Game Notes: Kansas-Toledo

--The 3-0 start means the Jayhawks will be playing for their first 4-0 start since 1995 next week against FIU.
--KU has 13 straight home wins against non-conference teams.
--KU has gone over 500 yards on offense in each game this season.
--The 557 yard performance was the most since KU gained 586 yards against Colorado in 2003
--The defense should expect to spend some time on the field. The six scoring drives last night took less than two minutes and KU has had 23 scoring drives this season under the two-minute mark.
--Kansas' two scoring drives of 81 yards and 92 yards in the first quarter marked KU's fourth and fifth scoring drives of 80-plus yards this season.
--The game attendance was 48,112.
--Wide receiver Marcus Henry had 133 yards on seven receptions which ties a KU record with three consecutive 100-yard receiving yards game. (the other KU players that hold the record -- Isaac Byrd in 1996, Willie Vaughn in 1988 and Bob Johnson in 1983).
--Aqib Talib's has a TD reception in four straight games. The longest streak for a Jayhawk since Mark Simmons in 2003.
--Talib now has nine career interceptions.
--Todd Reesing's 313 passing yards for the game rank as the 16th most in school history.
--Reesing now has 10 TD passes on the year versus zero inteceptions.
--Sophomore Jake Sharp rushed for 127 yards, the second 100-yard perfomance of his career.
--Sharp averaged 9.8 yards on his 13 carries
--Dexton Fields has at least two catches in each of his last 14 games, plus eight career TD receptions.
--Senior DT James McClinton led KU with nine tackles.
--The 45-yard miss by senior kicker Scott Webb ended a streak of eight straight successful attempts.

Kansas 45, Toledo 13 -- Box Score

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4   Score
-------------------- -- -- -- --   -----
TOLEDO..............  0  7  0  6 - 13 Record: (0-3,0-1)
Kansas.............. 10 14 21  0 - 45 Record: (3-0)

Scoring Summary:
1st 06:01 KU - Webb, Scott 25 yd field goal, 15-81 5:51, UT 0 - KU 3
00:00 KU - Talib, Aqib 58 yd pass from Reesing, Todd (Webb, Scott kick), 3-92 0:51, UT 0 - KU 10
2nd 11:27 KU - Henry, Marcus 42 yd pass from Reesing, Todd (Webb, Scott kick), 5-61 1:22, UT 0 - KU 17
01:53 UT - OPELT, Aaron 21 yd pass from MOORE, Nick (STEIGERWALD, A. kick), 1-21 0:09, UT 7 - KU 17
00:41 KU - Briscoe, Dezmon 26 yd pass from Reesing, Todd (Webb, Scott kick), 5-60 1:05, UT 7 - KU 24
3rd 05:31 KU - McAnderson, Bra 26 yd run (Webb, Scott kick), 5-52 1:46, UT 7 - KU 31
02:58 KU - McAnderson, Bra 3 yd run (Webb, Scott kick), 3-1 1:24, UT 7 - KU 38
01:45 KU - Fields, Dexton 26 yd pass from Reesing, Todd (Webb, Scott kick), 3-66 0:41, UT 7 - KU 45
4th 00:05 UT - COLLINS,DaJuane 7 yd run (STEIGERWALD, A. kick failed), 4-13 1:53, UT 13 - KU 45

                               UT         KU
FIRST DOWNS................... 9          29
RUSHES-YARDS (NET)............ 37-174     46-232
PASSING YDS (NET)............. 77         325
Passes Att-Comp-Int........... 27-14-3    39-18-0
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS..... 64-251     85-557
Fumble Returns-Yards.......... 0-0        0-0
Punt Returns-Yards............ 2-7        3-3
Kickoff Returns-Yards......... 5-96       3-75
Interception Returns-Yards.... 0-0        3-30
Punts (Number-Avg)............ 10-42.0    4-38.8
Fumbles-Lost.................. 1-1        5-3
Penalties-Yards............... 9-79       1-5
Possession Time............... 29:28      30:32
Third-Down Conversions........ 3 of 16    4 of 15
Fourth-Down Conversions....... 2 of 3     1 of 3
Red-Zone Scores-Chances....... 1-2        2-2
Sacks By: Number-Yards........ 4-24       2-14

