University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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-24 VT -Zi January 3, 2008 Kansas VS. I I O h Vi rgl n I a Te c Kansas wins Orange Bow! to end record-breaking season ansas didnit do anything out of the ordinary to defeat Virginia Tech and capture the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl title, Well, at least nothing more unexpected than the 12-1 team had done al- ready this season. The team that turned analysts' predictions and preconceptions on their heads all season con- tinued to upset college football's natural order in a way that has become strangely normal for the winningest team in the history of Kansas football. Over the course of the season, the Jayhawks emerged from a decade-long stint of mediocrity to win 12 games and a BCS bowl. In Dolphin Stadium, the lay- hawks defeated Vir- ginia Tech, 24-21, by beating the Hokies at their own game: special teams. The Iayhawks over- came several exceptional kick and punt returns by Virginia Tech with a timely blocked field goal and an expertly executed fake punt. 'iWe were able to make a big, big play on that punt and turn the game around with the blocked field goalf' said Kansas junior wide receiver Dexton Fields. The blocked field goal may have been the biggest play in a game full of momentum swings, big hits and closely contested short-yard- age struggles. With six minutes and 31 seconds to play in the third quarter, Virginia Tech was pick- ing up steam. An 84-yard punt return touchdown by senior wide receiver lustin Harper with 11:35 remaining in the third pulled the Kansas defenders celebrate with sophomore safety Justin Thorton 1461 afterThorton intercepted a Virginia Tech pass in the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl. Hokies within three points, 17- 14, and the pro-Virginia Tech fans at Dolphin Stadium were at full vol- ume. The Hokies took possession at their own 18-yard line but quickly moved the ball downfield with help from a 15-yard pass interfer- ence penalty on Kansas freshman cornerback Chris Harris and an improbable diving catch by soph- omore tight end Greg Boone. The Hokies advanced to the Iayhawk 8-yard line before opting to at- tempt a 25-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-two. The ball had barely left senior kicker Iud Dun- levy's foot when Kansas senior linebacker Ioe Mortensen burst through the offensive line and blocked the ball with his chest. 'Usually when we line up I usu- ally come out in zone and drop backf' Mortensen said. But this time we went for an all-out block. With the momentum wrenched from Virginia Tech's control, Kansas was able to stay ahead for the remainder of the game. With 11:01 to play in the contest, Kansas 1 Natal

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Ou xii .I rv 5-2 A Jayhawk defender is stiff-armed in his attempt to take down a Missouri player. Missouri spoiled Kansas' almost-perfect season. end Iohn Larson got within strik- ing distance of the Missouri quar- terback, a blocker cut him down. We did an all right job slowing them down at times, said sopho- more safety Iustin Thornton. In the second half, the Tigers exteneded their lead by capital- izing on Jayhawk errors. Kansas was efliciently marching down the field on its first drive of the second half before Reesing barely missed senior wide receiver Marcus Hen- ry on a throw over the middle. The pass tipped off of Henry's left hand and into the hands of Missouri cornerback Castine Bridges. Bridges returned the in- terception 49 yards to the Kansas 40-yard line, and Missouri scored its third touchdown seven plays later on running back Iimmy Iacksonls one-yard plunge. The Iayhawks finally found the end zone midway through the third quarter when they engi- neered a 67-yard drive capped off by senior running back Brandon McAnderson's one-yard touch- down run. Freshman wide receiv- story by ASHER Fusco Photos by JON GOERING luv. Iliff Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing C51 releases the ball as a Missouri defender bears dovvn. er Dezmon Briscoels highlight- worthy catch was the key play of the drive. Kansas came close to a comeback victory, close to a perfect regular season and close to a berth in the Big 12 Championship game. But the small things that Missouri did right and that Kansas did wrong decided the game. The layhawks' mistakes - overthrown passes and barely missed field goals - caught up with them and ended their quest for perfection.

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l J ind A. l x A i F' ,I W lf , fy Y X, v rf' ,E ic , i The football team celebrates its Orange Bowl vi sophomore safety Iustin Thornton made an outstanding read on an erratic pass by Virginia Tech ju- nior quarterback Sean Glennon, intercepted the pass and advanced the ball to the Virginia Tech two- yard line. On the next play, Kan- sas sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing plunged two yards into the end zone to extend the Kansas lead to 24-14. The game-clinching touchdown run was one of many excellent plays the Iayhawks made. Rees- ing's favorite receiver was Fields, who tallied 101 yards on seven receptions. Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry was the beneficiary of Reesingls touchdown pass, and totaled 20 yards in his final colle- giate contest. 'flt was really an up-and-down game, a roller coaster of emo- tions, Reesing said. Kansas spent much of the 2007 season breaking school records and setting new and lofty stan- dards for a program that had spent -va? ctory and the winningest season in Kansas football history. Senior wide receiver Marcus Henry C863 goes to block a Hokie kick. much of the last century mired in mediocrity. 'fOur kids were determined to play wellf Mangino said. KA lot of folks counted us out on this one, and we heard that for about a month - that's OK because we've been in that position quite a bit. 1 think we always play better when we're an underdog anyhow. l'm very proud of our players, many of whom are here now. lt's been a great day for KU football - it truly has been. story by ASHER Fusco Photos by roN GOERING