Saturday, October 28, 2006

KU closes out CU, 20-15

By Ryan Greene

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KU vs. Colorado football

FIRST QUARTER

Colorado 3, Kansas 0

For a pair of offenses which entered today's contest at Memorial Stadium hurting for consistent production, the early indications are that those struggles could continue.

Colorado opened the game by using a host of personnel to move the ball almost 20 yards, but backup quarterback James Cox threw a hurried incompletion under pressure to stall the drive. Kansas University wasn't much sharper, hurting itself with a false start on third-and-nine to go three-and-out on its first turn with the ball.

The Buffs were aided again by a KU penalty on their next possession, when Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera de-cleated Cox when running out of bounds well short of the first down marker on a third-and-16, drawing a personal foul call. With that as a little fuel, the Colorado offense got rolling.

After the penalty, Colorado moved 40 yards in six plays to set up a 38-yard chip-shot field goal for Mason Crosby with 4:51 left in the first quarter.

KU showed some promise on its possession following Crosby's kick, when Marcus Herford returned the ensuing kickoff to his own 41-yard line after a nice lateral cut to find the sideline. The Jayhawks then found success on third-and-six, when Marcus Henry snagged a pass behind him and got 16 yards on the play. But two snaps later, Barmann tried to squeeze a pass into the grip of Jonathan Lamb, only to have the route jumped by Colorado's Terrence Wheatley, setting the Buffaloes up on their own 27-yard line.

The Jayhawk defense put the grips on when Colorado took possession, allowing a first down on a 13-yard Bernard Jackson quarterback scramble, but then stalling the drive at the CU 48-yard line. It brought the first quarter to an end.

SECOND QUARTER

Colorado 6, Kansas 0

The Colorado offense continued to plug away little by little after Kansas punter Kyle Tucker gave the Buffaloes favorable field position at their own 40-yard line.

Audio clip

Coach Mark Mangino talks about KU's win over Colorado

CU's drive went numb at the Kansas nine-yard line, but before that, tailback Hugh Charles was the spark this time around. He started with a nine-yard run to give CU a first down on second-and-six, and followed it with a twisting, cutting 18-yard run to put the Buffs in field goal range. Colorado nearly had a touchdown on two plays before settling on a 26-yard Crosby field goal to go up 6-0, but Riar Geer couldn't haul in Bernard Jackson's pass at the goal line.

Kansas gave fans on hand reason to stay awake on its next possession - for a little bit. The Jayhawks began the drive by going three-for-three on third down attempts, with the most impressive of which being on a seven-yard pass from Barmann to Henry on third-and-four. Upon catching the ball over the middle, Henry was thumped by CU's Terry Washington, but maintained possession.

Another penalty set the drive back some, with a false start turning a second-and eight into second-and-13. Two plays later, facing third-and-seven, Barmann threw a deep ball to Murph, who ran a deep slant toward the west sideline, but the ball slipped off of his fingertips while going out of bounds. The Jayhawks went for it on fourth down, only to wind up three yards short of the sticks.

Colorado couldn't take advantage of getting possession at its own 34-yard line, executing a quick three-and-out routine. A Matt Dilallo punt set Kansas up at its own 30 with 2:20 to go until halftime.

Colorado 9, Kansas 0

The Jayhawks then teased the same fans they'd woken up on their previous drive when they got the ball back.

Colorado burned all thre timeouts to try and get a legitimate possession before halftime, only to give KU an automatic first down on fourth-and-29 when Lionel Harris ripped Kyle Tucker down after punting the ball, drawing a personal foul call. But on the next snap, Barmann threw a ball for tight end Derek Fine into swarming triple coverage, and it was snagged by Colorado linebacker Brad Jones, who drifted into the secondary. It set Colorado up at the Kansas 30-yard line with more than a minute until the half.

Jackson started the drive with a 15-yard scramble, and Crosby ended it with a 32-yard field goal, to put Colorado up 9-0.

