Jayhawks Romp Toledo 45-13
LAWRENCE, KAN. – A stingy Kansas (3-0, 0-0) defense and four Todd Reesing touchdown passes propelled the Jayhawks to a 45-13 romp over Toledo (0-3, 0-1) in front of 48,114 fans at Memorial Stadium. The KU defense, which has allowed just 251 yards on the season, gave up points for the first time in more than 103 minutes of play, but still managed to lead KU to its third straight victory to open the 2008 campaign.
The Jayhawks allowed just 77 Toledo passing yards, while coralling three interceptions. The defense has now given up just 20 points over its first three games. Senior James McClinton led Kansas with nine tackles.
Senior running back Brandon McAnderson opened the second-half scoring for the Jayhawks scampering 26-yards for a touchdown to make the score 31-7. The 52-yard drive was set up by junior cornerback Aqib Talib’s first interception of the year, followed by a 17-yard return to the Kansas 48-yardline.
McAnderson was able to add another score less than three minutes later when he rushed for a three-yard touchdown, giving the Jayhawks a 38-7 advantage. The score followed a spectacular interception by defensive end John Larson. The interception marks Larson’s first career interception.
The Jayhawks added a third touchdown of the third quarter when Reesing threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior Dexton Fields with 1:45 remaining in the stanza to give Kansas a 45-7 edge. The touchdown gives Fields two TD’s on the season.
Reesing finished the game with 313 yards on 16-35 passing. Reesing’s 313 yards mark his third-straight game of at least 250 yards passing and he now has 10 touchdown passes on the year.
Kansas carried a 24-7 halftime advantage after Reesing tossed his third touchdown of the first half when he hooked up with freshman Dezmon Briscoe on a 26-yard strike with 0:41 left in the half. Briscoe hauled in three catches in his first-career start.
Talib, scored a receiving touchdown in his fourth consecutive game dating back to last year, when he connected with Reesing on a 58-yard touchdown to give the Jayhawks a 10-0 advantage as the first quarter’s time expired. The catch marks his longest career reception.
Reesing then connected on another touchdown with Marcus Henry to make the score 17-0 with 11:27 remaining in the first half. Henry, who tallied 133 yards on seven catches, put together his third straight game of 100 or more yards receiving. His streak ties an all-time Kansas record for consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
The Rockets were able to answer on a 21-yard touchdown catch by quarterback Aaron Opelt, following a Raimond Pendleton fumble on a punt return, to make the score 17-7 with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter.
Scott Webb got the Jayhawks on the board with a 25-yard field goal with 6:01 remaining in the first quarter. The drive that spanned 81 yards on 15 plays was highlighted by three Jake Sharp runs of 11 or more yards. Sharp finished the game with 127 yards on 13 carries.
The Jayhawks will attempt to start the season 4-0 when they host Florida International (0-3, 0-0) next Saturday at 6 p.m.
