Blue Defeats White, 17-3, in Football Spring Game
April 14, 2008
2008 Kansas Spring Game Statistics
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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas football team returned to the field Monday night for its annual spring game. Approximately 10,000 Jayhawk fans witnessed the 17-3 Blue victory over the White. The defense dominated on both sides of the ball, allowing only one offensive touchdown and forcing four turnovers.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The game was tied at three, when the Blue’s Kendrick Harper picked up sophomore Carmon Boyd-Anderson’s fumble and ran it back 23 yards for the game’s first touchdown with 35 seconds left in the first half. At the end of the first half, the Blue led the White, 10-3.
“I thought we got some things accomplished today,” head coach Mark Mangino said after the game. “There are some young guys who have put themselves in a position to win a starting job, which is what you want to see.”
At halftime, Mangino was presented the Sporting News 2007 National Coach of the Year trophy by the Sporting News’ Tom Dienhart. He also received the Bear Bryant 2007 National Coach of the Year ring from Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins.
After a scoreless third quarter, junior quarterback Todd Reesing produced the game’s first offensive touchdown by hitting Dexton Fields on an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Blue a 17-3 lead.
Reesing threw for 227 yards on 23-of-43 attempts, with two interceptions and one touchdown, while fellow junior quarterback/wide receiver Kerry Meier finished the day 13-of-18 for 69 yards. Meier also caught four passes for 40 yards.
Junior running back Jake Sharp led the Blue team on the ground with 40 yards rushing on 10 carries. Junior running back Angus Quigley netted 58 yards on 13 carries, while seeing action for both the Blue and White teams.
Sophomore wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe caught eight passes for 92 yards to lead each team in receiving. In all, 14 players caught passes in the game.
Junior linebacker Arist Wright led both teams with 10 tackles, while senior Mike Rivera led the Blue team with eight tackles, including two-and-a-half for loss. Senior Russell Brorsen also had a good scrimmage as he recorded three tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The Jayhawks open the 2008 football season against Florida International on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium. KU will play seven home games in 2008, including tilts against Big 12 foes Colorado, Kansas State, Texas and Texas Tech. Kansas will once again conclude its regular season against Border Showdown rival Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 29.
