University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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November 72 2007 l Junior linebacker Joe Mortensen brings down an Iowa State player in the layhawks'victory against the Cyclones. Kansas vs. Iowa State Jayhawks stay undefeated, blow away Cyclones or the Texas A8cM Ag- gies, few things are more simple than converting on fourth-and-short: put Iorvorskie Lane in the back- field, hand him the ball, and let the 274-pound wrecking ball of a running back do ,, the rest. When Tex- as A8zM head coach - 7 Dennis Franchione put the tactic to use late in the second quarter, he failed to account for Kansas defensive tackle Iames McClin- ton. As was the case many times on against Texas A8cM, McClinton and the Kansas defense came up with a big stop on a crucial play on the way to a 19-ll victory. Kansas cemented its best start to a season since l909, snapped a seven-game losing streak to Texas ASIM and defeated a Big 12 South opponent on the road for the first time in the Mark Mangino era. With just more than three min- utes remaining in the first half and the score tied at zero, Texas ASIM had finally found some offensive rhythm. The Aggies sat entrenched at the Iayhawks' nine-yard line after pushing 71 yards on nine eilicient plays. Fac- ing fourth-and-one, many teams might have elected to attempt a chip-shot field goal to take the lead, but Texas A8cM decided to hand the ball to Lane, their short- yardage weapon. Lane took the handoff from quarterback Stephen McGee and leaned toward the left side of the offensive line. As the power- ful back neared the first-down IAEA marker, McClinton managed to impede his progress just enough for his Iayhawk teammates to bring Lane down short of the marker for a loss of two yards. The Kansas offense picked up yardage with ease for much of the first 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 first try being blocked. The Iay- hawk offense scored on all three of its third-quarter possessions while the defense brought the Aggie rushing attack to a halt. Story by ASHER Fusco Photo by 10N Goenms , ,J

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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

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f ' so-+4 4 rizffp W . - L., A Y 11 Above: Senior running back Brandon McAnderson stretches for the extra yard against the Iowa State defense. Left: Junior receiver Dexton Fields pushes an Iowa State defender aside. Top: Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry keeps an eye on the defense as he works his way dovvnfieid.