Right before the half, Mangino then sparked the day's most intriguing personnel conversation.

While Colorado was padding its lead, he began to talk with true freshman quarterback Todd Reesing, who may have his redshirt burned once KU takes the ball to start the second half. Reesing put his helmet on for the half's final minute, indicating he might come in soon.

Barmann has completed 11 of 18 passes, but has thrown for just 74 yards and has been picked twice.

It would spark an offense desperate for just that. The Buffaloes outgained the Jayhawks in yardage, 135-86 in the first 30 minutes. Most glaringly is KU's 12 rushing yards on 11 carries. Jon Cornish has 21 yards on eight carries, still 18 away from becoming KU's first 1,000-yard rusher since June Henley in 1996.

THIRD QUARTER

The Todd Reesing era got off to a bumpy start, safe to say.

The good was that he drew a cascade of cheers from the fans still on hand when leading the Jayhawks onto the field to start the half. The bad came three snaps later.

After throwing an incompletion on second-and-six, he threw another pass over the middle which was tipped and intercepted by Lionel Harris, setting Colorado up inside the KU 30.

The defense didn't lose momentum from the turnover, though. Colorado wound up with a fourth-and-one at the 19-yard line, and Jackson could not get enough push to move the markers.

Reesing on the next possession threw a five-yard pass to Brian Murph on third down for his first career completion, which also resulted in a first down. Two plays later, Cornish ran down the right sideline for a 13-yard gain, which also put him over 1,000 yards for the year. The drive ran out of gas, though, just shy of midfield, forcing Tucker to head in again.

Colorado 9, Kansas 7

KU got the ball back quickly, aided by an offensive pass interference on Colorado on a third-and-long.

Reesing continued from there to look even more comfortable. On the first play of the next drive, he threw to fellow freshman Jake Sharp down the left sideline on a play action pass, and the speedy Salina Central product took it for 42 yards down to the Colorado 37-yard line. Three snaps later, Reesing showed his big-time arm again. Looking for Jeff Foster in the end zone, the throw was on the money in the back right corner, but Foster was interfered with, setting KU up at the 22.

One play later, KU answered for real.

Reesing threw a short dump pass to Cornish, who scooted 22 yards untouched to pull KU within two points, 9-7, with 4:35 to go in the third quarter.

Colorado's offense looked fluent upon taking the field again, and began to control the clock with a stout running attack. They moved the chains deep into Kansas territory when Jackson scrambled for a 22 yard gain on second-and-nine down to the KU 27-yard line.

But on the final play of the third quarter, Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib made up for a near-miss on an interception earlier in the quarter. He jumped a comeback route on the near sideline at the Kansas 15-yard line, and took it 61 yards the other way, setting Kansas up on the Colorado 24 to start the final frame.

FOURTH QUARTER

KU 14, CU 9

Four snaps was all Reesing needed to continue to become a new fan favorite.

He ran for 14 yards up the middle on the first snap of the quarter, and three plays later took it in himself from three yards out, just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter. He sprinted across the goal line, pumping his fists, bumping in mid-air with Murph, and re-energizing a previously silent stadium.

The defense fed directly from it.

Colorado began the next drive by hurting itself with a holding call, and on third-and-14 from its own 16, Jackson went deep down the left side for Barnett on a post pattern. Talib played it perfectly, knocking it away sans interference, and getting KU the ball back on its own 47.

KU 20, CU 9

As opposed to the last three weeks, this time, KU took a huge step towards stomping on its opponents hopes of a late comeback.

On a third-and-10, Reesing turned in the game's offensive play of the day. He was under durress from Lionel Harris, who actually had him wrapped up in the backfield. He escaped by running cartoon-like circles, and then threw the ball 31 yards downfield to Foster.

Reesing capped the drive with a beautiful fade lob to Derek Fine from five yards out. Kansas missed the two-point conversion, taking a 20-9 lead with 7:57 to go.

