No. 20 Kansas Continues To Roll With 58-10 Win Over Baylor
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing threw two touchdown passes, while sophomore Jake Sharp gained 110 yards on 18 carries as 20th-ranked Kansas improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1995 with a 58-10 rout of Baylor Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Jayhawks improve to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play, marking the first time KU has won its first two conference games since 1997. Baylor drops to 3-4 and 0-3 in Big 12 games.
After a one hour and 38 minute delay due to lightning, the game finally kicked off around 1:13 p.m.
Kansas struck first behind a 27-yard field goal by Scott Webb. The scoring drive was setup by a Derek Fine recovery of a muffed Baylor punt at the Baylor 36 yard line. Sophomore Todd Reesing completed two passes to Kerry Meier for 20 yards on the scoring drive.
Baylor answered on its next possession with an 11-play, 50-yard drive. The scoring drive was capped by a 25-yard field goal by Caleb Allen to tie the game at three.
On the ensuing kickoff, Kansas junior Marcus Herford returned the ball 88 yards for a touchdown. It was Herford’s second kickoff return for a touchdown this season giving Kansas the lead 10-3 with 4:06 remaining in the opening stanza. Following the extra point, more lightening forced another weather delay.
The Bears were never the same. After the second delay, KU outscored the visitors 48-7, with Baylor’s only score coming on a 97-yard kickoff return.
The Jayhawk offense found the end zone again early in the second quarter when Reesing hit freshman Dezmon Briscoe with a 10-yard completion. Sharp led Kansas on the nine play, 81 yard scoring drive with 42 rushing yards.
Kansas tacked on two more touchdowns in the second quarter to gain a 31-3 halftime lead. Sharp’s four-yard touchdown run capped a four play, 30 yard drive to give the `Hawks a three touchdown advantage with 1:30 left in the second quarter. The touchdown was Sharp’s sixth of the season.
Freshman cornerback Chris Harris intercepted Baylor quarterback Blake Szymanski on the Bear’s next possession to setup Brandon McAnderson’s 15-yard touchdown run. It was Harris’ first career interception. McAnderson was one of four Jayhawk running backs to score a rushing touchdown in the game.
Defensively, Kansas forced four interceptions, making it the fourth straight game KU has intercepted at least two passes. The defense held Baylor to 201 yards, its lowest total of the season.
Kansas opened scoring in the second half behind a 54-yard touchdown pass from Reesing to Marcus Henry. Henry’s third score of the season gave KU a 38-3 advantage. It was the Kansas’ third longest play from scrimmage this year.
Following a 34 yard field goal by Webb, Baylor’s David Gettis returned the kickoff 97 yards for a Bear touchdown to make the score 41-10 with 1:49 remaining in the third quarter.
Quigley added one more touchdown in the closing seconds as KU put up 58 points.
Kansas collected 26 first downs in the game, compared to just 10 by the Bears. KU also out-gained Baylor, 447-202, including 236-48 on the ground.
Tight end Derek Fine led the KU receiving corps with four catches for 36 yards. The senior was one of eight different receivers to catch passes from KU’s tandem of quarterbacks.
The Jayhawks will travel to Colorado next Saturday for a Big 12 contest against the Buffaloes. Game time as well as television coverage will be announced by Monday morning.
Kansas’ win against Baylor…
…Gives Kansas a six-game winning streak for the longest such streak since winning seven straight in 1995.
…Makes KU 6-0 to start the season for the first time since the 1995 team was 7-0.
…Gives Kansas a 2-0 conference start for the first time since 1997.
…Is Kansas’ ninth win in its last 10 games dating back to last year.
…Improves KU to 10-5 in its first game after being ranked in the Associated Press poll all time.
…Makes Kansas “bowl eligible” for the third straight season, the first time to have six win in three straight years since 1960-62.
…Gives KU seven straight home wins dating back to last year.
…Improves Kansas to 16-2 in home games since the start of the 2005 season.
…Makes head coach Mark Mangino 31-35 as a head coach.
…Makes Kansas 548-537-58 all time.
Notes
–The original start delay was one hour, 38 minutes.
–The official time on the first-quarter rain delay was 30 minutes.
–Kansas’ 58 points were the most it has ever scored in a conference game.
KU Conference Games of 50+
1. 58 vs. Baylor, 10-13-07
2. 55 vs. Kansas State, 1947
3. 53 vs. Missouri, 1991
53 vs. Iowa State, 1951
5. 50 vs. Iowa State, 1992
–KU has produced 400-plus yards of total offense in every game this season.
–Kansas entered the day leading the Big 12, third nationally, total defense yielding 247.9 yards per game. Baylor ended the afternoon with 202 yards total offense.
–KU entered the day leading the Big 12, third nationally, in scoring defense at 9.4 points per game.
