Jayhawks Roll Past Iowa State 45-7

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing completed 21 of 26 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns, including two to junior wide receiver Dexton Fields who tied a school record with 11 catches as third-ranked Kansas cruised past Iowa State, 45-7 Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium.

The Jayhawks, ranked No. 3 in the latest BCS standings, improve to 11-0 overall and 7-0 in the Big 12. The 11 victories mark the most in school history, and clinch at least a share of the Big 12 North title for the Jayhawks. The Cyclones fall to 3-9 overall, and 2-6 in the conference.

Reesing led the Jayhawks to their 11th victory of the season with perhaps his best half throwing the ball. The sophomore completed 19 of his 20 pass attempts in the first half, with the lone incompletion coming on a throw away in the first quarter. Reesing completed his first nine pass attempts, then threw a second down pass out of bounds to avoid a sack, before hitting his next 10 passes.

The second-year quarterback threw four touchdown passes, marking the fourth time this season he has thrown for at least four scores in a game. His first two touchdowns went to Fields.

The tandem hooked up midway through the first quarter on a flare to the near sideline, where Fields made a move around a defender and took it in for the score.

Later in the quarter, Reesing threw his second TD pass of the afternoon, hitting Fields again on a short route that he then turned into a score. It marked the junior’s first career multi-touchdown game.

The Jayhawks built a 21-0 lead on Reesing’s third touchdown pass of the game. The sophomore signal caller hit senior wide receiver Marcus Henry on a quick crossing pattern across the middle of the field that Henry took 51 yards to paydirt.

Iowa State got on the board with 3:54 remaining in the first half as Alexander Robinson cut the lead to 21-7 on a touchdown run around the left end. The Cyclones were aided by a pair of Jayhawk penalties on the drive.

KU regained a 21-point advantage just before the half with Reesing’s fourth touchdown pass, this time a lob to sophomore wide receiver/quarterback Kerry Meier with under two minutes remaining in the half. It marked Reesing’s 30th touchdown pass of the season.

Senior kicker Scott Webb extended the lead to 31-7 with a 37-yard field goal.

Kansas collected two more touchdowns in the final quarter of play as Meier got into the act. He found senior tight end Derek Fine as four different KU receivers caught touchdowns. Sophomore running back Angus Quigley capped the scoring for KU with a 13-yard TD run for the final margin of 45-7.

The Jayhawks dominated the offensive stats, gaining 566 total yards to just 234 for Iowa State. KU scored at least 45 points in all seven of its home contests, averaging just over 56.1 points per game at Memorial Stadium.

KU gained 212 yards on the ground with sophomore Jake Sharp leading the way with 83 yards on 15 carries. Nine different Jayhawks caught passes Saturday with Fields’ recording 11 grabs for 109 yards. Henry chipped in four catches for 92 yards, while Meier, McAnderson and Fine had three catches a piece.

The Jayhawks will face No. 5 Missouri in the regular season finale next Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The game will be televised nationally on ABC, with kick off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Kansas’ win against Iowa State…
…Makes Kansas 11-0 for the first time in school history.
…Gives KU 11 wins for the first time in school history.
…Keeps Kansas on track for its fifth undefeated season in school history.
…Guarantees Kansas at least a share of the Big 12 North title, its first. KU’s previous best finish in the Big 12 North was fourth on three occasions (last being 2006).
…Makes KU undefeated at home for the second time under Mark Mangino era (6-0 in 2005), the second time in the Big 12 era and the sixth time at Memorial Stadium (4-0-2 in 1923, 5-0 in 1951, 5-0-1 in 1973, 6-0 in 2005, 7-0 in 2007).
…Gives Kansas its most home victories in a season.
…Improves the Kansas head coach to 36-35 for his career and moved Mangino into a tie for fourth on the school’s all-time win list. The last KU coach to have a winning record was Jack Mitchell, 1958-66 (44-42-5).