RUSHING: TOLEDO-COLLINS,DaJuane 14-102; PARMELE, Jalen 16-88; OPELT,
Aaron 4-9; TEAM 1-minus 8; COCHRAN, Clint 2-minus 17. Kansas-Sharp, Jake 13-127;
McAnderson, Bra 12-52; Boyd-Anderson 6-24; Reesing, Todd 11-19; Fields, Dexton
1-16; Meier, Kerry 3-minus 6.

PASSING: TOLEDO-OPELT, Aaron 10-19-3-38; COCHRAN, Clint 2-6-0-11; MOORE,
Nick 1-1-0-21; KERN, Brett 1-1-0-7. Kansas-Reesing, Todd 16-35-0-313; Meier,
Kerry 2-4-0-12.

RECEIVING: TOLEDO-HOPKINS, Chris 4-20; MOORE, Nick 3-12; PARMELE, Jalen
2-6; OPELT, Aaron 1-21; ALLEN, John 1-7; COLLINS,DaJuane 1-5; WASHINGTON, D.
1-3; HAWKINS, Andrew 1-3. Kansas-Henry, Marcus 7-133; Briscoe, Dezmon 3-56;
Talib, Aqib 2-62; Fields, Dexton 2-45; Fine, Derek 2-17; Herford, Marcus 1-7;
Brorsen, Russel 1-5.

INTERCEPTIONS: TOLEDO-None. Kansas-Talib, Aqib 1-18; Larson, John 1-12;
Stuckey, Darrel 1-0.

Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 48112
Kickoff time: 6:05 pm End of Game: 9:26 pm Total elapsed time: 3:21
Officials: Referee: Clete Blakeman; Umpire: Richard Brown; Linesman: Al Green;
Line judge: David Oliver; Back judge: Richard Jordan; Field judge: Derrick R.-Dunn;
Side judge: Lo Van Pham; Scorer: Beau White;
Temperature: 56 F Wind: SE 9 mph Weather: Cloudy

DEFENSE

SACKS (UA-A): TOLEDO-HAY, Greg 0-1; SHUMAKER, Matt 1-0; FAITHFUL, B. 1-0;
POLLARD, Tyree 0-1; UNDERWOOD, Joe 1-0. Kansas-Onyegbule, Max 1-0; Laptad, Jake
1-0.

TACKLES (UA-A): TOLEDO-ATKINS, Walter 8-1; BRUDZINSKI, B. 4-3;
RICHMOND,Lester 3-3; CHURCH, Barry 4-1; UNDERWOOD, Joe 3-2; FAITHFUL, B. 3-2;
PETTIS, Myshan 3-1; MURPHY, Chris 2-2; SUMMERS,Derrick 1-3; POLLARD, Tyree 1-3;
SHULER, Joe 0-4; JOHNSON, Alex 2-1; FORESTAL, Keith 1-2; HILL, Maurice 1-1; HAY,
Greg 1-1; SHUMAKER, Matt 1-1; CONSTANT, S. 1-1; PREE, Drey'Lon 1-0; HAWKINS,
Andrew 1-0; KRISPINSKY,Mike 1-0; OPELT, Aaron 1-0; MCGUIRE, DARION 1-0; DEWALT,
Jared 0-1; KING, Anthony 0-1; MOORE, Nick 0-1; COLE, Nate 0-1. Kansas-McClinton,
Jame 3-6; Talib, Aqib 6-0; Rivera, Mike 3-3; Mortensen, Joe 2-4; Holt, James
3-2; Laptad, Jake 3-1; Springer, Justi 2-2; Schermer, Jake 1-3; Stuckey, Darrel
1-2; Larson, John 2-0; Strozier, Phill 2-0; Thornton, Justi 2-0; Muhammed, Sadiq
1-1; Bacheyie, Tang 1-1; Onyegbule, Max 1-1; Haselhorst, Tod 0-2; Blakesley,
Cale 0-2; Brown, Raymond 0-2; Dudley, Drew 0-2; Brown, Micah 1-0; Harris, Chris
1-0; Oguntodu, Olait 1-0; Wright, Arist 1-0; Brorsen, Russel 1-0; Green, Gary
0-1; Lewis, Dakota 0-1.

