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KU finishes cupcakes LAWRENCE | Full yet? After feasting on Florida International 55-3 on Saturday night, the Kansas Jayhawks must be. That’s four opponents, four wins by a combined margin of 214-23. Thing is, the Jayhawks don’t feel guilty about their gluttony. “This is the way we planned it with our team,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “Here’s the key: We’re winning the ones we’re supposed to. There was a time here when that didn’t happen.” KU, 4-0, now knows from personal experience why cupcakes are thought of as comfort food. But here’s an uncomfortable question for Kansas fans: How much has anyone really learned about this team? Sure, it’s hard to argue with a 52-point victory. But the Jayhawks’ offense played as sloppily as it has all season for the first two and a half quarters and scored only one first-half touchdown. For many moments, it appeared as if KU had lost its sweet tooth. The Jayhawks put up 338 yards of total offense in the first half, but a failed fourth-down conversion and two fumbles by normally sure-handed running back Brandon McAnderson derailed successful drives. “Poor fundamentals,” said McAnderson, who recovered to run for two late second-half touchdowns. “It was frustrating because I’m a team captain, and I feel like I’m a leader on this team, and I let them down a little bit.” It’s possible KU was just plain bored with the competition. Maybe that explains why, playing against a team that brought a 15-game losing streak to Lawrence, KU rolled out a new offensive set featuring backup quarterback Kerry Meier as a receiver in the first quarter. The wrinkle was successful. Meier caught a Todd Reesing swing pass for 15 yards. On the next play, Meier went in motion, and Reesing pitched it to him for a 6-yard option run. Reesing then looked off Meier and hit freshman wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe for 13 yards. KU was rolling, and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner looked like a genius. On the next play, McAnderson lined up behind center and took a direct snap. He busted through the line for a gain of 13 yards, but then fumbled the ball away to the Golden Panthers. That’s how it went for the Jayhawks for most of the game, until their talent overcame Florida International in putting up 615 yards of total offense, tied for fifth in school history. Despite the offense’s humble start, it’s hard to ignore quarterback Todd Reesing’s line. He connected on 23 of 37 passes for 368 yards and one touchdown. Reesing also ran for a 9-yard touchdown. Reesing’s play in the nonconference was stellar — he threw for 11 touchdowns and just one interception — and he’s not apologizing for gorging either. “People think, ‘You guys haven’t played anybody,’” Reesing said. “We’re going to take the attitude that we still have something to prove every week. We’re trying to get this program on the map.” The KU defense created five turnovers — three fumble recoveries and two interceptions — and is gaining confidence by the minute. And the big-play ability of cornerback Aqib Talib was on display again this weekend for the 42,134 fans at Memorial Stadium. Talib picked off a pass in the end zone and weaved the length of the field for a 100-yard touchdown return, tying a Big 12 record. The score was his fourth in as many games. “That’s one of the best plays that I’ve seen from a defensive performer in my career,” Mangino said. “I’ve had the good fortune of being around a lot of quality defensive players — All-Americans, first-round draft picks — and I guarantee you that’s one of the most impressive plays that I’ve seen.” Will Talib and the Jayhawks be able to keep it up once they enter Big 12 play, which begins Oct. 6 at Kansas State? “The competition is going to get a lot tougher,” Talib said, “and the game is going to speed up a little bit. It’s the Big 12. We’ll be ready.” If anything, they’ll be well-fed. To reach J. Brady McCollough, sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4363 or send e-mail to jmccollough@kcstar.com |
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J. Brady McCollough - jbrady@coveringsports.com (email) - 816-868-2621 (cell) |
