FROM THE HEARTH ROOM
The Jayhawks came at the Gophers in three's last night -- Todd Reesing, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe on one side and James Holt, Mike Rivera and Joe Mortensen on the other side. One trio will return to terrorize Big 12 secondaries next year and the other cements their legacy with a dominating performance in an old-school game of tackle football. Boy, it was beautiful to watch Rivera and Mortensen playing the game the way they were meant to play -- running and smashing. Throw in Holt as Adam Weber's nightmare and it all makes Jayhawk football fans super happy. Hopefully, the NFL was watching their own network last because playing hurt all year against freak spread teams really doesn't show their strengths. Last night did and I sure hope all three at least get some attention from the NFL.

From the offensive side, the Jayhawks just have too many weapons and a chameleon-like ability to adapt. The Gophers went with throwing a ton of heat on Todd Reesing and had some success, but it didn't matter because Reesing again showed the five "d's" of minimizing a pass rush -- dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge (I assume Patches O'Houlihan was a relative). And after avoiding that rush, the gunslinger always comes out firing. Of course, Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier are a lot of fun to watch as they track down those bullets and usually turn up field for something we like to call YAC. Yep, the Gophers played hard, physical football, but the Hawks just had too many weapons.

THE GOOD
Overall, the crowd looked small, but geez, I was pretty pleased with what seemed like a lot KU fans in the stadium. Gopher fans seemed to represent pretty well also. Really, it looked there just weren't many neutral Phoenix fans there.

THE BAD
I'll have to go with starting off the Fox/NFL Network HD broadcast with closed caption in the middle of the screen. Also, the back-to-back offensive three-and-outs after the goal line stand in the second half. The first one was somewhat understandable considering starting in your own endzone, but the second sure left our defense out on the field for a long time. 

THE SWEET
It's so hard not to think about next year. Of the three north contenders, KU is the only one with a returning QB and we get the Huskers in Memorial and the Tigers at a neutral site. Again, last night was about starting 2009 off on the right foot and consider that mission accomplished. In fact, all of the bowl games (except the "title" game on January 8) have the feel of early exhibitions for the following season. Maybe they should move them to August.

WHAT'S NEXT
Signing day on February 4.

FROM ROW 15
Braggin' rights forever ended a little early. It disappeared over Kerry Meier's shoulder into the south endzone then glanced off Philip Strozier's extended hand a few plays later. Braggin' rights forever? C'mon, it's the war. It doesn't matter if you're playing for the national title in front of 80,000 or both teams come in 0-11. The only thing that matters is scoreboard and KU has it for this particular 365 day period.

THE GOOD
Jake Laptad gets the safety. That's when I knew. After two years of watching Chase Daniel stand back and pick us apart with no harrassment, I knew when he went down in the same endzone that Missouri snagged Todd Reesing to end the 2007 game. Irony, I love it.

BONUS GOOD
The end-game duel between Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing. It sure was nice to see Reesing win this one, especially with one of his typical avoid the rush plays. You know the one where he locates "Old Reliable" at the last minute. With the timeout prior, you have a lot of time to think about that one as a fan. My thought line was something along the following line. In situations like this you sometimes see the type of play that you remember forever. And we did.

THE BAD
Probably shouldn't even mention it as the defense set this up by playing three-and-a-half quarters with absolute guts. You could see that they had everything in this one because they were out of gas at the end and the tackling suffered ... or maybe the Tigers slicked up their jerseys with Vaseline or something. Again though, no criticism because they set up Todd Reesing for a final duel and their faith in the snake wrangler from Texas paid off.

THE SWEET
Guess who won't be here next year? Yep, #10 in yellow is gone. So is #45. And in my opininion, Jeremy Maclin is absolutely ready for the NFL. Why chance injury next year while a new QB learns the ropes? On the flip side, I'll be looking forward to watching Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier, Jake Sharp, Darrell Stuckey, Jake Laptad, Max O and many more return to Arrowhead for the 2009 game.

