FINAL, KU 45, ISU 7

The KU offense racked up 566 yards to ISU’s 234 in a 45-7 drubbing Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Todd Reesing finished the day with 253 yards passing and went 21-for-26 with four TDs.

The Jayhawks’ ground attack was equally impressive. Led by senior Brandon McAnderson (nine runs, 70 yards), and sophomore Jake Sharp (15 carries, 85 yards), KU totaled 37 carries and 212 yards. McAnderson’s performance put him over 1,000 yards on the season

Wide receiver Dexton Fileds tallied 11 receptions and caught two TDs to lead the receiving corps for KU.

The only negative for the Jayhawks (11-0, 7-0) were the nine penalties they were assessed for 98 yards, but coach Mark Mangino dismissed the idea that they were a real problem in his postgame press conference after KU improved to 11-0 on the season.

The Jayhawks’ defense allowed just 52 rushing yards on 26 ISU carries. Cyclones quarterbacks Bret Meyer and Austen Arnaud combined to complete 24 of 43 passing attempts for 182 yards. Austen threw the game’s only interception when Sadiq Muhammed picked him off in the second quarter.

ISU running back Alexander Robinson, who averaged 2.7 yards on 20 carries scored ISU’s lone TD in the second quarter.

It was announced during the game that KU’s regular season finale next Saturday against rival Missouri (10-1, 6-1 in Big 12) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., will begin at 7 p.m. The game will be telivised by ABC and the winner will clinch the Big 12 North title.

Fourth, 2:39, KU 45, ISU 7

Robinson rushed for 21 yards, his longest run of the day, on first down. After a short Arnaud run, he misfired on second down, setting up a third and eight from ISU’s 31 yard line. Robinson caught a screen pass, but only picked up two yards.

Webb caught the following punt at KU’s 17 yard line. With 4:29 remaining in the game, KU went to the run and Angus Quigley got his first carry of the day, picking up 12 on first down. Quigley ran again on the following play for nine more yards. Meier then hit seldom-used wideout Jonathan Wilson deep for a 35-yard gain.

Quigley ran in a score from 14 yards out that gave KU a 45-7 lead following Webb’s kick.

Fourth, KU 38, ISU 7

On third and 14 Meyer had Blythe deep down the right sideline, but overthrew him.

Webb caught Brandtner’s punt near KU’s 35, fumbled it, and the ball was recovered by Derek Fine. Meier came in to replace Reesing at quarterback to open the fourth quarter for KU. But ISU forced a three-and-out following a nine-yard completion to Fields on third down that left KU just shy of a first down.

The ISU was inept on the first two plays of its next drive. Arnaud threw an incomplete pass on first down and Robinson was tackled 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage on second down. Talib broke up a pass intended for Blythe, forcing another ISU punt.

Webb eluded a number of tackles on a 53-yard punt, but a pair of illegal block-in-the-back penalties negated what would have been nearly a 20-yard return. Meier handed the ball to Sharp for a five-yard run to start his second drive of the night. Meier appeared to pick up a first down on a run, but a holding penalty led to second and 11. Meier then hit Sharp in the right flat for a six-yard gain. On third down, Meier found Briscoe over the middle for 12 yards and a first down.

Fields caught a Meier throw in stride for a seven-yard gain that put KU in ISU territory. Sharp then ran four yards for a first down. Meier found Fine on the left sideline for a 17-yard gain, putting the ball on ISU’s 24.

Sharp found ISU defenders waiting for him and got back to the line of scrimmage on first down. Meier threw to Fields for six yards and KU got in the red zone for third down. KU picked up a first down on a Fine reception at the 13 yard line.

Meier faked a handoff to Sharp and ran right for nine yards, getting the ball inside the five yard line. Meier went back to Fine for a four-yard TD. Webb’s kick gave KU a 31-point advantage.

End of third, KU 31, ISU 7

A Meyer deep ball intended for Blythe was swatted away by Talib on third and 10, but Talib was called for pass interference on the play.

On first and ten from their own 34, Meyer was sacked by Joe Mortensen for an eight-yard loss. Arnaud picked up eight yards on second down, but overthrew Moses on third down.

The ensuing Brandtner punt went out of bounds at the KU five, giving him a 61-yard punt. Starting deep in its own territory, KU gave the ball to McAnderson to open the drive and he responded with a nine-yard gain on first down and a 17-yard run on second.

Sharp came in on the next play to give McAnderson a breather and ran for 16 yards and another first down. The next play was an end around that Fields got two yards on. Sharp ran left for two more on second down, setting up a third and six. Reesing shoveled a pass to Sharp, who was tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Tucker’s 52-yard punt went into the end zone, giving ISU the ball at its own 20. Meyer completed the first throw of the drive to Catlett, setting up second and short. He ran an option right to Robinson for a first down.

A screen pass from Meyer to Robinson went nowhere on first down when Chris Harris covered it perfectly. The following play, another screen to Robinson, was sniffed out by John Larson, On third and 14, ISU let the final seconds of the third quarter tick off.

