Through the Phog
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Kansas football: Loss of game-breaker provides opportunities

By Stan Unruh

LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to get an officials attention after a penalty in the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach David Beaty of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to get an officials attention after a penalty in the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas football team cannot afford many mistakes in their quest to win fans back this season. Dismissing a speedy playmaker shouldn’t hurt them.

Kansas football fans learned Sunday that one of last season’s top receivers LaQuvionte Gonzalez is gone. The Kansas City Star reported the Texas A&M transfer violated team rules and was dismissed him from team. Head Coach David Beaty did not issue any statement and doesn’t need to say much more about it.

It is unfortunate to see a student athlete dismissed from any college program. On the other hand, I’m glad Beaty took action in July and did not wait until September. I’m sure this decision was difficult. Beaty has known Gonzalez a long time.

There are plenty of receivers on the Kansas football team. Few can run with Gonzalez, but this is one loss that shouldn’t worry fans. A few weeks ago the Paul Hornung Award did name  Gonzalez to their preseason watch list. The award is given to college football’s most versatile player.

When he held on to the football, Gonzalez could compete with anyone and outrun most.  Last season he showed Kansas football fans his game-breaking speed. He had a pair of scoring plays of 95 or more yards and caught 62 passes for over 700 yards. It was even more fun to watch Gonzalez return kicks.  His 99-yard return for a score against Ohio temporarily shut up Bobcat coach Frank Solich. Later in the game, Gonzalez fumbled on a couple of punt returns He also had butter fingers in two other games.

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The Kansas football roster lists over a dozen other wide receivers. Most of them are veterans with plenty of experience. Last season’s leading receiver Steven Sims, Jr. won’t miss a beat. He should work well with Alabama transfer Daylon Charlot.  The dismissal simply means more opportunity for another Jayhawk. Someone will step up and make the most of the opportunity for additional playing time. By October Gonzalez will be forgotten.

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