November 07, 2009

Kansas Football Falls in Manhattan, 17-10

Nov. 7, 2009

Postgame Video: Mangino

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Despite a combined 168 yards receiving for KU senior Kerry Meier and junior Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas fell to Sunflower Showdown rival Kansas State, 17-10, Saturday afternoon at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

After starting the season with five consecutive wins, the Jayhawks drop to 5-4 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12. K-State improves to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing racked up 266 yards, including 241 through the air, but committed three costly turnovers.

Trailing 7-3 late in the first half, the Wildcats recovered a fumble by Reesing at the Jayhawk 43 yard line regained the when Grant Gregory hit Lamark Brown with 20 seconds remaining in the half. Brown made three catches on the drive, including a 31-yard grab for a touchdown.

After surrendering a touchdown on its first defensive stand of the second half, KU put together two drives in the second half. However, the Jayhawks only managed a 46-yard field goal by Jacob Branstetter with 5:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. K-State ran out the final five minutes to clinch the win.

Kansas threatened early in the game as senior Darrell Stuckey returned the opening kickoff 67 yards to the Kansas State 30 yard line. However, the Jayhawks came up empty as Branstetter missed a 30-yard field goal wide to the right.

After K-State took a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Jayhawks responded with the first touchdown of the afternoon as Reesing found Briscoe with a quick screen from the Wildcat 17-yard line.

The senior quarterback drove KU 60 yards in seven plays, and was responsible for the entire drive. Reesing completed 5-of-6 passes on the drive and also added a five-yard scramble to take the ball inside the K-State 30.

The 10 points scored by the Kansas offense was a season low. Reesing completed 27-of-41 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, while Meier led the receiving corps with eight catches for 92 yards. Senior running back Jake Sharp gained 35 yards on 11 carries, while Reesing ran eight times for 25 yards.

Kansas freshmen Huldon Tharp and Lubbock Smith led the defense with nine tackles a piece, while Darrell Stuckey and Drew Dudley chipped in six.

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back at home next Saturday when it plays host to Nebraska at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ABC television.