7:53, KU 31, ISU 7

The odd quarterback rotation continued for ISU in the third quarter as Meyer came in after Arnaud played a few snaps on the opening possession. KU’s defense has had the number of both QBs, however, and forced a three-and-out.

Anthony Webb went to field the ISU punt and kick-catch interference was called, giving KU the ball at its own 37 yard line.

The drive opened with a Sharp run for four yards. On second down Reesing hit a wide-open Henry on the left sideline. Reesing was hit late on the play and a 15-yard penalty gave KU the ball at ISU’s 24 yard line.

A play-action pass to Henry was too low on first down. McAnderson ran the ball up the middle for four yards, setting up third and six at ISU’s 20. Reesing threw a fade to Henry on the left sideline, but the pass took Henry out of bounds, leading to a 37-yard field goal by Scott Webb.

Third, KU 28, ISU 7

ISU return man Milan Moses took the second half kickoff at the goal line and ran 32 yards to open the third quarter.

Robinson was tackled by Talib after picking up six yards on a run to open the drive. Robinson ran for a yard on second down and on the next play Arnaud completed a pass to Marquis Hamilton for an 11-yard gain.

The KU defense stopped the Cyclones’ drive after that, forcing a punt. Mike Brandtner’s punt was downed by the ISU coverage team inside KU’s one yard line, but a booth review determined that Robinson, who secured the punt, stepped on the end zone line, making it a touchback instead.

Reesing picked up where he left off in the first half, hitting Fields for a six-yard gain on the first KU offensive play of the second half. McAnderson then converted another short pass for a first down.

After rare misfires on the next two plays, Reesing was tackled at the line of scrimmage by ISU’s Rashawn Parker, forcing a punt.

Half, KU 28, ISU 7

Faced with a two-minute drill scenario, ISU got down the field in a hurry, but Meyer was pressured and threw an incomplete pass on a fourth and five at the KU 30 yard line.

With 26 second left and a three-TD lead, Reesing took a knee and the Jayhawks headed to the locker room looking like they might actually cover the spread – 27.

Reesing went 17-for-18 in the first half, throwing for 221 yards and four TDS along the way. McAnderson had six rushes for 44 yards and Sharp carried eight times for 51 yards.

Fields has been the primary target thus far with seven receptions, 82 yards and two TDs. Henry has three catches for 72 yards and a score.

Chris Harris tallied seven tackles, to lead KU.

The Cyclones’ Meyer has thrown 22 times, completing just 13 for 99 yards. Alexander Robinson netted 16 yards on the ground, but scored ISU’s lone TD.

Meyer’s favorite target entering the contest, Blythe, has two catches for 20 yards. ISU’s leading receiver is Marquis Hamilton, who has four catches and 75 yards.

1:56, second quarter, KU 28, ISU 7

Sharp ran for 25 yards to jumpstart KU’s drive following the Cyclones’ first score. He ran twice more for 16 more yards before being hit in the backfield by ISU’s Alvin Bowen on second and one at the ISU 27.

Facing a third and three on the ISU 29, KU took a timeout with 2:17 to go in the half. On the following play, KU bunched five wide receivers on the right side and Reesing hit Meier, who followed four blockers for a four-yard pickup and a first down.

Reesing then hit McAnderson in the flat for a seven-yard gain. On the following play, Reesing hit Meier as he ran down the middle of the field. Meier caught the ball over his inside shoulder and bobbled it, before securing the ball for an 18-yard TD.

3:54, second quarter, KU 21, ISU 7

Meyer returned to the Cyclones lineup after a brief absence. The Cyclones picked up a chunk of yardage when KU was hit with a 15-yard facemask penalty. On first and 10 from its own 48, Meyer overthrew his intended target. On second down, Meyer kept the ball and ran five yards to the left. After he stepped out of bounds, Darrell Stuckey hit Meyer and the Jayhawks were again assessed with a 15-yard personal foul, advancing the ball to the KU 32 yard line.

Joe Mortensen sniffed out a reverse run on first down and Meyer misfired on a pass intended for Blythe on second and 13. Facing a tough third down on KU’s 35, Meyer hit R.J. Sumrall, but Aqib Talib was all over it, limiting the play to four yards.

ISU went for it on fourth and nine and was rewarded for their gamble when KU was called for defensive holding on a Meyer pass attempt.

Meyer hit his running back, Robinson, for an eight-yard gain on first down. Robinson then ran the ball up the middle, setting up third and short ath KU’s 11 yard line. Meyer hit tight end Derrick Catlett on a play-action pass to pick up the first down.

Six yards away from the end zone, Meyer threw the ball away on first down. The next play, however, he pitched left to Robinson, who ran it in for ISU’s first score.

8:42, second quarter, KU 21, ISU 0

ISU’s Meyer left the game and Austen Arnaud hit Marquis Hamilton for 46 yards, setting up a first down on KU’s 23 yard line.

