114Points scored by Kansas in its first two games of 2007
10KU’s rank in NCAA total offense
7Number of different WRs to catch a TD pass
250+ point performances, the first time in school history such a feat has occurred
Ed Warinner sounded like he was spouting a cliche during the summer, and maybe he was.
But Kansas University’s offensive coordinator wasn’t lying when he laid out the fundamental rule of the Jayhawks’ new offensive attack: Get the ball into the playmakers’ hands.
That would explain Aqib Talib’s two touchdown receptions this season, despite being a full-time cornerback. It also would explain Marcus Henry’s 222 yards receiving on a team-high 12 catches in two games. And it helps explain why Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp have 27 and 23 carries respectively, a relatively even number for two backs who both average six yards per rush.
KU’s offense has been tremendous through two games, and it could continue when Toledo – a team decimated by injuries on defense – comes to Lawrence on Saturday for a 6 p.m. game.
But, really: Was the KU coaching staff expecting its offense to be this effective?
“We had some indications in the spring,” KU coach Mark Mangino said, “but we still had a competition at quarterback going on. We needed an additional wide receiver to help us out, and we got that with Dezmon Briscoe, a true freshman. We needed help on the offensive line, and we got that with Chet Hartley, a transfer out of Butler Community College.
“As two-a-days progressed, we felt like we had a chance to be pretty good. We have scored some points, no question about that, but we feel like we have to continue to get better.”
Led by quarterback Todd Reesing, a stable of capable wide receivers and an offensive line that has graded out well despite being filled with new faces, Kansas hasn’t had much trouble moving the ball down the field.
The proof: The Jayhawks have had two three-and-outs this season. Both drives started in the first quarter of the first game.
With the rust off, KU’s offense has been a smooth-running locomotive.
“I don’t think we’re clicking more than I thought we’d be,” tight end Derek Fine said. “It’s kind of what we expected, after coming through two-a-days and everybody picked the offense up and was on the same page.”
It’s led to 14 touchdowns in two games – 12 of them by the offense. Seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes, and three different backs have carried the ball across the goal line.
The fireworks could keep going, too. KU’s next two opponents, Toledo and Florida International, have surrendered 50-point games to an opponent. Toledo gave up 52 points to both Purdue and Central Michigan.
Kansas, meanwhile, has scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time in school history. But those milestones mean little to the Jayhawks compared with what really matters – that the offense is a creation that’s successfully up and running, getting warmed up for Big 12 Conference play starting in October.
“The biggest thing right now is there’s still room for improvement,” Fine said. “That’s the biggest thing for us : to keep improving and keep trying to perfect the little things that our offense needs to make it work that much better.”
It took Kansas all of six seconds to tally its first basket on Saturday at Arizona.
The Jayhawks scored early Drew Gooden tapped the opening tip to Kirk Hinrich who fed Nick Collison for a hoop at 19:54 and often in building a 53-38 halftime lead on the previously undefeated Wildcats.
The quick start set the tone for a fast-paced game as the Jayhawks clicked in a 105-97 victory.
“I think it was a big first possession,” KU coach Roy Williams said after the Jayhawks’ fourth victory in five games. “We throw it in to Nick Collison who gets the basket. You get confidence by scoring. Maybe it sits the crowd down, but at the same time we’ve never been beaten by a crowd.”
KU, which next meets Wake Forest at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse, silenced the Arizona fans the first half, though the Wildcat faithful did awaken the final 20 minutes.
“We played really well the first half. That was a lot of fun,” Collison said after scoring 14 points in 22 minutes, including 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting the first half.
KU blazed to 25 baskets in 44 first-half shot attempts, good for 56.8 percent. Kansas did miss eight of 11 three-point tries, but had 13 first-half assists against eight turnovers.
“The first half we came out running,” KU guard Kirk Hinrich said. “We got some easy ones.”
KU finished Saturday’s game with 39 baskets in 70 tries for 55.7 percent. The Wildcats hit 30 of 85 shots for 35.3 percent. KU hit seven of 19 threes to Arizona’s 14 of 38.
The Jayhawks ran the Wildcats ragged the first 20 minutes.
“The first half was a nightmare,” Arizona freshman guard Will Bynum said.
“The main thing is we didn’t have our guys getting back on defense,” UA freshman forward Dennis Latimore noted. “You see some of their guys and think they’re just a bunch of slow guys. But they got the ball out real quick right from the rebound.”
The Jayhawks’ team speed seemed to surprise Zona.
“Those guys were just blowing by us,” UA associate head coach Jim Rosborough said. “We were a little shell shocked.”
The Jayhawks, who finished with five players in double figure scoring, now hope to keep it up Tuesday night at home versus Wake Forest and down the line.
“It was a real good win. I like the way everyone played with composure,” Collison said. “Other than that, it’s a long season. We want to consistently come out and play every night. We lost to Wake last year by 32. We should be focused for that one.”