–Baylor gained 48 yards rushing. KU entered the game 14th nationally, second in the Big 12, allowing 86.4 yards.
–Today marked the second straight week Kansas has recorded three or more interceptions. It is KU’s fourth straight game with two or more INTs.
–Kansas’ 21 points scored in the second quarter marked the fifth time this season the Jayhawks have scored 20 or more points in a quarter. Prior to 2007, KU only 20 or more points in one quarter two times in the last two seasons.
–Today’s attendance of 43,556 marked the 15th time in the last 16 home games the Jayhawks have drawn 40,000-plus in attendance, including all five games this season.
–Senior Scott Webb moved into third on the Kansas career scoring list with 244 points. He passed Bruce Kallmeyer who had 233 points from 1980-83.
–Webb has made a field goal in eight consecutive games and 11 of the last 12.
–Junior Marcus Herford’s 88-yard kick return for a touchdown was the second of the season, which ties a Big 12 record (Ben Kelly, Colorado in 1999 and Robert Quioga, Baylor in 2003). Herford had a 74-yarder against Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 8). The two TD kick returns is believed to be a KU record for a season according to information available in the press box. Since 1972 no KU team had had two KOR for TDs in a season.
–Herford’s 88-yard return ties his own mark for 10th longest on the KU all-time. His previous 88-yarder was last season against Northwestern State (9-2-06).
–Herford’s 145 kick return yards are fifth most in a game at KU.
–Hereford (1,128) moved into second on the KU career kick returns yards. He passed Maurice Douglas who had 1,077 yards from 1988-89.
–Sophomore Todd Reesing moved into 13th on the KU single-season passing list, currently at 1,652.
–Reesing has 16 touchdown passes this season which moved him into second on the school’s single-season list, two shy of first by Bill Whittemore (18) in 2003.
–Sophomore Jake Sharp had a career-high 18 carries. His 110 rushing yards marked his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
–Senior Marcus Henry’s 54-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter was KU’s second 50-plus yard TD reception of the year and the third 50-plus pass play of the season. It was also KU’s third longest play from scrimmage in 2007.
–Henry has three touchdowns of 40-plus yards this season.
–Junior Dexton Fields has caught at least two passes in 17 consecutive games.
–Senior Brandon McAnderson scored his seventh touchdown of the season in the second quarter. Of his seven TD rushes, three have been 15 or more yards.
–Senior TE Derek Fine moved into 20th on the school’s all-time career receptions list, currently at 76.
–Fine has caught at least four passes in each of the last three games and four contests this season.
–Freshman WR Dezmon Briscoe’s touchdown catch in the second quarter was his fourth of the season.
–Sophomore Justin Thornton intercepted his second pass of the season on the final play of the first quarter. Thornton also had an INT against Florida International.
–Freshman Chris Harris recorded his first interception.
–Senior Sadiq Muhammed registered his first interception of the season and second of his career.
–Sophomore Angus Quigley saw his first action of the season.
–Sophomore Kerry Meier’s 16-yard reception in the first half marked the third game in a row he has had a catch of 15 or more yards. His two receptions were a season high for a game.
–Senior OL Cesar Rodriguez started a team best 35th game (21st straight). Senior James McClinton started a team-best 26th consecutive game (28th overall).
Kansas Quotes
Sophomore Running Back Jake Sharp
On staying focused after the delays:
“Pretty much everything we do in the off season is focused on mental toughness and things like that, so (the delays) were not really a problem for us. We are a tough football team and we take a lot of pride in that.”
On what the team did during the delays:
“We took naps and listened to our iPods. We just kind of relaxed. Todd Reesing and I kind of messed around a little bit and played some tic-tac-toe. I won.”
His thoughts on the game:
“I think we did pretty well, but we still have a lot of things we can build on. We are certainly not a finished product. I think the offensive line blocked great and I think Todd (Reesing) was great making his reads and things like that. Brandon (McAnderson), Angus (Quigley) and I were able to read the blocks and make the most of our runs.”
On becoming bowl eligible:
“Well we had six wins last year and we didn’t make a bowl. So we certainly aren’t going to count on just six wins to make us bowl eligible.”
On playing Colorado next week:
“It will be another test for us, as is every week. The Buffaloes have a great football team and we are excited to go down there and play on their home turf. We hope to put another great performance on the field.”
Safety Justin Thornton
On how he dealt with the delays:
“It was frustrating at first. We all just kind of relaxed and lay down. A lot of us listened to music on our iPods. It was definitely frustrating at first, but we all stayed in and kept our heads right and kept our mind on the game and it turned out good.”
On the team being 6-0:
“It is definitely a great feeling. We have worked really hard for this. Last year we thought we could have been in this same position, but this year we have really put the pieces together and we are very confident. We are playing well out there right now”
On the difference between this year’s team and last year’s:
“We are more experienced and confident this year. We are more assignment-sound. The experience helps us out a lot.”