WHAT'S NEXT
Well, we'll root against Mizzou on Saturday and wait for our official bid to the Insight Bowl next Sunday. Looks like we'll get Minnesota and I certainly like a Big 10 matchup. In the meantime, it's time to start up the campaign for dragging KU fans out to Arrowhead for the 2009 game. Hey, it's a four-year deal now and we know all of the negatives, but we're locked in. Plus, the Kansas players voted with their play on Saturday and delivered a victory to remember. Now, it's time for KU fan to step up and claim your side of the stadium. We're on the cusp now as a program and though we've improved our football fan base quite a bit, it's time to take it to the next level. It's time to toughen up and be a factor in every game. Forget the campus atmosphere and game day revenue for Lawrence merchants -- the number one reason KU fans are skipping the Arrowhead Border War is they don't like interacting with MU fans. No, it's not pleasant, but maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. It's a war on the field and the players have to go earn it. Maybe, KU fan needs to earn it in the stands as well -- cheer your team, set an unwavering example of good sportsmanship and maybe see something special.

Defeat and Hope

FROM ROW 46/STUDENT SECTION
It was a game I never could have imagined. The defense went to war against an explosive Texas offense and gave the Jayhawk offense multiple opportunities to get into the game. It was not to be as the Longhorn defense was up for the challenge of shutting down Todd Reesing and company. Admittedly, I saw Reesing as frustrated as he has been, but I think some of the mention of his inaccuracy is not so warranted -- I mean, wind was a factor and on the other side it really seems like Colt McCoy did most of his damage on the ground (well that and some timely pass interference calls). The fact that Colt had to scramble because receivers were covered is a sort of reason to celebrate.

Overall though, having a more talented team come in and slowly grind down the Jayhawks on Senior Day was a bitter pill to swallow. The only way I can spin it is I felt like the seniors gave it their all and I'm good with what these guys accomplished. Rival fans and the media will try to categorize their greatest achievement as a fluke, but for those that have watched the program for virtually every down of the Mangino era and Terry Allen era, we know this was a good group of hard-nosed football players that took advantage of every opportunity they had and advanced the program (despite losing two of the biggest stars to the NFL). Yes, we could use a little more Texas-style football talent, but that's on the way -- the 2008 and 2009 classes are the highest rated classes we've seen. Sure the up and down nature of KU football is tough to take, but another up is just around the corner and if a down is heading to the Insight Bowl for a matchup with a Big 10 team, I'll take that.

THE GOOD
You start with the defense. Other than consistent difficulty with linebackers covering in the flat this was the kind of defensive performance that would have netted wins against Nebraska and USF and obviously provides legitimate optimism for the next two games. I haven't watched the tape yet, but I don't remember Daymond Patterson getting beat too often. If this guy is a legitimate corner, that's a nice foundation as I like Justin Thornton as a big corner on the other side (despite his trouble defending the inside slant in this game).

On the offensive front, I'll get criticized for this, but I think Angus Quigley doing damage to the second level of the Texas defense is huge (I'll get into the fumbles later). To me that is the Brandon McAnderson formula that we've lacked all year. It's like a boxing match -- you've got to be hitting those linebackers and defensive backs to soften them up. Also, from the backfield, Jocques Crawford showed me quite a bit of fire in his action after Quigley was yanked for the fumbles. It was mostly fourth quarter play, but it was encouraging to see him play hard at that time of the game.

THE BAD
I mentioned this prior to the season -- Ed Warriner was going to have to modify the scheme because an offseason of study by teams with talent meant that defenses would know the weaknesses of our offense inside and out. Developing two new tackles was a factor, plus the physical factor that B-Mac brought (mentioned above) and sure the defense was the usual culprit for the close losses, but the status quo on the offensive scheme resulted in the offense not getting the job done when they absolutely had to against teams like OU, Tech, Nebraska and UT. That is by no means a vote of no confidence for Warriner, it just means he needs to accelerate the evolution. Innovate or die. Know it, learn it, live it.

THE UGLY
1) I'm probably misreading the situation, but the excessive extended celebration by #32 on the hit that put Kerry Meier on the turf at the end of the first half seemed pretty unsportsmanlike. Please correct me if I have that wrong. Nothing wrong with celebrating a big hit, but generally when a player is hurt you show a little respect. Maybe posting the video of the Quigley hit on Blake Gideon is a little of the same, but I really just wanted to show how effective AQ can be in the defensive secondary. We don't ever want to see a player injured for any team and I certainly hope Gideon is okay.
2) More on AQ. As I said, I love the physical play Quigley brings, but you've got to get fumbles under control. This is so painful. I really want him out there doing damage, but it cannot be if he keeps dropping the ball. Perhaps so more reps in the non-con would have helped.
3) The students are what make the games fun and they are packing themselves in so tight that it is difficult for them to fill in the corner. Plus, the students bring the noise. Still, the rate of attrition after halftime is worth noting. Yeah, a lot of people head out early, but that section empties out at an incredible pace compared to the alumns in the next section over. The good news is I went over and watched the fourth quarter from some awesome seats in that abandoned area.

WHAT'S NEXT
One last shot at Chase Daniel. They're going to get the North trophy after the Arrowhead game but we can take the celebration. It'll be interesting to see what our defense thinks of Mizzou after taking on the trio of Tech, OU and UT.

Opportunity Wasted!

FROM THE HEARTH ROOM
You take the best team in KU football history and return nine of 11 starters on defense and the best quarterback in school history with the greatest arsenal of wideouts I've seen in blue. You go into battle in possibly the weakest BCS division in the nation with a middleweight frontrunner one-trick pony that happens to be your most hated rival. And now, by losing to a year-one Bo Pelini Nebraska program that bottomed out last season, you've created a scenario where beating Texas and the bumblebee freaks from Columbia still nets a division title and another trip to the Big 12 Championship for the black and yellow. It's in Kansas City, so they might as well bring their fire engine, cannon, white rocks and stuffed animal parade. Unless Nebraska actually throws a game against KSU or Colorado, the University of Kansas football program will have allowed Missouri to claim division titles in back-to-back years when they were the one team that could have prevented it.

Let me speak for the Jayhawk Football Nation ... and I'm talking about the real Jayhawk Football Nation -- blue warriors that were at the game in Columbia in 1996 when Glen Mason and the team did a no-show or Senior Day vs North Texas or any of the occasions when KSU hung 60 plus on the Jayhawks in Lawrence. For those fans, let me just say, "we are disgusted."

PLUS
It could be a benefit for recruiting. Playing time available at the d-line, o-line and linebacker positions ... and of course, the help wanted sign is always hanging out for the secondary. Prinz Kande -- we love you.

MINUS
I may have already detailed the one big minus in the hearth room section above, but there's more.

1) Phil Steele was right, right, right, right and I really wanted to the Jayhawks to take his preseason mag and shred it.
2) Can't play in the heat, can't play in the cold. Body language said it all in the first half.
3) 1968 lives on.

WORLD VIEW
KU's football program is still a year-to-year yo-yo as it has been for almost a century. Still, if a down year is a low-level bowl and playing in November for a division title, then we are moving forward. Recruiting continues to improve so we'll see what the future Jayhawks can do as that young talent develops. Keep sawin' wood.

FROM ROW 46
Boom! Mr. November got off to another big-time start. October has always been a trouble spot for Mark Mangino, but usually by November the Fighting Manginos start to jell. Yesterday, they jelled all over KSU 52-17 at Memorial and the Hawks showed me the passion and fire that we've all been waiting to see all year. Unleashing that storm on the Wildcats, will always score points with me and the rest of the Jayhawk Nation. 

PLUS
Oh my ... there are a lot of positives from this one -- bowl eligibility, Mangino continuing to re-write history (four consecutive six or more win seasons was last accomplished in 1902-1906), the cornerback switch appears to be valid, the o-line can handle a middleweight Big 12 team, the d-line can devastate a middleweight Big 12 team, Jake Sharp is running fast, hard and smart and Jocques Crawford (minus the backfield freeze juke that got him yanked) and Angus Quigley are rolling up yards as well, Todd "I'm over here, no I'm over here" Reesing* didn't have to do it all himself, plus two words I've always like to put together -- "James" and "Holt" .... and finally we're going to Lincoln to play a game that means a lot more than just erasing 1968 -- the college football playoffs are here now!

MINUS
A combination of the point system and the Jayhawk Walk are killing the concept of a hostile atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. I think everyone understands the effect the Jayhawk Walk, but I think this is a far more critical factor than some obscene student (by the way, congrats on finally correcting that by using the obvious method). The game crew needs to figure out a way to keep the fans around until the fourth quarter. Maybe the Blades paper airplane toss? Award the students with a kegstand contest at the end of the game?

The point system re-seats fans every year and with the randomization you have pockets of rabid fans interspersed with senior citizens offended by noise and standing. It's hard to create environment when you can't get your whole section rolling. Two guys standing up in the middle of a bingo section and screaming themselves hoarse just ain't gettin' it. In the old days, sections of fans knew each other. You were able to gravitate to like-minded fans and once you had your section and seats you liked -- you held on to them. Ditch points for seat-selection and only reseat people that want to move. For football, donations and points are for parking.

WORLD VIEW
A big thing in college football is winning the games you can win and take your shots in the big games. We probably dropped one we shouldn't have at USF, but the Jayhawks took their best shot against Oklahoma. Texas Tech was the better team and in the Big 12 world of high-octane offenses the score can lean toward the ridiculous within a quick span. Basically, taking the emotion out of the score tallies, KU is on schedule at this point and going to Lincoln for a survive and advance game in the North division race. That's all that matters, but you certainly also like the fact that a certain north power seems to be losing it's edge.

TAKE A BITE
I give the KU performance the same two-word review that Spinal Tap received for their Shark Sandwich LP in 1980.

PLUS
Well, I guess that the Red Raiders didn't hit 80 as I expected after watching the first two Tech series.

MINUS
I don't see a long-term, medium term or short term solution for our pass D problems that really have pretty much been around for most of the decade. There appears to be no way to scheme your way toward success against the polished spread teams. It looks like you just have to have the better athletes and they better be dialed into their assignments.

WORLD VIEW
I guess we start from the ground up with what looks to be a real battle with KSU next week.

FROM THE HEARTH ROOM
This was one of the more compelling chess matches I've watched in a while. Of course, Bob Stoops started with a few more pieces on the board, but it was still impressive the way they set up the KU defense. Once you saw OU running the ball, you knew we'd have to play straight up and that's a pretty good challenge against a talented squad like the Sooners. Essentially, after halftime, OU made the right adjustments and leaned on an overmatched KU outfit. Clearly, OU is a cut above at this point in the season, but the separation isn't quite as wide as the real score of 45-24 would indicate. The usual issue of pass rush versus secondary coverage was in plain site for all of the world to see, but there are two things that I feel were unacceptable yesterday:

1) Tackling at the line of scrimmage. Definitely an issue of playing against talented athletes and later on fatigue, but you played the gaps right most of the game but failed to bring down the ball carrier. That opened up the playbook for a dangerous offense.

2) The wideouts failiure to get separation from the OU DBs in the second half isn't a positive trend. I saw some of that in the USF game as well.

PLUS
If you can bury this game and maybe beat up a Red Raider Pinata (from Mack Brown's Pinata website) to get fired up for a homecoming win over Texas Tech, the path to the Big 12 championship is clear. Mizzou is not as bad as they've looked the last two weeks, but our schedule is going to have us fully prepared for that matchup.

MINUS
I guess the jury is still out on whether or not we can play at the "A-level" in college football with our talent set on the defensive side of the ball. They're not that far off, but we'll have to wait to see if the Jayhawk D learned anything from playing the best this Saturday. Fortunately, we have some top level talent headed into Lawrence over the next month that will give us the opportunity to see if this crew can step forward.

WORLD VIEW
We're 0-2 in big games this year, but they were both roadies. As a complete homer, I felt like we could get a winning record in the five mega-games this season (USF, OU, Tech, UT, MU). At this point, I'm sweating it a bit. Sure the toughest one is out of the way, but I don't like the 0-2 start as we all really wanted to silence the critics. We're off the radar now, so I guess the thing to do is take that and utilize it as the positive that it can be.

“The play was 16 yards out and I wasn’t expecting a safety on that play. I just fired out and I wasn’t expecting to get past the running back who was trying to block me inside. For some reason the quarterback tried to get to the outside and Max (o) was pressuring from the backside, and I got a safety.”
--Jake Laptad, on the safety

From Row 46

Can you feel it? There's opportunity in the air. With a workman-like effort against Colorado to take a 30-14 home win, the Jayhawks find themselves with a full-game lead in the North Division race. Now, the Kansas football team heads to Norman, Oklahoma for another "game they just can't win."

Hey, it feels like October 2007 all over again. Well, maybe the Jayhawks aren't clicking in all three sectors yet, but yesterday's defense sure looked a lot like the 2007 unit. Yeah, they allowed two TDs, but those came on drives of 28 and 41 yards. Otherwise, the defense looked solid all day long and we now appear to have a valid pass rush. With two tackles and a sack and a half, Jake Laptad is another step closer to being considered a threat. Let the dogs loose.

At times Rodney Stewart gave KU some problems but they adjusted and kept him under control. For the most part, the secondary provided good coverage and even on passes allowed rarely were the DBs too far out of position. The targeted Kendrick Harper quite a bit, and he allowed some passes but battled back. Overall, it was a step forward on the defensive side of the ball for KU.

The Cornishization of Jake Sharp
It was good to see Jake Sharp collect 118 yards, but I'm still not sure that trying to turn him into Jon Cornish is the right way to go. The two back system has worked pretty well in most of the seasons that Mark Mangino has been here. It was a good performance, but the 3.8 ypc is not where I think we need to be. Maybe I'm being too critical as the Buffs do have a solid run defense and this was the best rushing performance of the season. Overall, the offense looked better as the game progressed. Considering Todd Reesing's quotes, it's clear the long fields early on are starting to bother the unit.

Special Teams
Yeah, it's time to put in more starters. The quest for someone that can catch a punt continues (it is 2007!). Dexton had a nice return, but I think both he and Daymond struggled to judge the ball in the wind.

Worst performance by an actor in a leading role
Mark Mangino for his plea to the students. Of course, I think it starts with script problems, but he didn't appear comfortable reading from cards far to the right of the camera. I would suggest an alternative ending -- "Students, you don't have to yell rip his (expletive) head off, because I'm going to get more starters in this week and I promise you that we'll rip his (expletive) head off. Some things are just better left unsaid."

The Highway Crew Tears It Up in Columbia
But I thought Oklahoma State wasn't any good. Isn't that one of the "cupcake" teams that KU had to play last year?

DJ watching the game

“Worst collective half of football since I've been here.”
--Todd Reesing

From the Living Room DVR

I believe our quarterback is referring to the first half in the quote above. And remember, Todd was here to witness the second half of the 2006 Oklahoma State game, so he's witnessed some bad football. I'm inclined to agree and right now I think I'm as confused as I ever been. I'm not surprised that the offense was able to cover a 20-point deficit in relatively short time. I'm even used to the KU offense going brain dead for back-to-back series or a quarter here and there, but this was an impressive thirty minutes of rest time that Jayhawks took in the first half. A lot of teams have played five games at this point in the season. By taking quarters off on occasion and a full half against ISU, I'd say the KU offense is the most rested unit in the nation. My estimate would be that they've played roughly 3.25 games to date. Possibly, they're just trying to make it a little more interesting like when you let the X-Box build up a 30-point lead to see if you can come back.

Still, I shouldn't be hard on this team as road trips to Ames are generally like this. Todd Reesing witnessed an aberration during his last trip to Jack Trice when KU had a rare 41-10 blow out on the Cyclones home field. As the great philosopher Luke Skywalker once said, "Overconfidence is your weakness."

For ISU road games, KU fans are more accustomed to the 13-7 freakshow loss we witnessed in 2004 or the 50-47 torture-fest from 1992. For future reference, it doesn't matter if they put a knitting club in yellow and red uniforms, you better be ready to play on down number one when you go to Ames.