Notes
–Kansas averaged 56.1 points in seven homes games this season. Kansas scored 45 or more points in each of its home contests.
–Kansas had 566 yards of total offense. KU has registered 400-plus yards total offense in 10 of 11 games this season – 333 at Colorado – and 500-plus in seven games.
–With today’s attendance of 51,050, Kansas has now set its home attendance average record for the third straight season. KU averaged 46,498 in seven games this season, surpassing the 44,137 set last season, which broke the 2005 season average of 43,675.
–Kansas’ final two games of the season were sell outs – vs. Nebraska and Iowa State.
–Iowa State rushed for 52 yards tonight to mark the 10th game KU has held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing.
–Iowa State’s 234 yards total offense was the third-lowest against KU this season and the sixth opponent this season the Jayhawks have held to under 300 yards total offense.
–Nine different Jayhawks caught a pass to mark the 10th time this season KU has had at least six different receivers catch a pass in a game.
–Kansas’ 28 points in the first half marked the eighth time this season the Jayhawks have scored 20 or more points in the first half. That includes its last three games – 48 vs.Nebraska, 20 at Oklahoma State and 28 today against Iowa State.
–Kansas has led at half in all but two games this season. KU was tied at Kansas State (14-14) and at Texas A&M (0-0) at intermission.
–Sophomore QB Todd Reesing broke the Kansas single-season completion record, currently at 228. He passed Mike Norseth who had 227 completions in 1985.
–Reesing has 2,910 passing yards in 2007 and is 85 shy of the school record of 2,995 by Norseth in 1985.
–With his four TD passes, Reesing moved into second on the KU career touchdown passes list, currently at 33. Reesing passed Frank Sauer who had 30 TD passes from 1980-83. Reesing is two TD passes from the record held by David Jaynes (35 from 1971-73).
–Reesing’s four TD passes marked his third straight game of three-plus TD passes and the sixth time he has done it this season. His four TDs rank tie for third on the KU single game list with 11 others including himself twice. Reesing holds the top spot as well with six against Nebraska earlier this season.
–Reesing threw for 253 yards. He has now tied the KU single-season record with eight games of 200 or more yards passing. He has tied Bill Whittemore (2003) and Mike Norseth (1985).
–Reesing has improved his season passing totals to 30 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
–Reesing is responsible for 31 touchdowns this season surpassing the school record of 28 by Bill Whittemore in 2003.
–Reesing completed 19 of his first 20 pass attempts with the one incompletion being a throw away. He completed his first nine to start the game. Then he had the throw away. Then he completed his next 10 straight.
–Reesing was 21-of-26 passing and the 80.8 completion percentage ranks sixth best on the KU all-time list and is a personal best.
–Reesing has 205 consecutive pass attempts without an interception.
–Only a sophomore, Reesing has moved into seventh on the KU career passing yards list, currently at 3,114 yards.
–Today marked the fifth game this season Reesing did not play in the fourth quarter.
–Junior Dexton Fields tied a school record with 11 receptions in a game. He tied three others – Isaac Byrd vs. Iowa State in 1996, Quintin Smith vs. Louisville in 1989 and Willie Vaughn vs. Colorado in 1986.
–Fields’ two touchdown receptions marked his first multi-TD reception game of his career. Fields has five TD catches this season which ties his output from last season. He has 11 career TD receptions which ranks tied for sixth on the KU career list.
–Senior Brandon McAnderson became the 12th Jayhawk to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. McAnderson has 1,009 yards this season.
–Senior Marcus Henry has eight TD receptions this season, which ties two others for the single-season record at KU.
–Senior Derek Fine caught his fourth TD pass of the season and 10th of his career.
–Fine’s 41 receptions in 2007, Fine is first in receptions by a tight end – John Scroll, 40 catches in 1971.
–Senior Scott Webb scored nine points and now has 110 points this season to become KU’s single-season scoring leader. Webb moved past June Henley who scored 108 points in 1996.
–Senior Kyle Tucker moved into second on the KU career punts list, currently at 220.
–Senior DB Sadiq Muhammed intercepted his second pass of the season and third of his career. He also had an interception against Baylor earlier this season.
–Freshman Chris Harris had a season high 11 total tackles today, including a season high nine solo.
–Sophomore Kerry Meier’s touchdown catch was his second of the season, with the two TDs coming in the last three games. Tonight marked the first time Meier has caught and thrown for touchdowns.
–Junior Matt Darton started at left tackle in place of Anthony Collins. It was Darton’s first career start.
–Sophomore RB Angus Quigley rushed for his second touchdown of the season.
–Senior DL James McClinton has started 31 consecutive games, while OT Cesar Rodriguezhas started 26 straight and LBs Joe Mortensen and Mike Rivera have each started 23 in a row. WR Marcus Henry and CB Aqib Talib notched their 21st straight starts.
–Kansas recognized its 13 seniors prior to the game. Those were DL Marcus Anderson, OL Ramses Arceo, TE Derek Fine, WR Jeff Foster, WR Marcus Henry, TE Marc Jones, RBBrandon McAnderson, DT James McClinton, S Sadiq Muhammed, OT Cesar Rodriguez, SBrian Seymour, P Kyle Tucker and PK Scott Webb.

