University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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K if 1 if MQW BORDER SHOWDOWN I IZO

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THROUGH THE FALLING SNOXV, THE CLOCK READ oo:3 3.JUST LONGER THAN HALF A MINUTE. WHAT CAN YOU DOIN 3 3 SECONDS? WARM UP A BOWL OF SOUP? TAKE OUT THE TRASH? TURN THE FORTUNES OF TWO SCHOOLS AND TWO STATES ON A SINGLE PLAY? The scoreboard said Missouri 37. Kansas 33. The snow fell, and more than 75,000 breathed warm air into their hands. it was a frozen fourth-and-seven from the 26 yard line. Mangino didn't need a Hail Mary. He heeded a rosary. Todd Beesing stood in the shotgun. Kerry Meier stood 20 feet to his right. And it might be a good time to tell you that Beesing couldnt lilt his right arm last Monday. lt had been killing him since the Nebraska game. And if this story isn't dramatic enough, Meiers hamstring was shot. l-le'd barely practiced since the Texas game two weeks ago. But this wasn't the time to think about iniuries. This was Kansas vs, Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. This was the Border Show- down, And the clock read 00:33. Beesing had already led Kansas to one come-from-be hind drive. Kansas' leader had already thrown for 349 yards. Meier had already caught one comeffromabehind touch- down - an eight-yard corner ofthe end zone strike with 4:26 remaining in the fourth. l-le had already caught l 3 passes. But behind the speed ot Jeremy Maclin, the strength ot Chase Coffman and the arm of Chase Daniel, Missouri's O8 - O9 W .JAYHAWKER brilliant offense responded with a seven-play, 73 yard touch- down drive. Bo Beesing stood in the shotgun, and looked across the line as two Missouri linebackers crept towards the line of scrimmage. Would they blitz? They had been blufting a lot all day, Beeslng would say. lfthey blitzed, Beesing knew they'd have to drop into man coverage, There'd only be tive defenders to cover Kansas' four wide receivers. But Beesing had seen this before. l-le had stood inthe shotgun during last years Border War, futilely attempting to save Kansas' undefeated 2007. But then, Kansas' line collapsed and Beesing ended up with a facemask full of Arrowhead turf. The clock read 0:33. Beesing looked to his left, and back to the line. Beesing took the snap, and as athousand Chilled faces looked on, Missouri blitzed. This time, Kansas' line stood tirm. Beesing looked to his left for Dezmon Briscoe and began to throw. The initial read wasn't there, Beesing would say, I just started moving around and praying. At that moment, as the pocket began to collapse, Meier - sensing a breakdown - streaked past Missouri safety Justin Garrett to the end zone. And that was it. Beesing -in classic Todd-fashion - bought a second of extra time and stepped up in the pocket. Meier- in classic Kerry-fashion - looked up into the snow and cradled Beesing's perfectly lofted ball tor a touchdown. Of course, the Jayhawks would have to stop one inal Chase Daniel charge. And of Course, they would. And then, as the celebration raged, senior Joe Mortensen grabbed the indian War Drum, the trophy given to the winner of the Border Showdown, and headed forthe stands. The Jayhawks danced around the faded grass. At that moment, maybe Beesings shoulder didn't feel so sore, and maybe Meier's hamstring didn't throb ciuite as much. ln a matter of seconds, they crushed the hopes ofa million TTgers, and made sure a million Jayhawks would never forget Beesing to Meier with 33 seconds left. i'l'm so proud, Mangino would say. Through the snow and tears, the clock read 00:00.

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2 nys ... O8 - O9 I JAYHAWKER GH T VICTORY