The defense continued to deal finishing blows when Colorado took its biggest offensive risk of the day.

Beginning to move the ball successfully again, Jackson threw a swing out to receiver Dusty Sprague in the left flat. From there, Sprague threw downfield, but Talib jumped in front of the intended receiver and grabbed the ball at its highest possible point, giving KU the ball again at its own 33, with 4:46 left to run out.

KU 20, CU 15

At that point, Reesing decided he hadn't had enough of living up the moment.

In an instance similar to the earlier one where he was nearly sacked, Reesing escaped the pocket, and after zigging and zagging for a good 25 yards, he sprinted to the Colorado two-yard line before being tripped up.

Then, he reminded everyone he's still a freshman.

After a five-yard offensive penalty, while being dragged down in the secondary, he fumbled the ball forward, and coincidentally flipped it into the awaiting arms of Colorado safety Ryan Walters, who took it for a pick-six of nearly 100 yards. The two-point conversion pass was dropped by a wide open Alvin Barnett, keeping Colorado in need of another touchdown with 3:17 to go.

Kansas' Jeff Foster recovered the onsides kick attempt.

After running down as much aof the clock as the offense could, KU left Colorado on its own 18-yard line, with :59 left to go and a lot of ground to cover.

The Buffs shot themselves in the feet, first with a false start after a nice initial gain on first down, and then they negated a Jackson run to midfield due to a holding call. Jackson's downfield bomb attempts failed, and Kansas finished off an opponent for the first time in nearly a month, 20-15.

Comments

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

Magino lovers!

Enjoy the second half of the lesson the 'Buffs are putting on Mangino's 'Hawks! Your hero coach has blue chipper Adam Barmann looking as cool and composed as ever! KU will no doubt end the game with a big fat zero on the scoreboard just like the number of Big 12 wins the 'Hawks are going to earn this Big 12 season. Well done on the contract extension Mr. Perkins!

October 28, 2006 at 2:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

walkdog262 (anonymous) says...

Man, KU is just not looking good as a program right now. At least it's volleyball season.

October 28, 2006 at 2:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

born_n_raised_n_kansas (anonymous) says...

Yeah, I think Mangino is going to be looking for a new Job in about a Month.

October 28, 2006 at 2:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

At least, Mangino is so some concern. Why play Barman a Senior especiually when he is NOT having a good day. Barman willbe gone next year and this year is lost. Reesing may not be the answer, but you got to play the rookies to figure out if they can play. KU offense is way out of synch and CU has a very doog Defense! It will be a long day for KU.

October 28, 2006 at 2:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

Mangino might save his job for another week if KU can pull off the major upset and somehow knock off one-conference win Colorado. Don't get too excited yet 'Hawk fans because the game is never over until it is over with Mangino steering the ship!

October 28, 2006 at 3:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

Reesing isn't bad. Maybe Mangino should be fired for not letting Reesing be the starter from the beginning of the season. KU's best quarterback sat on the bench until today. Go figure! Another brilliant move by Mangino!

October 28, 2006 at 3:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

mangino made his best coaching move of the year by takin barmann out and puttin reesing in! despite the huge gamble it was, its payed off!

October 28, 2006 at 3:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KWufan (anonymous) says...

Sasquatch, what a fair weather fan you are. Why so down on Mangino? Young team means the future is set up. Go crawl back in your cave and try to make fire. Are you gonna say fire Bill if the basketball team loses one game this yr. Im disappointed we could be undefeated too, but at least we are getting blown out all the time anymore a la Terry Allen

October 28, 2006 at 3:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

maybe ku should just start fallin behind in the beginning of the game and then come back and win instead of giving up a big lead and losing.

October 28, 2006 at 3:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

You have to wonder why KU cannot figure out the QB rankings from practice. KU has gone through so many changes at QB the past few seasons under Mangino. You can not play 3-4 QBs a year. There is no way you have this type of talent. There must be a real problem with pratice that the coaches cannot figure out who the stud is at this position.

