Todd Reesing has taken as many hits off the field as he has on it. As Kansas has sulked and staggered its way through its last three games, Reesing, Kansas’ spunky leader, has taken the brunt of the blame.
Reesing was being celebrated as a Heisman dark-horse candidate just three short weeks ago. This week, no one was sure whether Reesing was going to start. He was benched during the Texas Tech game in favor of freshman Kale Pick.
While Kansas has looked nothing like the team that ran through the first portion of its schedule and was going to be in contention for a Big 12 North title, the problem does not lie with Reesing.
Kansas should have won the Colorado game. Dezmon Briscoe dropped two game-winning touchdown catches. The adage states, if a receiver gets his hands on the ball, then he should catch it — and Briscoe got his paws all over the pigskin on those season-determining drops.
Reesing played terribly against a stout Oklahoma defense. He threw three interceptions, none more important than an early pick-six that deflated the Jayhawks. The game that broke the camel’s back, or Mangino’s in this case, was the Texas Tech game. Reesing threw for 181 yards and one touchdown.
Maybe Reesing’s legacy broke him. Maybe the 5-foot-11 quarterback who could carry a team for the last two seasons could not carry his own legacy. Or Kansas fans are looking forward to basketball season and see losing as an easy way out.
I have no idea, but to blame Reesing is absolutely asinine. Reesing is the only reason this team even has five wins.
While Reesing’s numbers are not as impressive as they have been, they are still very impressive. Through the season, he has nearly 2,400 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kansas’ issues lie in its inexperienced offensive line and its defense. KU fans seem to think if you have a good offense than you are in good shape. As they have come to realize, defense, not offense, wins championships. But because of the Jayhawks’ recent introduction to the game, I’ll give them a pass.
Reesing is the starter for this game. Too bad Mangino did not follow Tom Keegan’s advice and start wide receiver Kerry Meier at quarterback.
It will be interesting to see how long Reesing’s leash is. Will Magino pull the senior leader for redshirt freshman Kale Pick in a hostile environment?
Kansas fans blame the lack of swagger for their recent failures, but maybe the swagger became too much too handle.
But it is basketball season.
- Paul Harris is a junior in mass communications. Please send comments to sports@spub.ksu.edu
