Did you see that?
On first-and-10 from the Nebraska 28-yard line, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing looked to be under fire as he scrambled in the backfield. But the 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior bounced off a defender, took a few steps backward, and fired a touchdown pass to a wide open Kerry Meier down the right sideline.
The game was over when …
Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh – yes, a defensive tackle – caught a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Ganz with 5:58 remaining in the fourth quarter while lined up as an eligible tackle. The score gave the Huskers a 38-28 lead, too much for the Jayhawks to overcome.
Stat of the Game:
Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing was sacked a season-high five times Saturday, as the Jayhawks’ offensive line had its worst showing of the season. In addition to being constantly on the run, the lack of protection also might have resulted in an injury. Reesing was limping noticeably in the second half, and after the game was being evaluated by the team’s medical staff.
Stat of the Game
Four. That was the number of times Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman turned the ball over Saturday: three interceptions and a fumble at the goal line. Freeman, who entered the game with just five interceptions on the year, has now turned the ball over 13 times in three career games against the Jayhawks.
The game was over when…
Kansas running back Jake Sharp scored his third touchdown of the first quarter. After struggling much of the season to get things going early, the Jayhawks scored on their first five possessions Saturday.
Unsung hero
Jeff Spikes. The red-shirt freshman right tackle has taken his lumps this season, but Saturday he helped propel the Jayhawks’ biggest ground game since 2001. Many of Sharp’s runs were to the right side, and Spikes ensured there were holes to hit throughout the afternoon.
The game was over when…
Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing fumbled late in the first half with the Jayhawks trailing by 14. Texas Tech defensive end Brandon Williams forced the fumble on a sack, and McKinner Dixon recovered to give the Red Raiders the ball at the Kansas 38-yard line. Tech scored five plays later to go ahead 35-14.
Unsung hero
Press box statisticians, for somehow managing to keep up with Graham Harrell’s offensive output.
Stat of the game
Eight-for-eight. Texas Tech scored touchdowns on each of its first eight full possessions of the game (not counting a drive that was cut short at the end of the first half), and took a 35-14 lead into halftime. During the drive, Red Raiders quarterback Graham Harrell threw all of his game-high five touchdown passes.
The game was over when…
Kansas failed to convert on a third-and-two late in the third quarter while trailing 38-24. Quarterback Todd Reesing’s pass attempt to receiver Dezmon Briscoe on a deep pass was incomplete, forcing the Jayhawks to punt.
Unsung hero
Jocques Crawford. With the Jayhawks’ kick-return game in a significant rut, Crawford provided a spark in replacing Marcus Herford. Crawford returned three kicks for 77 yards, including a season-best 42-yard return in the first quarter, and likely earned himself a starting role at the position.
KU needs …
A better performance from its pass defense against Texas Tech next week. The Sooners tallied 468 passing yards Saturday, and a strong outing against the notoriously pass-happy Red Raiders could provide a boost heading into the rest of the season.
The tide turned when…
Running back Jake Sharp caught a 67-yard pass from quarterback Todd Reesing that put the Jayhawks on the board for the first time with 12:20 left in the third quarter. The score kicked off a 21-point third quarter for the Jayhawks, who managed to overcome a 20-point deficit thanks to a strong second-half performance.
Unsung hero
Linebacker Mike Rivera. Despite being demoted to a backup role prior to the Sam Houston State game, Rivera came off the bench to provide a significant defensive spark. The senior finished with seven tackles, including one for loss, as the KU defense held ISU to just 13 second-half points.
Did you see that?
Once again, quarterback Todd Reesing had an amazing scramble – except this one didn’t end in a pass. Pinned in by a pair of defensive ends and a safety, Reesing somehow managed to elude them all and rush for an eight-yard gain to the Iowa State one-yard line, setting up Angus Quigley’s one-yard touchdown run a play later.
Did you see that?
With just under a minute remaining in the first half, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing turned a broken play into the Jayhawks’ third touchdown. After scrambling, Reesing fired a 57-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dezmon Briscoe to give Kansas a 21-7 lead.
Stat of the game
305. Despite a number of drops by Sam Houston State receivers, Bearkats QB Rhett Bomar threw for 305 yards through the first three quarters.
The game was over when…
Sam Houston State failed to score following a Kansas missed field goal midway through the third quarter. Trailing 28-14, a successful drive could have changed the complexion of the game. Instead, the Bearkats went three-and-out.
Mr. Reliable
Kansas junior receiver Kerry Meier pulled in a school-record tying 11 receptions Friday in a losing effort. He finished with 11 catches for 120 yards. The most recent player to catch 11 passes was senior Dexton Fields, who did it against Iowa State in 2007.
The game was over when …
The clock said 0:00. Despite Kansas’ second-half struggles Friday, the Jayhawks managed to remain in the game until the final moments.
Kansas overcame a two-touchdown deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter before Maikon Bonani’s game-winning 43-yard field goal.
The deciding factor
While South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns, his most important stat was this: He didn’t throw an interception.
Sometimes turnover-prone, Grothe protected the ball – a large reason why South Florida was able to squeak out a victory.
Did You See That?
Five minutes into the second half, Kansas sophomore receiver Dezmon Briscoe caught a short pass from quarterback Todd Reesing and broke five – yes, five – tackles on his way to a 48-yard touchdown reception that gave KU a 20-0 lead.
Difference Maker
The Kansas red-zone defense. The Bulldogs’ first red-zone attempt ended in an interception by Jayhawks sophomore cornerback Chris Harris. A quarter later, after the Bulldogs had advanced to the Jayhawks’ two-yard line, Tech was held to a field-goal attempt, which was missed by kicker Brad Oestriecher.
Did you know that…
¢ The Kansas defense has not given up a touchdown in two games this season.
¢ For the second straight week, junior running back Angus Quigley led the Jayhawks in rushing.