October 28, 2006 at 3:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

I was starting to get worried, but Mangino found a way to get Colorado back in the lead. I guess Mangino delivered.

October 28, 2006 at 3:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

I see Mangino's wife is insulting me now.

October 28, 2006 at 3:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

The only decision Mangino has made correctly this year is inserting Reesing at quarterback. It has come several games too late, but at least it came. KU just might win this game. KU should tear down the goalposts and drench Mangino in a gatorade bath after this surprise. Ku hasn't tasted victory is a long time. The drought just might end today!

October 28, 2006 at 3:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

'Hawks win! 'Hawks win! Wow! haha!

October 28, 2006 at 4:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

what was mangino saving reesing for? this could have been ku's greatest season ever in history. the schedule was set up for ku to run the table all the way to the big 12 title game and they would have done it if the lake travis, tx product reesing had been carrying the team from the beginning of the season. what a shame mangino waited until now to let the lightening out of the bottle!

October 28, 2006 at 4:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mojayhawk (anonymous) says...

WHERE are you from, sasquatch? Rather, what school are you from, Mizwho or where?

October 28, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Guys, I hate to throw a damper on this victory, and believe me I'm thrilled they actually pulled one out. But let me point out that it's ONE victory, against a mediocre-to-terrible CU team, at home. Let's see what Reesing does over a few games, including at least one on the road, before annointing him as the second coming of Joe Montana, okay?

October 28, 2006 at 4:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Gootsie (anonymous) says...

nikesasquatch - kiss my butt. And you can eat your words now too.

Big letters do not a big person make.

October 28, 2006 at 4:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BunE (anonymous) says...

The move to put in the true frosh was a bad one. A single win is hardly worth pulling a redshirt. The season is a mess. So much for building a program.

October 28, 2006 at 4:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GIHAWK (anonymous) says...

We only won because Colorado couldn't pass the ball effectively. Play against another good passer and we are toast...

October 28, 2006 at 4:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

walkdog262 (anonymous) says...

I agree with actorman. If KU can't beat CU, the Big 12's worst team at home, then there's really big trouble. This is the last 'W' of the year for the Jays.

October 28, 2006 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

waymilky (anonymous) says...

I have mixed feelings on using Reesing. It was nice to get the win, but with just a few games left Reesing just lost a season. On the other hand, we don't know the extent of Meier's injury (except for maybe Nikesmellslikesnatch, who seems to know everything) and if KU could pull out a few more wins we could still get a bowl game.

October 28, 2006 at 6:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

Your petty insults are weaker than KU's secondary. At least you have a little fire in you. Mangino seems to carry the same face win or lose. This was a big win for Mangino's boys. I'd like to see Reesing take over the starting job now for the rest of his career and hopefully Mangino sees it like I do. Reesing is the only quarterback KU has that can get the job done. Meier might be able to get the job done if they played touch football.

October 28, 2006 at 6:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nikesasquatch (anonymous) says...

KU has a very good chance of going to a bowl game this year if Reesing is allowed to run the show. If Mangino decides differently, look out! Mangino needed a win over Colorado to save his job and he knew it. You don't pull the redshirt off a quarterback at this point unless you know your kneck is resting on the guillotine. No matter what happens the rest of the year Reesing deserves all the credit for the Colorado win.

October 28, 2006 at 6:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Defixione (anonymous) says...

LMAO

October 28, 2006 at 6:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

remlap101 (anonymous) says...

Coach Mangino is under tremendous pressure to meet expectations and take us to a bowl (albeit lower tier). Reesings red shirt doesn't mean anything to future seasons because the future is now. For KU to be able to recruit up it must show positive results now.

October 28, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

biggunz (anonymous) says...

sasquatch-
although reesing did in fact win this game for ku, you need to remember...barmann looked pretty damn good when meier first got hurt. he sure didn't look like the same guy today. just because reesing had an unreal day doesn't mean you should expect it from him every saturday. it is unrealistic to think of him as the saviour of this team. if he was that damn good, he would have been playing sooner. if you don't understand that, you haven't been around very long.