Game Day Notes -- Toledo @ Kansas

This Time It's Personal

Series: KU leads 2-1
Line: KU (-25)

The Rundown
There were a lot of painful losses in 2006, but the Toledo game was the one that kept on giving -- national TV embarrassment, one game shy of getting into a bowl, another road loss, 4-0 start wiped away, etc. You can't re-write history, but the KU football team will attempt to erase the memory tonight. It'll be interesting to see if the Memorial Stadium crowd displays the same passion.

The Key
You could probably start with not turning the ball over five times. It would be good to avoid the pick 6/14-point swing scenario as well. Maybe skip the fourth down end-of-half TD pass giveaway as well. Our defense has improved, so we should be able to stifle the Rockets, but don't underestimate this squad. QB Aaron Opelt did throw for 350 yards last week against CMU with WR Stephens Williams collecting 157 of those yards. Toledo has an experienced secondary with three All-Mac candidates that theoretically would challenge Air Reesing and the massive fleet of Jayhawk wide outs. However, CB Nigel Morris and free safety Tyrrell Herbert have been injured and the Rockets gave up 244 passing yards to CMU and another 244 to Purdue. Toledo also gave up 200+ rushing yards to both teams, so the KU backs should plan on a big day.

Prediction

• KU fans are already spoiled and anything less than 50 points will probably have people asking questions -- the price of success
• Marcus Henry -- 200 yards
• 46K for attendance based on two factors -- revenge for the fans and a lot of local press for the Jayhawks after two blowouts
• Somewhere today, I'll run into a tailgate or party where KU fans will abuse or destroy some sort of Rocket type object
• Aqib Talib gets his first pick of the year
• KU's first TD of the game -- Brandon McAnderson (add your guess to the comments, winner is awarded status as a legend)

Sooners Lead the Big 12 Charge

Conference Looking For Respect

Two weeks in and the Big 12 seems to be headed in right direction versus the other BCS conferences. OU and Nebraska had the marquee wins this past Saturday as the conference now stands at 18-6 overall. Further breakdown:

BCS -- 4-3
ACC -- 2-0
Big 10 -- 1-0
Big East -- 0-0
Pac 10 -- 0-1
SEC -- 1-2
Non BCS -- 12-3

Celebrating Hawk Digest

Hawk Digest 9/13/2006

One Year Later

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Hawk Digest, yet for the fast-paced Web 2.0 world, it seems so long ago. I turned the decision to start a football-only blog for KU over in my mind for several years before finally committing last September. At the time, the source for KU football news, photo, audio and video was kusports.com -- as it is now. The Phog.net gridiron board was the community and Rivals provided the best recruiting info. On the peripheral, you had the usual newspaper sites -- KC Star, Topeka Capital-Journal and the Wichita Eagle plus the Phog Blog which was pretty focused on hoops. You pretty much had the same beat stories then that you have now with KUsports.com, but they were already starting to toy with blogs like the Greene Room. The columns seemed infrequent and really the best place to be was the Gridiron board. Stories about or related to KU football pretty much went up there first and still do. Plus, a handful of posters there really provided good content.  Yet, the experience was frustrating with the club of nuisance posters (anti-Mangino's, anti-KU football, KSU flamers and Mizzou flamers) trashing up the place. It became a time-consuming chore to weed through the trash. I was an infrequent poster (damage_96 -- 300 posts), but a daily reader. I secretly hoped one of the regulars would start up a blog. During those searches, I found the Kansas State Football blog. Pride kicked in and I immediately went into action. If KSU had a football blog, then KU football would have one no matter if I posted once a day or once a month. Besides it really felt like there just wasn't enough football content.

