Reesing Leads Jayhawks To 28-14 Halftime Lead Against Minnesota In Insight Bowl

Dec. 31, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. – Todd Reesing has thrown for four touchdowns in a nearly flawless first half as Kansas leads Minnesota 28-14 at halftime of the Insight Bowl.

The junior quarterback completed a school-record 14 straight passes while completing 19 of 23 in the first 30 minutes of play. The Jayhawks have amassed 221 passing yards in the first half.

Dezmon Briscoe has 10 catches for 147 yards and two scores in the first half, while Kerry Meier has pulled in five for 43 yards and one touchdown. Johnathan Wilson has the other KU touchdown catch.

The Jayhawks have also rushed for 86 yards as Jake Sharp has 54 yards on 11 carries and Reesing has added 32 yards on six rushing attempts.

While KU has produced 307 yards of total offense, the Jayhawk defense has limited the Minnesota offense to 194 yards. Eighty-seven of the Gophers yards came on their first drive of the game.

Kansas struck first scoring on a 60-yard pass play from Todd Reesing to Dezmon Briscoe on the game’s opening play. The 60-yard scoring toss was the longest for the Jayhawks since Briscoe scored on a 69-yard reception at Oklahoma back on Oct. 18.

The score was the quickest for the Jayhawks since Greg Heaggans returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Southwest Missouri State in 2002.

However, Minnesota responded on its first possession, as the Gophers threw a 75-yard pass on their opening play to set up a quick touchdown. The 75-yard pass was the longest allowed by 20 yards by the Jayhawks this season.

After Minnesota pulled ahead 14-7, Kansas responded by scoring the next 21 points in the half to take the 28-14 halftime lead.

Midway through the second quarter Briscoe had reached the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth straight game, setting a new school record for consecutive 100-yard games. The sophomore had two touchdown receptions among his first six catches for 106 yards.

Reesing continued his record-setting career as he threw for a touchdown pass for the 18th consecutive game. He became the school’s all-time pass attempt leader as well, passing Frank Seurer.