Kansas Quotes
Head Coach Mark Mangino
On being 11-0:
“It means a lot to the people who work with our players every game, the players themselves, and the team as a whole. It means a lot to them that they have been able to do something that hasn’t been done in the past. I think it comes as a byproduct of just playing hard, winning and keeping your eye on the target, and these things seem to come about.”

On personal achievements:
“If you work hard, if you prepare to play every week and you execute your responsibilities, then anything is possible, and that is what’s taking place. There are no kids who want to break this record or that record. What they are doing is doing their jobs, and that is a byproduct.”

On Todd Reesing:
“He had another great night out. He had good protection. The receivers, tight ends and backs ran good routes, which gave him the chance to put some balls into coverage. Todd had another really good night.”

On Brandon McAnderson:
“Brandon has been a key guy for us. He started his career as a special teams guy, earned his way to the No. 1 fullback, and is now the No. 1 single back. Our kids are more interested in winning than the personal goals. That’s why they put all this hard work into the program.”

On KU’s defense:
“I thought we played well. I thought the drive they scored on we had a bunch of penalties, which is uncharacteristic of our team. But overall, we played very, very well. We had the opportunity to play some young kids in the fourth quarter, and they did a good job, too. I was very pleased.”

On the Kansas-Missouri game:
“We had planned to have a good season, and one of the things that the kids wanted to accomplish this year was to have an opportunity to win the Big 12 North, and next week they will get an opportunity to try and do that. That is something that our players wanted, and I’m sure – I’m not sure, I am absolutely positive that they are looking forward to the game.”

Sophomore Quarterback/Wide Receiver Kerry Meier
On being 11-0:
“We set high, high personal goals and we keep working to get there. We aren’t done yet, but we’ve accomplished a lot of great things so far. I congratulate the team and the fan support and everything, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us to do.”

On possibly playing for the national championship:
“I think Oregon lost the other night and it’s unfolding the way we want, but like I said, we have to take care of business and take it one week and one step at a time and let it come to us. If we take care of our business, things will fall into place for us.”

On getting over the fact that Reesing is the starting quarterback:
“It took a day. I realized that Todd (Reesing) is the man for the job this year and that’s how it’s going to be. I took it as some motivation to work and if that’s Todd’s (Reesing) job, then I need to find another place and another way to get on the field, and I think I found a way and I’m enjoying what I’m doing right now and I think it’s an effective role on the team.”

Sophomore Quarterback Todd Reesing
On Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel:
“Chase is a great player, from the times I’ve seen him play, he finds a way to make plays. He’s a great quarterback, but that’s not what I’m really worried about right now, that’s not really my concern because I play against the defense and he plays offense.”

