The Aloha Bowl
1995
Kansas 51
UCLA 30
HONOLULU (Dec 25, 1995 - 22:54 EST) -- Jolted by the words "I'm
staying at Kansas," the Jayhawks welcomed back Glen Mason in the best
possible way- a 51-30 victory over UCLA in the Aloha Bowl. A week after
accepting the coaching job at Georgia, Mason startled his team before
Monday's Christmas game against UCLA, announcing he had changed his mind
and would stay right where he is.
June Henley, who'll be a
beneficiary of Mason's coaching next season, also had a big day,
breaking off a 49-yard scoring run and scoring on a 2-yard carry. For
the afternoon, he finished with 107 yards on 13 carries. After the game,
Mason profusely apologized for his sudden turnaround.
"I apologize to the
University of Georgia and especially to (athletic director Vince)
Dooley," he said. "I don't like to put anyone in an embarrassing
position and I'm not normally a guy who waffles on a decision. "But in
the week that I took the (Georgia) job, I thought it over -- what was in
the best interest of my family and me personally. "Early this morning, I
phoned coach Dooley and told him of my decision not to take the job. I
couldn't be happier than to be the coach at the University of Kansas."
Georgia moved quickly by announcing Jim Donnan of Marshall would become
its new coach. He been a top contender to replace the fired Ray Goff
before Mason was hired last week.
The Aloha Bowl had been
billed one featuring lame duck coaches since UCLA's Terry Donahue had
earlier announced had accepted a television job. Donahue, who stuck to
his plans, ended his 20-year career with a 151-74-8 record, including a
7-5 mark this year. "I didn't think I'd feel as bad as I do," he said.
"But life goes on and I'm going to go on and take it from here."
The No. 11 Jayhawks
completed their season at 10-2, the first 10-win season in the modern
history of the school's football team. They didn't waste any time in
showing their joy over Mason's decision. They stormed to a 17-0
first-half lead on a 9-yard pass from Williams to Jim Moore, a 49-yard
run down the sideline by Henley and a 27-yard field goal by Jeff McCord.
Then, in quick
succession in the third quarter, Henley ran in from 2 yards, and
Williams hooked up on TD passes of 77 yards to Isaac Byrd (video)
and 27 yards to Andre Carter. At that point, the Jayhawks led 37-7. UCLA
tried to respond for Donahue, scoring three times in the fourth quarter
to make it 44-30, but it came too late. Cade McNown led the way with two
touchdown passes to Brad Melsby and another to Kevin Jordan with Karim
Abdul-Jabbar adding the fourth score on a 5-yard run. In between,
Williams scored his rushing TD, with Eric Vann closing the Kansas
scoring on a 67-yard run (video).
The point total was the highest in the history of the 15-year-old bowl, which was sponsored by Jeep Eagle. The 21-point marginal victory was the second highest.
Kansas ball carrier
Paul Guidry intercepts in front of KU's Jim Moore
Attendance- 41,112
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Kan-Moore 9 pass from Williams (McCord kick)
Second Quarter
Kan-Henley 49 run (McCord kick)
Kan-FG McCord 27
Third Quarter
Kan-Henley 2 run (kick failed)
UCLA-Melsby 5 pass from McNown (Merten kick)
Kan-Byrd 77 pass from Williams (McCord kick)
Kan-Carter 27 pass from Williams (McCord kick)
Fourth Quarter
UCLA- Jordan 8 pass from McNown (Merten kick)
UCLA-Abdul-Jabbar 5 run (Melsby pass from McNown)
Kan-Williams 6 run (McCord kick)
UCLA-Melsby 7 pass from McNown (Abdul-Jabbar run)
Kan-Vann 67 run (McCord kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing
UCLA- Abdul-Jabbar 26-152, McNown 11-82
KU- Henley 13-107, Vann 5-78, Williams 11-48, Levin 11-22
Passing
UCLA- McNown 13-34-121
KU- Williams 18-27-288
Receiving
UCLA- Melsby 5-35, Abdul-Jabbar 4-34, Ayers 2-20, Jordan 2-19, Caldwell
1-20
KU- Byrd 4-116, Henley 3-41, A.Smith 3-22, Moore 2-19, Carter 2-32,
Friday 2-32