One year later and we've gone 180 degrees. A new blog covering all of KU sports arrived in early 2007 -- Rock Chalk Talk (with extensive football coverage). Plus, I'm not sure why, but KUsports.com has gone into overdrive with Ryan Wood adding his Sawin' Wood blog and the columnists are kickin' out at least one article per day. Since the season started, there are multiple items posted every day. Even Phog Blog was getting into the action with several football posts earlier this month (though that may have been strictly a surge due to the HotDog YouTube moment). The Gridiron Board is still the same, but faster paced and more trash than ever.

In other words, it's a great time to be a KU football fan on the internet. Here at Hawk Digest, I'm building on the original plan. The focus is to consolidate and present all of that KU football content in a single source while throwing in my thoughts and opinions. Basically, simplify the KU football internet world for the fans. In addition, lately I've been working to build more of a community here at Hawk Digest. The stories are coming in so fast, I could use some help getting out the breaking news on the Jayhawk Network Forum which feeds into the left column. Rather than the free-for-all on the Gridiron board, I envision a forum for fans that are ultimately more supportive of KU football. Well-supported criticism and cordial debate is welcome, but the childish tirades and flamers will be eliminated. So, if you've been on the fence, join the game and post away in the comments or on the Jayhawk Network Forum. HD is a full-fledged one-year old now, and it's time to start crawling.

HD Big 12 Power Rankings -- Week #2

1) Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0) #3 CBS
OU throws down a nice blowout against the talent crew from Miami. Nice work by the Sooners leading the Big 12 to a great weekend in non-con play.
CBS Schedule Rank: 49
Results: W N. Texas 79-10 | W Miami (Fla) 51-13
Next: Utah State (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 1-1
CBS: 10-3

2) Texas (2-0, 0-0) #9 CBS
It looks like the Longhorns found themselves in the fourth quarter against the Frogs, but McCoy's 3 to 4 TD to INT ratio thus far is not a good sign. Texas seems merely mortal post VY.
CBS Schedule Rank: 7
Results: W Arkansas St 21-13 | W TCU 34-13
Next: @ UCF (1-0)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 2-2
CBS: 8-9

3) Nebraska (2-0, 0-0) #13 CBS
I wouldn't say it was pretty, but it was a road win against the defending ACC champs. Now you've got USC coming into Lincoln ... not a bad deal really. If you're going to challenge a heavyweight, do it on your own turf.
CBS Schedule Rank: 84
Results: W Nevada 52-10 | W @Wake Forest 20-17
Next: USC (1-0)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 3-3
CBS: 19-13

4) Missouri (2-0, 0-0) #36 CBS
This time the Tigers get a road win versus the SEC. Not bad, but again the defense lets up just enough to leave a little doubt. Still, the strength of schedule moves them up a slot.
CBS Schedule Rank: 4
Results: W Illinios 40-34 | W @Mississippi 38-25
Next: Western Michigan (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 5-4
CBS: 41-36

5) Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0) #17 CBS
Fresno State isn't exactly chopped liver, but you'd expect the Aggies to be able to settle matters at Kyle Field without multiple overtime periods. The evidence is mounting against McGee as a passer.
CBS Schedule Rank: 113
Results: W Montana St 38-7 | W Fresno St 47-45
Next: ULM (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 4-5
CBS: 21-17

6) Kansas (2-0, 0-0) #47 CBS
Just can't ignore the way the Jayhawks have been playing regardless of the competition. KU moves up two spots and it could get ugly again on Saturday as the 'Hawks are motivated.
CBS Schedule Rank: 33
Results: W Central Michigan 52-7 | W SE Louisiana 62-0
Next: Toledo (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
North: 8-6
CBS: 52-47