October 28, 2006 at 7:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimhawks (anonymous) says...

Big deal about Reesing pulling his red shirt. Mier is a Freshman and even if Reesing sits out this year, chances are he sits next season and wastes that year. Why not try him out, now we know he can play and we might not have ever seen him as long as Mier stayed healthy next year. This kid is fast and exciting! He had the defense guessing and made them not only focus on Cornish, but on himself. I love it! Let's hope this kid continues to play this season. Go Hawks!!! muck fizzou!!!

October 28, 2006 at 8:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fourbagger (anonymous) says...

I wonder if some of you ever even attended KU. It would be nice if some of the comments had a little more sophistication. Some of the comments appear to be academic fraud. Mangino will not lose his job after this season and we have a young team that is learning on the fly. Fourbagger

October 28, 2006 at 9:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

No kidding. Although the win was nice and it was a good idea to put Reesing in, people need to remember they were playing Colorado (not exactly a great team). I thought Reesing did an amazing job to bring the team back but if everyone will remember kerry meier has done enough to win the last two games, the defense just blew it. Personally i think meier deserves the starting job once he's healthy but since the redshirt has been pulled, Reesing plays until he's healthy. if you all can remember, barmann had a pretty good 1st start of his career but look at him now. so u cant really judge off just one performance. but after all that, well done hawks!

October 28, 2006 at 10:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

You guys are rediculous! Yesterday you were saying to the true KU fans that you can make all the excuses you want but a win is a win and a loss is a loss.
Now you are criticizing Mangino for doing what needed to be done to get the W.
Mangino pulled the kids redshirt because he wanted to win today. I think it is one of the smartest and boldest moves he has made all year. Its not easy to cut a kids redshirt this late in the season. Say what you want but today Mangino is a winner.
Sorry basketball fans, but the season aint over yet. Rock Chalk Jayhawk Football!

October 28, 2006 at 11:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

That's right, it won't be over until they find a way to choke in Ames next week.

October 29, 2006 at 12:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JHawk4Whittemore (anonymous) says...

Man, there are some real doubters in here. I'm not gonna talk crap on a coach who took us from being one of the worst team in football, and then just a few years later getting us to a bowl game. Unlike you all, I was actually a FAN of the Jayhawks during the Terry Allen days. I've seen bad, and this isn't that bad. Atleast we actually won some games, unlike in Terry Allen's day. Plus, we still have a shot at getting to a bowl. So quit putting down Mangino just because he makes more money taking a dump then you will make in a year, because as far as I'm concerned he is one of the best coaches in the league.

October 29, 2006 at 1:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

Reesing looked good. And, I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to perform at a high level over the next few games. My reasons:

1. Success breeds confidence.

2. Confidence is contagious.

3. There is no film for other teams to study on this guy. Other teams won't be able to find tendencies or habits in certain situations because there hasn't been enough playing time to establish either or to capture them on film.

Time to see what kind of ponys we've got in the stable.

October 29, 2006 at 2:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kevinv (anonymous) says...

You folks at KU are about to find out how unbelievably blessed you are to have Todd Reesing! What you saw on Saturday would have been considered an "ok" game for Reesing here in Texas. You have only seen the beginning. I graduated from UT and I look forward to seeing Reesing carve "KU" on Mack Browns butt! You laugh, I promise it will happen! Play Reesing for the rest of the year and KU will get a bowl game. Start Reesing for his remaining three years and KU will be a top contender in the Big 12 and possibly we Texans will have to admire your "roses". Good luck and this family of Longhorns is rooting for Reesing and the Jayhawks!

October 29, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

I hope you're right kevinv because the QB position has plagued us long enough. Usually a quaterback controversy involves two players but here it involves three. Not only this year but last year as well.

October 30, 2006 at 8:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )