University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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November 3, 2007 Kansas vs. Nebraska Jayhawks turn tables against Huskers he Nebraska Cornhusk- ers visited the Kan- sas Iayhawks, and the game was an absolute blowout. There's nothing unusual about that statement. What was strange about the game was that the Iayhawks were the ones doing the dominating. For the better part of the last half-century, Nebraska pushed Kansas around, winning 37 of the teams, last 38 matchups. The Iayhawks played the role of Big 12 bully, turning the tables and rout- ing the Cornhuskers, 76-39. The Iayhawks' 76 points set a school record for the most scored in a conference game and eas- .. ily surpassed the team's previous NU - high of 40 points against Nebraska. Nebraska has a good tradition, and they always play hard, said senior wide re- ceiver Marcus Henry. MSO to look up and see that score on the score- board was pretty amazing. The Iayhawk offense looked impressive the entire game, but the defense suffered through several rough stretches early in the game. In the first half alone, Nebraska junior quarterback Ioe Ganz threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, leading two solid scoring drives in the first 12 min- utes of play. By the opening minutes ofthe second quarter, it was clear that high-powered offense would be the theme of the game. The teams combined for 35 points in the first quarter, and neither showed any sign of slowing down early in the second quarter. Every time Kansas Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry i86I keeps his eye on the ball against Nebraska. looked primed to pull away and stretch its lead, Nebraska used its most potent weapon, senior wide receiver Maurice Purify, to crawl back into the game. Trailing 28-14 early in the sec- ond quarter, Ganz connected with Purify, who was streaking past Kansas junior cornerback Ken- drick Harper, for a 60-yard gain down the middle ofthe field. Despite Nebraska's status as one of the most disappointing teams in the nation, Kansas' decisive vic- tory was impressive because the team did exactly what it needed to do: stay undefeated and make a positive impression on pollsters and media around the nation. A decade ago, Nebraska was the team routinely scoring more than 50 points and rolling to 9-0 starts. ln 2007, Kansas is that team. Story by ASHER Fusco Photos by JEFF 1AcoBsENf KANSAS ATHLETICS I I I I I .6 4 I I I i I I I Y I I I I f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

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gl Dt L21 cl Senior running back Brandon McAnderson 1353 leaves Texas AGM players in the dust as he attempts to run in a touchdown. l1S3S at Jayhawks win ground battle against Texas ACQM or the Texas A8cM Ag- gies, few things are more simple than converting on fourth-and-short: put Iorvorskie Lane in the baclcfield, hand him the ball, and let the 274- pound wrecking ball of a running back do the rest. When Texas A8tM head coach Dennis Fran- chione put the tactic to use late in the second quarter, he failed to ac- -19 TAMU - ll October ZZ 2007 KU count for Kansas de- fensive tackle Iames McClinton. McClinton and the Kansas defense came up with a big stop on a crucial play on the way to a 19-11 victory With just more than three min- utes remaining in the ftrst half and the score tied at zero, Texas ASIM had frnally found some offensive rhythm. The Aggies sat entrenched at the Jayhawks' nine-yard line af- ter pushing 71 yards on nine effi- cient plays. Facing fourth-and-one, many teams might have elected to attempt a chip-shot field goal to take the lead, but Texas ASIM decided to hand the ball to Lane, their short-yardage weapon. The Kansas offense picked up yardage with ease for much of the Hrst half but repeatedly stuttered near the end zone. The Iayhawks entered the Aggies' 20-yard line twice in the first half, but senior kicker Scott Webb missed a field goal on both occasions, with the frrst try being blocked. The lay- hawk offense scored on all three of its third-quarter possessions while the defense brought the Ag- gie rushing attack to a halt. Kansas threw together an ef- fective mix of running plays and passing plays on its next drive. But McGee and his teammates did not leave Kyle Field without putting a bit of a scare into Kan- sas. With their patented run-first style out of the question because of time constraints and the domi- nant Iayhawk defense, the Aggies defied convention and turned to the passing game for points. They make a living on run- ning the ball and we knew we had to take that away, but McGee can throw the ball and l thought he did some good things throw- ing the footballf' Mangino said. GI wouldn't trade our guy for him, but 1 like him? Story by ASHER FUSCO Photo by1ON GOERING

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- 43 OSU - 28 November 10, 2007 Fans shower the football team with high-fives and helmet pats as the Jayhawks continue their undefeated season by defeating Oklahoma State. Kansas at Dklahoma State Kansas holds steady after victory against Oklahoma State ne hundred and eight. Thats how many years it had been since Kansas started a season 10-0. With their 43-28 victory at Oklahoma State, the Iayhawks ce- mented their first 10-O start since 1899 and kept their dream season alive. Kansas did what it has done all year: Come up with defensive stops at just the right moments and respond to adversity with of- fensive firepower. Oklahoma State posted plenty of points despite the loss of its best re- ceiver, but the Iayhawks countered two late Cowboy touchdowns with a perfectly orchestrated 89- yard touchdown drive. Our kids donit panic, and they keep their poisef' said Kansas coach Mark Mangino. We did what we had to do to keep sepa- ration between us and Oklahoma State. Kansas relied on heroics from sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing and senior wide receiver Marcus Henry to stay in the driv- erls seat for most of the game. Af- ter dropping the first pass thrown his way, Henry recovered to put together the finest performance of his collegiate career with eight receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns. With its best weapon standing on the sideline, Oklahoma State sputtered early in the second half. The Cowboys went three-and- out on their first two drives and fumbled the ball away on their third. Meanwhile, Reesing and the Iayhawk offense were firing on all cylinders. He found Henry cutting across the field on a slant route that turned into an 82-yard touchdown when the receiver broke away from defensive backs and into the open field. After making a habit out of me- diocrity in the past few seasons, the 2007 Iayhawks are winning big and winning often. u1t's different because 1 donit think live ever been 10-0 in any- thingf' Talib said. alt just feels good, man. 1t's better than 9-O. stay by ASHER rusco Photo by JEFF JACOBSENI KANSAS ATHLETICS