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'06 game vs. CU gave Reesing his chance
QB brings undefeated Kansas to Boulder
A lot of freshman quarterbacks wouldn't be too pleased about having to burn their redshirt in the ninth game of a losing season. Kansas' Todd Reesing figures it might have been the best thing that could have happened for his career.
With one quarterback injured and another not getting the job done, Reesing relieved Adam Barmann in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes last October and rallied the Jayhawks to a 20-15 victory.
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Reesing went 7-for-11 passing for 105 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed seven times for 90 yards. The victory kicked off a three-game winning streak for Kansas that made the team bowl-eligible. And, though he saw limited action the rest of the season, the effort ensured Reesing a chance to compete with Kerry Meier for the starting job last spring.
"Going into spring ball, I might not have been given the chance to compete for thestarting job (if he hadn't played against CU)," Reesing said in a phone interview with the Camera this week. "I'm one of those guys who once I'm given my chance that's all I need."
After dueling throughout the spring and the first couple weeks of fall camp, Reesing won the job from Meier, who started eight games last season.
All Reesing has done this season is guide the 13th-ranked Jayhawks to a 6-0 start that included a road victory against in-state rival Kansas State two weeks ago. He's thrown for 1,652 yards, and his 16 touchdown passes are just two shy of tying the single-season school record. He enters Saturday's game against the Buffs at Folsom Field with the 15th-best passer rating in the country.
"It's sunk in, but at the same time it still is kind of surreal," said Reesing, whose Jayhawks could go 7-0 for the first time since 1995 with a win over the Buffs on Saturday. "Every week we go in and there's more on the line.
"Obviously I'm never going to forget that game last year. But (the game against CU) this year has a little bit different implications and a little more (importance) going into it."
Listed at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Reesing doesn't have the prototypical quarterback frame that the 6-2, 220 Meier does. But KU offensive coordinator Ed Warriner said Reesing's football smarts and ability to learn quickly make up for any size disadvantage.
Warriner came to KU as offensive coordinator last spring and began shifting the offense from a more traditional scheme, with tight end sets and a commitment to the running game, to more of a spread, no-huddle system.
"The changes were more what (Reesing) was accustomed to in his high school playing days," Warriner said. "That's not why we changed it but it played into his hands a little bit (during the quarterback competition).
"So far he's proven us right and done exceptionally well."
What made Reesing such a problem for the Buffs last season was his ability to scramble. The Buffs had prepared all week for the less mobile Barmann and were thrown for a bit of a loop when the unknown Reesing entered the game and began making plays with his feet.
"We didn't really practice that all week," CU linebacker Jordon Dizon said. "He came in and picked us apart one-by-one.
"He's a double-edged sword. He's just one of those guys who can hit you both ways. You can cover the pass well and next thing you know he's running down the field for 20 yards."
Reesing made an impression on CU cornerback Terrence Wheatley as well.
"When he ran, he wasn't running like most quarterbacks," Wheatley said. "He ran like a running back almost. He doesn't really want to go down."
CU redshirt freshman safety Kyle Black — a converted quarterback transfer from Air Force — has been running the KU offense for the Buffs' scout team this week in an attempt to impersonate Reesing's style.
Although Reesing's rushed for just 131 net yards (211 gross) this season, keeping him in the pocket and making him one-dimensional is one of the Buffs' main objectives for Saturday's game.
"Not to say he doesn't have a good arm, but we think he's a lot more deadly on the ground than he is passing," Dizon said.
Posted by slantrox on October 19, 2007 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a thought, but this might come back to haunt Dizon. I do hope CU is most concerned with Reesings running and not his passing.
Posted by rodrigo on October 19, 2007 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
slant,
I think I get your point but Jocks fans don't need to worry about Dizon being ready. Say what you want about the KU sked, but the birds most definitely have not yet faced a player like JD. Check the game history: week after week for FOUR straight years he's shown up game after game after game, well prepped and motor runnin.'
dizonrocks, you got anything to add?
Posted by mtnboykev35 on October 19, 2007 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think he is right. The defense did better against OU and Bradford than Freeman and KSU...
Posted by bleedblackandgold on October 19, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was lucky enough to see OU come in and get dominated on all fronts (That's right, just look at stats from BOTH halves!), and I am certain KU has not seen a defense like CU has at Folsom. Should be a good test for KU to see if they are for real. If they can keep they're scoring up in this game, they stand a great chance of going undefeated until the Big 12 Championship game.
Posted by bleedblackandgold on October 19, 2007 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did that sound like BIG NAYSAYER 2ndFluff? Can't have any of that. Personally, I will be at the game and fully expect CU to shock KU with their physical style (Same that happened to an undefeated OU team that came in), but the score won't be as close.
CU 31 KU 14!!!!
Hope to see all you on Saturday, when we continue this year of knocking down the undefeated at Folsom!
Posted by nwbuff32 on October 19, 2007 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CU has been using a safety (who used to play QB in high school and at Air Force before he transfered) to simulate Reesings running ability. I think we are going to be well prepared. He is not the first mobile QB we have faced this year.
Posted by rodrigo on October 19, 2007 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not a fully thought-through notion, but I think the Buffs will expose KU's lack of a real running game. Yes they put up 170 on K-State, but HUGE did that all by his lonesome. And to be honest, it didn't seem that K-State played all that well in that particular game. Give KU credit, they forced turnovers and harried Freeman, but...
...to my point: if Kansas can't run with regularity and CU can conceive a scheme to pressure Reesing... well, that was the formula that resulted in CU beating - thank you bleed - OU.
Posted by Ldjbuff on October 19, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This will be a good game to watch on many fronts, KU's Off vs our Def and our Off vs KU's Def I'm also looking to see if T-Wheat will get a chance to cover A.Talib on offense, I think that matchup will be something to watch, Stopping the run vs KU is critical not so much because of the RB's but more so to control Reesing's running the ball on a draw or option.
Posted by cubuff85 on October 19, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RUN HUGH, RUN!!!! Control the clock with our running game and things will open up all over the field for us plus keep our defense refreshed. It should be a great game! GO BUFFS!
Posted by SnowBuff on October 19, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I expect a big game out of Reesing.... CU has just had very little luck with mobile QB's, and our anemic passrush will not help. However, I also expect a HUGE game out of HUGE...:). I love that nickname. I also don't see their D stopping us.
The difference? Special teams! CU 42 KU 38
Shootout at a Mile High
!
Posted by slantrox on October 19, 2007 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think most of you are remembering Reesing from last year, basically running because he didn't know what else to do after having his red shirt ripped off at halftime.
He has been mobile this year mostly in the sense that he has the ability to step out of harms way quite a bit when the pressure is on.
I'm excited to see how Dizon, Huge and T-Wheat (a KU guy has to love that nickname) will do this Saturday. These are truly 3 studs in the Big 12 and along with much improved QB play has CU looking much better this year.
I am also fairly concerned with the CU revenge factor. Not only because of the KU loss last year, but losing so many games in one year for a tradion rich program. I think Hawk has these guys playing with a fire that wasn't there last year. I don't think it was Hawks fault last year, just poor on field leadership from QB and just plane bad luck.
I see this being a tight game. I also see the Buffs playing in a nice toasty bowl game come cold and flu season.
Talk to you Monday win or lose!
Posted by rodrigo on October 19, 2007 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was trolling around other cfb sites and find it interesting how little respect KU has earned from media types and fans alike.
Hocks' fans like to point out that's largely cuz no one has seen the team play. I'm one who thinks they're better than they're getting credit for. But really, playing SE Louis is no way to get on the tube and who but a true fan would waste three hours of a fall afternoon watching KU vs. Fla. International anyway?
Posted by slantrox on October 19, 2007 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you haven't done enough homework boys.
Let's look at your schedule:
CSU...squeeked out the win didn't you! CSU is a rivalry game I will give you that....but CSU is every bit as bad as Fla Int. and we beat Fla Int. by fiddy or so. CSU has the 2nd longest losing streak in D1 next to...Fla Int.
Arizona State...after the first Qtr. I thought the Buffs were back, but then they got rolled and smoked ad nauseum.
Florida State....I watched the entire game and to this day don't remember either team scoring a single point. (Insert your own CU/Boulder doobie joke here) FSU is pedestrian at best this year.
Miami....Have you seen who they have beaten since losing to the Buffs? A MAC team that should have been on KU's schedule...I'll look to see if they are next year.
OU....All I hear is the fans on this board touting this game over and over and over and over....My God, was this the only game you have played? You have to ask yourself...where the Buffs really the better team? On that day they were! I watched....I saw lots of mistakes from the Sooner, and I am going to chalk them up to playing a tough team in a tough environment!
Baylor...Need we discuss this one other than to say that surely you aren't counting this as a road victory in a hostile environment?
KSU...Our Rivalry game...a game that CU played pretty well in until self destruction time. I know I have heard many hear say the running game got you back in the game vs. OU, well why didn't it against KSU? Oh that's right, OU has one of the best run defenses and KSU has one of the best despite 171 from HUGE. Should have been 271.
You have played one top 20 team and won...at home. We played one top 20 team and won...on the road. You get the nod for degree of dificulty but you can't continue to hang your hat on one game. CU has to win this game to stay in the race and be legit. Sad thing is that KU still won't be looked upon as having a legit win if they beat 4-3 CU.
Looks to me to be a tight game, edge to the home team!