And on Defense 

If I'm an NFL scout, I have got to go find James McClinton and sign him to a contract immediately. It's clear now that McClinton and Aqib Talib were the two best defensive players in the history of college football. There is just no way a defense can regress this much with the loss of two players. Again, it's feels wrong to bash the defense when they were able to force a pair of field goals in the first half while playing nearly the entire half. Plus, they just dominated the third quarter. Unfortunately, KU's dirty little secret was blatantly on display. The best place to play KU is from behind -- when you have to pass every down. Clint Bowen will not blitz on your half of the field with the lead. So, you can get nice and warmed up as an opposing QB in the fourth quarter. You'll have all day to throw against the first down three-man rush. By the time he starts blitzing when you've reached the KU 35-yard line, you should be nice and warmed up.

Note to Big 12 quarterbacks* -- invite NFL scouts to visit during the second half of your date with Jayhawks.

In Conclusion

Okay, each unit played roughly 30 minutes each and we still won a road game in Ames after falling into a 20-point chasm. Considering the 17-7 Oklahoma affair last year in Ames, I think I might consider possibly thinking about being okay with that. I would also like to request that the team go back to playing three quarters per game and at least move for a referendum on playing a full four quarters in Norman.

The Randoms

• I have to admit -- there were a few times during that game that I thought we might not win 
  
• Well, we finally saw a running game, but I wonder when we'll see Jocques Crawford again.
• When I said there was a likely Big 12 upset on deck for Saturday, I really wasn't intending for it to be us.
• I don't know if Kerry Meier is right- or left-handed, but if he is a righty, do you know how hard it is to catch a ball over the head on your right shoulder? This guy is an awesome wide receiver -- definitely the best KU wideout I've seen since Isaac Byrd.
• Great game for Jake Sharp. A welcome addition to the season 
• Not a bad start for Dexton Fields -- I really wanted him to get to the endzone on that play 
• Mike Rivera played like the man that I remember 
• 1-0 in conference -- that's all that matters  

 *Does not apply to Chase Daniel or Graham Harrell.

“I don't think there was anything that was remarkable about our play tonight.  I think we got a win, which is a key thing, but we still have areas that we must improve in before Big 12 Conference play.”
--Mark Mangino

From Row 46

I walked into the game about 12 minutes before kickoff. The bowl was probably 95% full of red and blue at that point. Amazing. Probably the highlight of the game. Well, maybe the Todd Reesing magic trick TD pass to Dezmon Briscoe was the true game highlight; however, I'm not even sure I want to talk about the game. How can you complain about a 38-14 win, though? It's probably wrong, but a lot of people are doing it.

The game was never out of control, but yes, Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar looked fairly comfortable in passing for 340 yards (not to mention much-improved since I last saw him in '05). Jake Laptad and Richard Johnson Jr. had a few moments on the pass rush, but the Jayhawks didn't really threaten Bomar too much.

On the other side of the ball, the running game opened up strong in the first quarter with Angus Quigley, but the Bearkats adjusted and slowed us down there for most of the game (Quigley 16-61 yds, 3.8 ave, 1 TD). All three running backs looked like they played with fire to me, but the offensive line is not getting it done. There is no excuse for not being able to pick up a couple of inches on a QB sneak. We expected a learning curve at the edges, but the interior should be picking up the slack.

What can you say about the defense? We lost two starters from 2007. We can't replace that? There is no question in my mind that this defense should be better than the 2007 edition. Four games in this should be a non-issue. The season is slipping away boys, when are you going to come to the table with fire? Eight games left seniors -- you better make your mark.

The Randoms

• Kerry Meier. 8 catches, 136 yards, 1 touchdown. 
  
• We finally saw a glimpse of what Jocques Crawford can be. All of the KU fans saw it when he turned on the speed after catching a shuttle pass up the middle that resulted in 29 yard gain
• Speaking of the shuttle pass. Seems like it is coming back in fashion again here at KU. Perhaps a little too in fashion. 
  
• Family Zone versus the Students. Church vs Getting Drunk. Early third quarter estimated retention rate -- Family Zone 95%, Students 80%. Early fourth quarter -- Zone 85%, Students 30% 
• I'm starting to lose a little bit of confidence in a TV appearance for the ISU game. Four slots are available with A&M @ OSU, OU @ Baylor, UT @ CU, MU @ NU, Tech @ KSU plus our game on deck. Bold games are probable in my opinion. Close call on the others. Hopefully, Todd Reesing is the draw for the networks.