 "Photo: The Associated Press")
If it weren’t for Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing would be toward the top of the list of 2009’s Heisman candidates.
The Austin native, who played high school ball at Lake Travis, threw for 3,888 yards last year and connected for 32 touchdowns in one of his most prolific seasons at Kansas. But he is often overshadowed by quarterbacks from the Big 12 South.
Now, the senior is back for his fourth season with the Jayhawks, who are only two years removed from their first BCS win and a 12-1 run in 2007.
That was a magical year in Lawrence, but fortunes reversed in 2008 and the Jayhawks finished 8-5. However, fans are preparing for a big year in 2009.
Just like almost every team in the Big 12, Kansas should have little trouble scoring points. Reesing’s two favorite targets, returning wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier, combined for 189 catches for 2,452 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2008.
“No defensive coordinator is rubbing their hands together and saying, ‘I can’t wait to play against their offense and Todd Reesing,’” Mark Mangino said after winning the Insight Bowl against Minnesota in 2008.
But that doesn’t mean the Jayhawk offense is flawless.
The team’s top three rushers are back in Jake Sharp, Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley, but none of the three are elite backs and have yet to show they can carry the offense when needed.
The biggest question mark for the Jayhawks comes on the other side of the line of scrimmage with a defense that must bounce back its lackluster performance from last year to have a chance at its first Big 12 Championship.
Mangino is expected to throw out a 4-2-5 formation on defense due to the loss of linebackers James Holt, Mike Rivera and Joe Mortenson, who carried the unit in 2008.
Senior safety Darrell Stuckey will be responsible for making sure the defense does not allow 35 points per game, as it did in 2008.
The Big 12 will be dangerous again this season, and the Jayhawks are aware that it won’t be easy. But they feel that they have what it takes to be BCS-worthy again.
“I can say with a great deal of confidence that, [if we] stay healthy and stay on track, we have a chance to be a very good football team,” Mangino said.
Team name: Kansas Jayhawks
Head coach: Mark Mangino
Conference: Big 12
2008 record: 8-5
Players to watch:
- Todd Reesing – Senior – QB
2008: 3,888 yards passing/66.5 Comp%/32 TD/148.53 RAT
Another outstanding season would put the Austin native among the all-time greats to play football at Kansas. - Jake Sharp – Senior – RB
2008: 860 yards rushing/12 touchdowns
The Jayhawks need Sharp, Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley to contribute this year because Kansas will not be successful with a one-dimensional pass offense, no matter how good.
Game to watch: Oct. 24 at Oklahoma
Barring any major upset, the Jayhawks could easily be 6-0 entering their first real test when the Sooners come to Lawrence in October.
The Word on Kansas: The Jayhawks enter the season as a contender for the Big 12 South. Their first six opponents had a combined 2008 record of 24-48, whereas their final six opponents combined for 59-26 last year, meaning the Jayhawks will face two very different seasons in 2009.
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