On losing to Baylor last season:
“Last year we had a rough game. In the fourth quarter we were up 35-17 with 10 minutes left in the game and they came back and beat us. We weren’t having that this year.”
Sophomore Quarterback Todd Reesing
On the weather delay:
“When we came out originally we were all ready to warm-up and everyone was really focused. After we told there was going to be a delay, we had to relax and not allow ourselves to get too jacked-up for the game. Then right after we get started we get brought back in for another delay. It was definitely a long day. I think we did a pretty good job of maintaining our focus.”
On the game:
“I am excited that we are 6-0 and 2-0 in conference play. I am not going to fret too much about the game, obviously it wasn’t our best game on offense. The defense played tremendous. The way they got after the ball and got us great field position a lot of times during the game by creating turnovers. The offensive line did a great job in the run game and opened up some big holes for Jake (Sharp) and Brandon (McAnderson). In the passing game we weren’t very crisp. We had some big plays and some guys made some catches, but we still dropped some balls. I also had some bad passes. We were able to not play our best game, yet we still were able to get a big victory.”
Senior Defensive Tackle James McClinton
On handling the weather delay:
“I had it once in high school, but we cancelled the game for the night and then we played the game the next day. I had some experience, but we were just trying to keep the team focused. We had to look at the game like it was set at 12:00 p.m. and not 11:00. We just chilled and ate during the delay. I was out there telling people to stay focused.”
On what the team has improved on since last year:
“This team has a lot more unity and we trust in the Lord. Special teams went out there and did their thing. The defense did a good job of getting the offense good field position. The offense did their job and went in there and just put the ball in the endzone.
On putting pressure on the quarterback:
“Like coach always says if you can rattle up the quarterback then he will know that you are coming. He will be noticing the pressure coming from the defensive line when he is trying to throw the ball.”
Baylor Quotes
Head Coach Guy Morriss
On the game:
“We’ve just got to execute our plays or we’re not going to get any better. All the wishing and the hoping is not going to get it done. You just have to go out and make plays, and we didn’t do that today. Our kicking game other than David’s (Gettis) return, the kicking game was pretty bad. Our offense was poor and couldn’t stop the run. We didn’t have a lot of anything going today. What started it was the first ball thrown to Brad Taylor. If he catches it, we can make a first down and then maybe keep going. It’s not good when you get the ball in the first series and can’t throw and catch to get a first down. Then we mishandled the punt and it went down hill from there.”
On Kansas’ improvement from last year’s game:
“Quite a bit obviously. There are sitting here 6-0 now. The thing about Kansas is that they are playing hard and they absolutely do not beat themselves. I think that’s been the key for them.”
On the weather delay affecting the game:
“I don’t think so. It’s the same for both teams. That’s just something we have to learn how to handle. They told us it was about a half an hour so we went in and talked about what we had seen and tried to get everyone to calm down. We talked about the importance of going out there and trying to execute and doing what you are coached to do.”
On running up the score:
“They are just running their offense. Mark said something about it. I told him it was our fault. I told him it was our job to keep you out of the endzone. He was running the football. If he was throwing the fade three times in a row, that would be one thing. I’ve never complained about that. What do you tell your kids? Tell them not to score after you program them to execute your offense? That’s on us to get them stopped. I don’t have a problem with that at all.”
Sophomore Linebacker Joe Pawelek
On the game:
“Obviously Kansas is a great ball club. We found ourselves in a lot of holes. We came out strong and then the kickoff was returned and things went down hill from there. Kansas has a great team but we are doing things top to bottom to keep ourselves from being competitive. There were plays all over the game (that contributed to the loss). The offense put us in bad spots and we couldn’t stop anything to save our lives. It is not one side of the ball that is struggling and the other side is doing great, top to bottom we have to find a way to execute to where we can be successful.”
If the delays affected the game:
“I don’t think so. It was something a little bit different that we had to handle. At the same time when the whistle blows it is a Big 12 football game and we’ve got to be ready for it.”
On bouncing back from today’s loss:
“We have to come in tomorrow and put that film on to figure out what we’re doing to hurt ourselves and things that we need to get corrected. Nobody’s given up on anybody. We have five more chances to get out there and play and to win.”
Sophomore Wide Receiver David Gettis
On his kickoff return for touchdown:
“It was one of those special plays where everything happened that was supposed to happen. The other 10 guys made it easy for me to hit the hole and run for a touchdown. I’ve never kick returned before so I’ve had to learn to let my blocks develop. I just want to let things happen and then use my speed.
If the delays affected the game:
“It didn’t really affect us. Football is unpredictable. You never know what is going happen. It was unfortunate that we were not able to come out until later, but it did not affect us.”
