From the Sidelines: Harsh words were right on
Sports reporter
Nick Reid may not be a household name across the nation, in fact he might not even be a household name across Kansas.
But rest assured, his name is resonating around the University of Kansas campus.
Reid, a standout senior linebacker at KU, was frustrated Saturday after the Jayhawk offense mustered three points for the second consecutive week, falling 19-3 to Oklahoma.
"I'm ready to get in a fist fight with them, but that goes back to pointing fingers and we can't do that," Reid said of the offense. "I have nothing to say to them, they have got to figure it out for themselves, we are out there busting our butts, I guess they need to play with a little more heart."
Wow. In the cliché world of sports interviews, Reid pulled a complete 180.
Most of the time teammates take offense to someone calling them out in the media.
But as a University Daily Kansan headline pointed out, KU fans should be offended at the effort put forth from the Jayhawk offense.
In Saturday's loss to Oklahoma the Sooners led 10-3 at the half. They scored a defensive touchdown, and their field goal came after a KU turnover gave them a short field.
The Sooners' only offensive touchdown was the first of the career for receiver Malcolm Kelly.
Time and time again the KU offense started in or near OU territory, only to turn the ball over or punt. The offense managed just 97 yards, 99 in the first quarter.
That wasn't a typo. Minus two yards in the final three quarters.
One of only a few reasons Reid had every right to say what he did.
Not only did Reid record 15 tackles, three for a loss, he has spilled his guts on the field all year for an 0-3 Big XII Conference record.
Every KU offensive player should cut out a copy of his quote and post it on his locker. They should look at it as if it were a quote from an opposing player saying they were terrible.
Granted, Oklahoma is not the same team it was at the turn of the century, but KU coach Mark Mangino would take a victory against Lawrence High if it counted in the Big XII standings.
The Jayhawks game Saturday at Colorado will be their fourth in a row away from Memorial Stadium.
If the offense, including Mangino, doesn't listen to Reid, the 4-2 Buffaloes will make the Oklahoma loss look good.