7) Texas Tech (2-0, 0-0) #41 CBS
I'm not sure how CBS determines strength of schedule but #9 seems a little high. Like KU, the jury is still out until the Raiders play a BCS team. Seems like Tech should have dispatched the Miners with a little less difficulty ... 484 passing yards sounds about right though.
CBS Schedule Rank: 9
Results: W SMU 49-9 | W UTEP 45-31
Next: @Rice (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 6-7
CBS: 45-41

8) Oklahoma St (2-0, 0-0) #34 CBS
OSU did what they were supposed to, but the new development at the QB position changes things. Zac Robinson played well after the Reid injury, but the defense is not solid enough to withstand hiccups on the offensive side of the ball.
CBS Schedule Rank: 61
Results: L @Georgia 14-35 | W FAU 42-6
Next: @Troy (0-2)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 7-8
CBS: 37-34

9) Kansas State (1-1, 0-0) #50 CBS
It was good to end the three-game skid. The score looks right, but it was a little closer than that final score indicated. The Cats lose linebacker Antwon Moore for the season and also have a couple of injuries in the secondary. Missouri State should be a nice rest game despite the 2-0 record.
CBS Schedule Rank: 88
Results: L Auburn 13-23 | W San Jose St 34-14
Next: Missouri St (2-0)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 9-9
CBS: 54-50
 
10) Colorado (1-1, 0-0) #59 CBS
Okay, so I guess Cody Hawkins may not be an instant success story. Florida State comes to town for an interesting match up between two teams that would love to reclaim former glory.
CBS Schedule Rank: 51
Results: W Colorado St 31-28 OT | L @ASU 14-33
Next: Florida St (1-1)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 10-10
CBS: 53-59

11) Baylor (1-1, 0-0) #78 CBS
Grrr! Don't count the Bears out yet. All of the sudden with 412 yards and 6 TD passes against Rice, Blake Szymanski looks like he might be a leader.
CBS Schedule Rank: 89
Results: L @TCU 0-27 | W Rice 42-17
Next: Texas St (1-1)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 11-11
CBS: 80-78

12) Iowa State (0-2, 0-0) #113 CBS
It's not good. Right now, the 'Clones have the cellar position locked. Be careful. If you stay here too long, they talk about trading you for Arkansas, CSU or TCU. Ask Baylor.
CBS Schedule Rank: 112
Results: L Kent St 14-23 |  L N. Iowa 13-24
Next: Iowa (2-0)

Week-by-Week:
HD: 12-12
CBS: 70-113

Confession From a KU Football Blogger

Kansas City's Back

Here's the confession. My number one passion is KU football, but there are a few other sports that I truly enjoy following. The fact that I follow KU basketball pretty seriously is probably no surprise, but a little less traditional for the KC area is my devotion to hockey and cycling. So yes, I was at yesterday's Stage One of the Inaugural Tour of Missouri in Kansas City. And yes, it was an experience that was difficult to wrap my brain around -- the Tour de France winner was racing on Ward Parkway in my city. The turnout was impressive (judged to be 40,000) and the event was top of the line all of the way. I was blown away and it was a true moment of pride for Kansas City.

It got me to thinking about the turnaround that is happening in KC and what a great line-up of events in the city has in store for the next seven months:

1. September -- Tour of Missouri (Contador, Hincapie and Leipheimer in Kansas City -- never even considered it to be a possibility).
2. November -- The CBE Classic college basketball tournament at the brand new Sprint Center (Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri and UCLA are all hosts for the early rounds).
3. November -- The Border War at Arrowhead which is pretty much guaranteed to be filled to capacity at this point. Plus KU and MU now are just six wins away from entering the game with eight wins each. This should be a huge showcase for both KU and Missouri and Big 12 football as well. Depending on how #6 below shapes up possibly the marquee event for the sports year.
4. December -- The 'Hawks make their first visit to the Sprint Center vs Ohio University.
5. February -- The Big 12 Club Ice Hockey tournament will be held in the KC metro area (for more info, check out KUhockey.com).
6. March -- Big 12 Tourney, the Sprint Center and downtown Kansas City. A dream realized.