After being called for a snap infraction, Robinson was hit in the backfield for a four-yard loss. On third and 14, KU’s Sadiq Muhammed picked off a Arnaud pass at the 19 yards to give the ball back to KU.

McAnderson got the first two carries of the drive, picking up five and seven yards to garner a first down. Jake Sharp came in for the next play and ran six yards, but gained only a yard on his next run. On third and three Reesing eluded pressure and ran five yards for a first down.

After a short completion to Fields on first down, Reesing threw underneath to Tartavian Ingram for four yards. On third and three, Reesing hit Henry across the middle and he ran the rest of the way to the end zone for a 51-yard TD.

Reesing is 13-for-14 with 185 yards and three TD passes.

1:57, first quarter, KU 14, ISU 0

Following a big kickoff return by ISU, KU forced a three-and-out.

KU picked up a first down when Reesing hit Fields. KU got another first down when ISU was called for pass interference on a Reesing throw to Meier.

Jake Sharp ran left for a first down, placing the Jayhawks on ISU’s 35 yard line. Reesing then threw over two members of the ISU secondary to hit Meier on the right sideline near the 16 yard line.

Reesing was pressured and had to throw the ball away on first down. Reesing then hit Dexton Fields for a 16-yard TD.

5:27, first quarter, KU 7, ISU 0

KU started its second drive on its own 18. McAnderson ran for another would-be first down, but Briscoe was called for holding. On first-and-14 McAnderson ran up the gut for 10 yards. Then Reesing hit Dexton Fields for a 23-yard gain.

Reesing was nearly sacked before hitting Henry for another first down. Herford picked up seven yards on an end around that also had option qualities to it with Reesing faking a pitch to Kerry Meier. That gain was negated by ISU’s Jesse Smith, who sacked Reesing. On third-and-11, Reesing hit Henry for a gain of seven. On fourth-and-four, KU went for it and Reesing kept the drive alive by running right for seven yards.

McAnderson took a pitch from Reesing on first down and ran nine yards. On second down, Reesing hit Fields on the left flank and he ran it in untouched to put KU up 7-0, following a Scott Webb extra point.

10:09, first quarter, game tied at 0-0

ISU won the coin flip and deferred to the second half. KU’s Marcus Herford fielded the kick at the 13 and took it 25 yards to the KU 38.

After a McAnderson carry for three yards, Reesing was flushed from the pocket and hit Dezmon Briscoe for five yards on second down. Sharp ran right for what appeared to be a first down, but Cesar Rodriguez was called for holding, settin up a third and 12. Reesing found McAnderson for a completion that was two yards shy of a first down.

Kyle Tucker’s punt was fair caught by Drenard Williams at the ISU 13-yard line.

Bret Meyer completed a pass to tight end Ben Barkema for five yards. Alexander Robinson was stuffed on second down. On third and five Meyer completed a seven-yard pass to keep the drive alive.

Meyer, then, found Todd Blythe for another first down. Robinson had a run for no gain on first down and on second, picked up just one yard on another carry. Meyer floated an intended screen pass that hit the turf after being deflected by Mike Rivera.

ISU punter Mike Brandtner’s punt went 46 yards and was fair caught by Anthony Webb – a rarity.

Pregame

Following Arizona’s upset of Oregon Thursday night, the Kansas University football team needs to avoid looking past Iowa State today at Memorial Stadium in order to, most likely, move into the No. 2 spot in the BCS standings heading into the Border Showdown next Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

The Jayhawks (10-0, 6-0 in Big 12) host the Cyclones (3-8, 2-5) this afternoon in the last home game of the season for KU. A Jayhawks victory today would give KU an 11-0 record for the first time in school history and an unprecedented seven conference wins.

This is the season finale for ISU, playing under first-year coach Gene Chizik. Although the Cyclones started the season 1-8, they have won their last two games – against Kansas State and Colorado – and hung around against Oklahoma and at Missouri in their two most recent setbacks. ISU trailed Coloradu, 21-0, at halftime last week before rallying for a 31-28 win.

The Cyclones offensive attack will be led by senior quarterback Bret Meyer, tha all-time ISU leader in passing yards and total yards. His main target is wide receiver Todd Blythe, a 6-foot-5 senior, whose 31 career TD catches is tied for third in Big 12 history. He enters today’s game with 3,076 career reception yards.

KU will look to limit the Meyer-Blythe combination and if the Jayhawks defense (allowing just 14.9 points per game, second nationally) keeps playing like it has – recording at least two interceptions on defense in six of the last eight games – KU should continue its remarkable 2007 run. As long as the KU offense continues to play to its potential, that is.

The Jayhawks, No. 4 in the AP, USA Today and Harris Interactive polls, are 10th in the nation in total offense and second in scoring offense. Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing is averaging 264.7 yards passing and has thrown 26 TDs and only four interceptions while appearing from nowhere in the Heisman race.