Posted by phatmack on October 19, 2007 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
slantrox:
If it is a tight game I'll be happy! I'd love to have another on-the-edge-of-your-seat game at home this season. So much more fun than games like the Miami drubbing (on either side of the ball) but I think we can all agree on that. I'd love to see one of the cleanest games of the year as well with like, no more than 1 or 2 penalties TOTAL. That would be great. Wishful thinking maybe... but I'm holding out for a stellar performance on both sides of the ball... specifically by OUR Colorado Buffaloes.
I need to go find what my prediction was earlier in the week... a CU win of course but by how much?! =)
Posted by phatmack on October 19, 2007 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whew... found it! CU wins it 24-21. =)
Posted by nwbuff32 on October 19, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
slantrox
You are a nerd. All that writing just to have your team lose in Boulder. Not much to do where you live.
Posted by phatmack on October 19, 2007 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think he may have given CU the edge but didn't claim that they win it... am I right?
Also... slantrox, maybe you could provide some insight into your famous "Rock Chalk Jayhawk..." cheer. I read online somewhere that some professor back in the day had it changed from "Rah Rah Jayhawk..." to "Rock Chalk Jayhawk..." I have to ask, what's the deal with "Chalk"? I don't get it I guess. I don't think you guys are making a pass at your academics... or are you?
It just seems to have been pulled out of thin air... or is there some meaning behind it?
(Seems I enjoy learning about your KU traditions... last time the Jayhawks came to CU I had to ask an unlucky Kansas fan standing with the students what it meant when the entire visitor section started waving their hands around in the air like Nell on hard acid. When he explained the concept to me I'm pretty sure I laughed for a solid quarter! Good stuff right there!!!)
Posted by slantrox on October 19, 2007 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Phatmack18, At the time that the Rock Chalk Cheer began there were only two schools with chants (early cousin of the fight song I guess). KU had two professors that thought up the cheer and the school colors. The cheer comes from the Harvard Rah Rah Yell and the colors are from The Crimson of Harvard and the blue of Yale. (and of course to this day KU has so much in common with both of those schools :)
The professors changed the Rah Rah Jayhawk to Rock Chalk Jayhawk after taking a train tour through western Kansas (I'm surprised they didn't just slit there throats after witnessing all that western Kansas has to offer). Anyway, in W. Kansas there are some chalk bluffs left over from when the inland ocean receeded after the last great ice age. The aren't the 9th wonder of the world, but when you haven't seen ANYTHING from the window of the train in days and suddenly on the prairie there are these tall white chalk 'objects' they had an epiphany. As they gazed out at the Rock Chalk pyramids (as they are called in Kansas) and listening to the cadence of the wheels of the train, they started chanting Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Rock Chalk Jayhawk (I can hear you Buffs chanting along as you read this...I know you are!) Rock Chalk Jayhawk KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Obviously everybody knows that chant, but the Waving of the Wheat is one many don't get to see. It happens at the end of a KU victory and after each score in Football. Well in BBall they cut out so quick you don't see it, and in football we have sucked so bad for so long that we don't score a lot.
I will tell you this, the only thing better then singing the Rock Chalk Chant after a victory at home....is to chant it at the visitors stadium.
Now that you all know it, I want to hear it loud and proud at Folsom around 6:30 or 7:00 Saturday night!!
RCJH Go KU!
Posted by slantrox on October 19, 2007 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, you start the Rock Chalk chant when you feel victory is at hand...can be mid 4th quarter or it could start as the seconds tic away. I'm not implying anything with that mid 4th quarter comment!!
Posted by phatmack on October 19, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the history lesson slantrox! I now know more than I EVER wanted about the history and tradition of KU athletics. Seriously... way more. But I asked and you delivered so: Thanks!
However... I now squint my eyes at you and stare at you as a old west sheriff does at high noon and say:
"YOU SIR... are GRAVELY mistaken if you think ANY CU Buff will EVER cheer for the opposing team. Win or Lose. That silent exit someone referred to earlier this week? That will be YOUR Chalk Rocking Caulk Smoking Jayhawks exiting Folsom Field winded from the thin CO air and heads hanging from the realization that they let CU remove yet ONE more undefeated team from the undefeated list! MUAHAHAHAHA"
Okay... I.T.G. (Internet Tough Guy) Syndrome aside, its the weekend for me now and I must bid you all adieu. At least until Monday morning when this starts ALL over again... hopefully with one more W in the W column. It's be real KU fans... we'll talk on Monday. Enjoy the game and may the best team win! (*cough* CU *cough*)
Posted by SnowBuff on October 19, 2007 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting take on the KU traditions... yikes, that is one boring ass state.
Posted by T1 on October 19, 2007 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was all set to mock this j-hocks Fan-atic for being a bandwagon jumper but then I realised I'm feeling the exact same way about the Rockies. Still though, that just reminds me that in addition to our Buffs, we have 3 professional franchises (and the Nuggets) that have won or are on the path to world championships while kansas/nebraska has... well... corn.
Posted by snakeyman on October 19, 2007 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Slant - stay away and bring your A-game to Allbuffs.com bro.
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