As the riders made their way through downtown yesterday, I know they had a good view of the Sprint Center. Many projects make up what is the downtown renaissance, but the new arena is the crown jewel and the driving force. Within a year or two an NHL team will be in house and the movement will be complete. The result will be a first-class city with a thriving downtown. Enjoy it, it's a great time to live in the metro or surrounding area.

Opponent Update -- Week #2

And the beatdowns go on ... KU's opponents are now 1-7 with the one victory occurring in a common game (CMU 52-31 over Toledo). The most intriguing thing that happened this weekend was that FIU did not get blown out by Maryland. It was a home game for the Golden Panthers and they were only down by six points (16-10) early in the fourth quarter. CFB Rule #11 -- Always be wary of teams with Florida in the school name. KU fans will be watching for the score on the CMU/Purdue matchup this weekend. If the Chips can keep it from being a rout, KU fans can use that as a comparison. Of course, the Toledo game should have everyone's focus. The Rockets give up 52 per game, but this is the closest thing KU has to a non-con rivalry.

Non-Con prediction -- SLU gets a win this weekend.

Central Michigan #93
L @ Kansas 7-52
W Toledo 52-31
Next: @Purdue

SE Louisiana #196
L @ New Mexico St. 14-35
L @ Kansas 0-62
Next: Kentucky Wesleyan

Toledo #131
L Purdue 24-52
L @ Central Michigan 31-52
Next: @Kansas

Florida International #155
L @ Penn State 0-59
L Maryland 10-26
Next: @Miami (Fla)

# = Sagarin Ranking

HD Player of the Week: James McClinton

Player of the Week

With the shutout and an impressive pushback to leave SLU with -31 rushing yards, senior defensive tackle James McClinton is the HD player of the week. McClinton had five tackles including three for losses totaling 12 yards. He also had two quarterback hurries and a sack.
It was a tough call, but he sealed it up with the postgame interview, "... we got the mindset, we got the Lord and we got the coaches."

Honorable Mention: Todd Reesing (257 yards and 2 TDs), Marcus Henry (5 rec, 119 yards), Marcus Herford (3 returns, 149 yards), Joe Mortensen (9 tackles)

Play of the Week

Marcus Herford's 74-yard kick return for a TD -- it was a beautiful display of speed and teamwork, plus it got the 'Hawks rolling.

Honorable Mention: Maxwell Onyegbule's safety. Speed kills.

Team of the Week

South Florida heads into Auburn and gets the job done in overtime. Another one of the cupcakes that KU always has on their schedule.

Marcus Herford -- Special Teams Player of the Week

Junior Kick Returner Shares Big 12 Honor

"... Herford, a junior from DeSoto, Texas, had three kickoff returns for 149 yards and one touchdown in the Jayhawks' 62-0 victory against the Lions.  Herford's first attempt resulted in a 74-yard return for a score after a free kick. Herford shared the award with Brandon Foster of Texas."

Full Story

Around the North | Week #2

The Top Teams Represent

Nebraska went on the road and did what they had to do taking a 20-17 win over Wake Forest and the ACC. Sam Keller put up bigger numbers with 258 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two INTs. He was pretty shaky when the pressure was on. However, the Blackshirts look solid ... Missouri is working on a theme as they once again took a comfortable lead, then watched it quickly evaporate. The bottom line is that it was another road win over an SEC team, but no one is feeling comfortable with that defense. Chase Daniel threw for plus 300 yards and five TDs. Tony Temple had 123 yards ... Everyone was looking for a 50+ point win for Kansas as they entertained a not-so formidable FCS team in Lawrence. Cross that off the checklist as the 'Hawks started a little slow but put up a 62-0 mark. Rival fans want to know when KU will play someone. It'll be a while yet, but KU is looking sharp and the confidence is building. It'll be interesting to see how Toledo approaches a KU team that will be motivated from the start ... Kansas State got in the win column with a 34-13 home victory over a San Jose St team that was 9-4 last year. Josh Freeman completed nearly 70% of his passes and amassed 273 yards, but still managed to throw two INTs. His career TD/INT ratio is a disturbing 7/19. The rushing game showed life as James Johnson rushed for 111 yards and a TD. This game was 17-7 going into the fourth quarter ... Colorado started fast, but it looks like they're not quite ready for the big-time falling 33-14 at Arizona State. The Buffs jumped out to a 14-0 lead early, but that was it for the day as Cody Hawkins put up 42 passes and completed only 15 for 155 yards. CU rushed for 39 yards. ASU is #12 in the Sagarin rankings ... Iowa State has a long way to go and the 24-13 home loss to N. Iowa pretty much says it all. Brett Meyer threw two intereceptions and ended up as ISU's leading rusher with 50 yards on the ground. Todd Blythe caught two passes? Next up: Iowa.