On his completion percentage:
“When the offensive line does a good job blocking and the play calling is great, the receivers get open, it makes my job really easy and when guys are getting open and being where they’re supposed to be and we’re executing well, the completions take care of themselves. Tonight we were executing our plays very well and we weren’t trying to force anything and take what the defense would give us. Because of that we were able to complete a lot of passes and have productivity.”

On being associated with the Heisman:
“I’m not going to worry about any postseason awards or anything like that. That’s amazing that my name is even being considered on such a short list of great players and I’m really just speechless when someone mentions that, but really that’s just a reflection of my teammates, because without them, I wouldn’t have accomplished anything. So I’m not going to worry about awards, I’m worried about next week’s game and enjoying the victory tonight.”

Senior Running Back Brandon McAnderson
On possibly overlooking Iowa State:
“It never really entered our minds because that is not the way we operate. We are just a focused team that is focused every week. Iowa State is an improving football team. This week our focus was Iowa State and last week our focus was on Oklahoma State. It sounds like a cliché and it sounds like something that everybody says, but it is just the way we are.We just don’t look ahead, it is not important to us.”

On the game:
“Senior day is a big event and I was fired up for this game. This was probably the biggest game of my life so far, but we still have a long ways to go. We have 13 seniors on this team and we have come a long way. I have been here for five years and Derek Fine has been here for six years. We have gone through a lot of really hard times and tough losses.11-0 means nothing to me right now but it will probably mean a lot in a few months. It does mean a lot considering where we have came from. We have come a long way and our attitudes and players have changed. We have become a different program.”

Junior Linebacker Joe Mortenson
On the improved Jayhawks:
“We have learned a lot from players from the past and we knew that in camp this year that we had a chance to be a good team if we just played together.”

On the Missouri game:
“It feels good to have all the other games out of the way and the atmosphere is going to be great and I am looking forward to it.”

Iowa State Quotes
Head Coach Gene Chizik
On his message to the team following the game:
“I told them I appreciated their efforts. It has been a hard year. There has been a lot of ups and downs all year. I wished the seniors well and told them that we really appreciated what they brought to the university. We just have to go back to work with all the guys that are returning and put a lot better product out there than this year.”

On the positives on a 3-9 season:
“We got two quality Big 12 wins. We beat Iowa. Obviously three (wins) is not the goal. We’re going to try to pull out some positives from it. I’m going to go back and review the season really hard.”

On Kansas;
“They are a very good football team. They are deservedly No. 2 in the country. He’s (Mangino) built it right. He’s built it with speed and with great players. It showed tonight. There were times when we were in the right spots and couldn’t tackle or come down with the ball. They’ve got a very good football team.”

On Todd Reesing:
“He’s one of the tops in the league. He manages the game great. He’s does all the things that has gotten them to this spot. He’s played well all year.”

Sophomore Linebacker Jesse Smith
On Todd Reesing:
“He’s a very good quarterback. He hurt us both running the ball, scrambling and obviously throwing the ball down field. That’s what he did–he hurt us today. He’s definitely one of the top quarterbacks (that I have faced).”

On Kansas:
“They did what we expected them to do and we just didn’t execute our game plan. They are a very good football team and I wish them the best.”

On comparing Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas:
“All of them are really good. We played against Oklahoma really well and we thought we were going to come out here and play against Kansas really well.”

On which is better–KU offense or defense:
“They were both impressive. We couldn’t stop them and we couldn’t get anything going on offense. Both of them kind of contradict each other. They played really well like we expected they would, and we just didn’t do our job.”

Senior Quarterback Bret Meyer
On playing his last game:
“We wanted to play better today.”

On Todd Reesing:
“I don’t see why he’s not up there (Heisman consideration). As far as all that I have seen he is one of the best. Kansas’ offense might be the best that we’ve seen.”

On the Iowa State offense:
“We kind of killed ourselves. We’ve played against good defensive schools all year. They (KU) have a good defense and a good secondary. We had too many penalties. We’ve got to give ourselves a chance to score a lot.”