Todd Reesing Named KU's Starting Quarterback
Aug. 18, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Two weeks before the <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas football season opener, head coach Mark Mangino has named Todd Reesing as the team’s starting quarterback. Reesing and Kerry Meier have been in a battle for the spot since the end of last season. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Reesing, a sophomore from Austin, Texas, played in three games last year as a true freshman. He made his collegiate debut against Colorado in the team’s ninth game of the year. He came off the bench in the third quarter and completed seven of 11 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns as the Jayhawks rallied for a 20-15 victory after trailing 9-0.
“We are going with Todd Reesing,” Mangino announced on Saturday. “He has done everything we have asked of him in this offense. He came here ready to go in two-a-days and has really got a good command of the offense. He is throwing the ball extremely well. He has shown good discipline in the pocket in getting his reads.”
Reesing finished 2006 with additional action against IowaState and Missouri. He hit three of five attempts for 35 yards and a score against ISU, while completing four of eight attempts for 63 yards in the season finale against the Tigers.
In addition to completing 14 of 24 attempts for 304 yards in three games, he also rushed 13 times for 106 yards.
Meier, also a sophomore, started eight games a year ago and threw for 1,193 yards, just 22 yards shy of the school freshman record. He hit 56.5 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 13 touchdowns. He also rushed 99 times for 346 yards and five more scores.
“Just because Todd has been named the starter doesn’t mean we don’t have the utmost confidence in Kerry,” Mangino said. “Kerry is a tremendous athlete. He is a great kid. He works hard. He comes here everyday ready to go and is a good team guy. Kerry is a guy who is an important part of this program.”
The Jayhawks had a “normal” practice according to Mangino on Saturday with about 20-25 minutes of scrimmaging.
“At this point and time I like to think we are on track,” the head coach said. “We still have some things we have to work out. There are still some positions that are up for competition, but the competition is at a high level and that is what we like about it.
“We have two weeks of work to do, but I feel good about the progress in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams).”
Kansas will open its season hosting defending MAC Champion Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. Season, single-game and flex-pack tickets are currently on sale. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Allen Fieldhouse Ticket Office, by phone at (800) 34-HAWKS or online at www.kuathletics.com.
