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by Jesse Newell
December 17, 2008 at midnight
Top five KU football plays from the 2008 season
We're counting down the top five stories on various topics today as part of an annual recap of the top stories of the year we'll do later this month. Join the conversation by letting us know what we missed or what stories you think are important by posting a comment, below.Though it didn't finish at the top of the polls, the 2008 Kansas football team might have been among the nation's leaders in highlight-reel plays. Oftentimes, KU players found themselves on ESPN's Top 10 ranking, a segment that celebrates the best plays each day in the sports world.Looking back, here are my top five football plays from the 2008 season (note: this does not count the 2008 Orange Bowl). 5. Dezmon Briscoe breaks five (and perhaps even six) tackles on his way to a 48-yard touchdown reception against Louisiana Tech.
Briscoe displayed his NFL ability on this play, cutting across the middle and stepping through every Bulldog who attempted an arm tackle. It was also a memorable moment afterward at Memorial Stadium, as fans counted the missed tackles on the videoboard replay.4. Todd Reesing bounces off a big hit from Nebraska's Eric Hagg before throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kerry Meier. Though he's a cornerback, Hagg is listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. He put quite a lick on Reesing, but somehow Reesing kept his balance (and composure) before finding a wide-open Meier running free toward the end zone.3. Todd Reesing sidesteps two tacklers, launches 57-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Briscoe against Sam Houston State.
When I first saw this play, I thought that for sure it would be the best play I would see from KU all season. Reesing made two defenders look silly by sidestepping them, then bought time by scrambling to his right before tossing the ball 60-plus yards in the air to a sprinting Briscoe. From the press box, the pass originally looked a few steps overthrown. Turned out Reesing had Briscoe's speed measured perfectly, delivering a pass with impressive accuracy.2. Dezmon Briscoe tips the ball up to himself, then pins the ball to his helmet in a 26-yard reception against Texas.
On a play similar to David Tyree's catch in the Super Bowl, Briscoe went up over a Texas defender, tipped the ball up to himself, then somehow managed to pin the ball against his head with one hand for the reception. It's probably the best catch I've ever seen in person. Also remember it was on a fourth-and-11 and led to the Jayhawks' only touchdown of the game.1. "The pass" from Todd Reesing to Kerry Meier, a 26-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left that helped KU defeat MU, 40-37.
This one takes the top spot based on significance alone. On fourth-and-7, Reesing managed to buy some time by moving up in the pocket before floating a touch pass to Meier for the game-winning score. Both Reesing and Meier simply made a play, as both were resourceful enough in a scramble situation to make something happen. Also helping the play was the setting (Arrowhead Stadium, a neutral site, with large snowflakes falling), which made for some great video. Later, Meier would admit that he didn't even see Reesing throw the pass; instead, he just saw the ball in the air and ran under it. This play should be long remembered in Border War history.Honorable mention:
Jake Laptad gets 16-yard sack, safety against Colorado's Cody Hawkins;
Daymond Patterson runs, hurdles his way to 75-yard punt return touchdown against FIU;
Jake Sharp helps change momentum with 67-yard touchdown reception against Iowa State;
Darrell Stuckey hustles to catch Louisiana Tech's Patrick Livas from behind at the 2-yard-line to help preserve KU's 29-0 shutout over the Bulldogs;
Stuckey chases down Missouri's Chase Daniel on a 47-yard run, punching the ball loose from behind before recovering the fumble himself.
Comments
eastcoasthawk (anonymous) says…
In my book Stuckey's play on Daniel blows away several of these. In addition I would say the safety in the Missouri game could be up there also. Obviously, I am in the camp that thinks the stomping of the tiggers made our season. So I certainly agree with number one.
Rivethead (anonymous) says…
Angus Quigley's run and hit on Blake Gideon has to be at least honorable mention as well. They're still talking about that hit down here in Austin!
AzHawk97 (anonymous) says…
On play #4 at Nebraska what struck me about the play was not just Reesing but Kerry Meier as well. Meier for most of that play is on the ground, and then he sees Reesing is still on his feet in trouble. He then pops up, hits stride, catches the ball, and runs in for the score all in the span of a couple of seconds. Check out the :32 mark when Meier is still on the ground watching Reesing.
stupidmichael (anonymous) says…
stupidjesse,The most significant play of the year is definitely the game-winning touchdown pass to Meier against Missouri.The most highlight-reel-worthy play of the year is definitely Briscoe's pin-against-the-helmet catch. I believe that made ESPN's top 5 college football plays of the year.
ttoulouse (anonymous) says…
I agree with eastcoast that the Stucky play should have been up there. I believe he had the final hit when we stuffed them at the 2 yard line as well. Maybe we need a top 10 plays or top 5 over all performances of the year. Stuck would certainly have that series included as well as his TOs during the Mizzou game.
woodhawk (anonymous) says…
Honorable Mention:Stuckey's TD saving run-down of that back from La. Tech who reportedly runs a 4.4 40.
jnewell (Jesse Newell) says…
Guys — I actually was talking with Tom Keegan about this list, and he believed the Stuckey punch and recovery should have been No. 5 as well. My question is, which play would you bump off? Would you knock off the Briscoe breaking-six-tackles reception? Reesing's throw against Nebraska? Just wondering.Also, woodhawk, the play you speak of is already on the honorable mention.
HowMuchRice (anonymous) says…
Kerry Meier's one-handed snag against Oklahoma on that bullet pass from Reesing has to rank up there, even though it's typical Meier.
hawk_bred20 (anonymous) says…
jnewell - If I had to bump one off it would be that Briscoe catch and run. Although it is an amazing play and definitely one of the top 10 plays of the year, I think the inferiority of the competition takes away form it. The Stuckey play on Mizzou was a game/season saver. There is no waaaay you can take the Reesing play against Nebraska off, I've never yelled so loud in my life watching one single play.
jhokfan (anonymous) says…
Two of the top five were against teams we would have beaten anyways and two were against teams we lost. My top five would all be from the mizwho game. After "the pass" you can put them in any order you like. Stuckey's play on Daniel, the safety, the interceptions, the blocked field goal, etc. I think I would have to put the blocked field goal up there because the look on the faces of mizboohoo fans was priceless.
ttoulouse (anonymous) says…
jhokfan - totally forgot about the blocked field goal, as did most of the commentary afterward. That was definitely a close second to the Reesing/Meier hookup because without it, there may still have been a game. good call!
quigley (anonymous) says…
howmuchrice-I agree about meier's catch. I have it saved on my DVR and show it to everyone. I have never seen a ball thrown that hard just STOP on one hand like that.
eastcoasthawk (anonymous) says…
The one hander from Dez in the Mizwho game was beautiful too! As for the blocked field goal - I still can't believe the Fox announcers totally missed that the ball was blocked at the line. Jesse - you just need to extend it to the Top Ten plays like KJ-IBT did overall game performances.
Kleave (anonymous) says…
I wouldn't exactly call a 3 point victory "stomping" the "tiggers"...which I assume you meant to be a Winnie the Pooh reference and not a mispelling of tigers...but yeah, a win over the tigers is still awesomeness.