Following Saturday afternoon’s practice, Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino confirmed what many had speculated for nearly two weeks now.

Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing’s first career start will come Sept. 1, when the Jayhawks open their 2007 season at Memorial Stadium against reigning MAC champion Central Michigan.

“We’re going with Todd Reesing – we’ve known for several days that was the way it was going to play out,” Mangino said. “Reesing came out of the blocks ready to go, had a great deal of retention from last Spring, he showed good presence in the pocket, handled the huddle very well, he has thrown the ball well, he is managing the game very well and I would just say he’s the guy that went out and won the job.”

Reesing appeared in three games down the stretch in 2006 for a KU team that finished 6-6. Though only attempting 24 passes as a true freshman, he keyed an impressive second half comeback to knock off Colorado 20-15 on Oct. 28. He was also impressive a week later in a win over Iowa State, and struggled in the season finale in limited snaps against Missouri, a game KU dropped on the road.

With the new offense in place this season under first year offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, Reesing feels comfortable, as it compares well to what he ran as a prolific passer at Lake Travis High in Austin, Texas, two years ago.

“I’m feeling good, I’m excited, found out this morning from coach (Ed) Warinner, he called me in – just came out today really excited to get to work and stuff,” Reesing said. “With the offense we have, it allows me to use the skills I have and play to that, more than try to fit the offense, try not to make the offense do something it can’t do. We can do a lot of things by rolling out, spreading the defense out and throwing the ball, which is what I did a lot in high school, so with that it feels a lot more relaxing and natural to me.”

Reesing won the job during two-a-days over fellow sophomore Kerry Meier, who started eight games a year ago for KU.

For more on this story, read tomorrow’s Journal-World and log back onto KUSports.com.