North Sagarin Rankings -- Rank/Schedule
Nebraska -- 14/85
Kansas -- 25/166
Missouri -- 28/62
Colorado -- 48/26
Kansas St -- 58/74
Iowa St -- 136/115

Full Rankings

Bam! KU Rolls SE Louisiana 62-0

Running Down the Lions

Despite the 62-0 score, the beatdown actually rolled out a little slow as KU didn't seem particularly sharp with the passing game early on. It took a little help on special teams to get things rolling. The Lions started things off by snapping the ball over the punter's head for a KU safety. Marcus Herford caught a seam on the kick return and that's all he needed. KU was up 9-0 and the rest unfolded pretty much as expected. Todd Reesing had another big day with 257 yards and two touchdowns on a 13 for 23 day, but he actually started a little slow in the first half. He was off on a deep ball and threw a rollout screen into the grass (looked like an awesome play). He did seem to really get into the flow passing though after picking up some yards on a run in the third quarter. Mark Mangino mentioned constant blitzing by the Lions and that may have been a factor for Reesing in the first half. Or, maybe it was too much newspaper reading this week. Still, he has six TD passes on the year and the kids alright.

Defensively, the 'Hawks were suffocating as they clearly overmatched SLU talentwise. They seemed a little more aggresive from the start and that increased throughout the game. Everything appears to be on schedule. Bring on the Rockets.

Things I Like

• Special teams. Wow! Marcus Herford has been explosive for a while and it finally paid off with a TD on a 74-yard return. "Hot Dog" Pendleton looked good as well with 76 yards on four attempts including a 40 yard return. The kick return coverage was suffocating. All the work is paying off for the Fighting Manginos.
• Maxwell Onyegbule's speed rush for a safety ... we've been lacking that quick burst off the end. Let's see how this develops.
• Marcus Henry -- 5 catches, 119 yards. It looks like this will be a weekly entry.
• The wide receivers continue to show good skills catching the ball. As a unit, this is the best they've been since Mangino arrived.
• The defense increased intensity throughout the game. We need to see that in all 12 games.
• All three running backs look like they could be starters.
• Kerry Meier is truly a great running QB; however, I hold my breath every time he gets hit.
• The Aqib Talib Heisman campaign.

Areas of Concern

• Going for two in the first half with a 22-point lead. 100% wrong.
• Not to isolate a specific player, but I've watched Justin Thornton give up two passes so far this year. His cover skills don't appear to be improved. Is he at the right position?
• Mike Rivera had the responsibility on a screen pass in the first half and really misplayed it resulting in a long first down conversion for the Lions. Overall though, Rivera improved this week.
• Why did Jake Sharp play sparingly in the first half? Is he struggling with pass blocking assignments?
• Would have liked to see Meier throw the ball a few more times (1-1, 23 yards). However, Mangino was doing the honorable thing by running the ball in the second half.

"Last year we were kind of inexperienced, none of us had really played that much. We know what we are capable of and we have that `refuse to lose', win attitude. We know that if we run our assignments and we do what our coaches teach us, no one can beat us."

--Joe Mortensen