10

20 at Colorado__W, 19-14

27 at Texas A&M__W, 19-11

NOVEMBER

3 Nebraska__W, 76-39

10 at Oklahoma State__W, 43-28

17 Iowa State__W, 45-7

24 vs. Missouri __L, 36-28

JANUARY

3 vs. Virginia Tech__7 p.m.

Virginia Tech schedule

11-2 overall, 7-1 Atlantic Coast

SEPTEMBER

1 East Carolina__W, 17-7

8 at LSU__L, 48-7

15 Ohio__W, 28-7

22 William & Mary__W, 44-3

29 North Carolina__W, 17-10

OCTOBER

6 at Clemson__W, 41-23

13 at Duke__W, 43-14

25 Boston College__L, 14-10

NOVEMBER

1 at Georgia Tech__W, 27-3

10 Florida State__W, 40-21

17 Miami__W, 44-14

24 at Virginia__W, 33-21

DECEMBER

1 Boston College__W, 30-16

JANUARY

3 vs. Kansas__7 p.m.

Douglass to attend

Former KU All-America quarterback Bobby Douglass hopes to be as healthy as he's been in the past year when he joins many of his teammates from the Jayhawks' last Orange Bowl team at tonight's game.

Douglass, the longtime Chicago Bears quarterback who led the Jayhawks in the famous Jan. 1, 1969, Orange Bowl game against Penn State, has been battling tongue cancer for most of the past year. The aggressive treatment he's undergone has been demanding, but Douglass planned to be in Miami tonight in better shape than he's been in during recent months.

"The doctors think they've got it all," he told The Capital- Journal. "The tests look good now after chemo and radiation. It was a tough treatment there for awhile, but I'm feeling good now."

Tech's Hall injured

Virginia Tech linebacker Vince Hall, the Hokies' second-leading tackler, injured himself at the Virginia Tech beach party and has been limited to minimal practice the last three days. He will be a game-time decison.

Gift grab

One of the not-so-small perks of making a bowl game is the assortment of gifts the players receive, which in the case of this year's Orange Bowl, is valued at $500, the NCAA-imposed limit on bowl gifts.

The big prize was a Sony Bravia stereo system, but all the Jayhawks and Hokies also received an Orange Bowl blanket, an Orange Bowl hat, framed team photograph, an Orange Bowl watch and a garment bag.

Puntless

Kansas has been so efficient on offense this season - 64 touchdowns against 46 punts - that Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer could barely scout KU's punting unit.

"You know, it's pretty amazing, really," Beamer said. "No, I don't think we've ever faced anyone like that. I got ready to study their punts, and it wasn't very long. It didn't take very long to study them, they didn't have many. But that just shows you what an excellent football team they are. Pretty amazing staff, really."

Film weary

Football coaches are known for 14-hour days and squint-inducing film study, but with a month to prepare for one opponent, KU defensive coordinator Bill Young said there's only so much he can do.

"It's to the point where when you put the tape in you already know what the next play is going to be," Young said.

No jokes

Todd Reesing keeps saying Mangino is quite the joker, but Mangino won't spill his comedy act into public, lest he get overexposed.

"It's exclusive to our team," he said. "I only have so much material. I don't want it to get out."

Tully Corcoran covers Kansas athleticsfor The Capital-Journal. He can be reached at (785) 295-5652 or tully.corcoran@cjonline.com.