Gunning it

Surely, a couple of KU fans gasped when they saw quarterback Todd Reesing streaking down the left sideline against Baylor last week as a gunner while Kerry Meier was punting the football.

After all, Lawrence isn’t exactly the historical home of the healthy quarterback. Taking chances with Reesing might not be popular.

But there’s a reason for it. The 15th-ranked Jayhawks set up in that kind of punting formation to have the option of passing for a first down if the punt defense isn’t accounting for everyone. Reesing, a former high school wide receiver, motions out wide while Meier, KU’s backup quarterback, gets behind center.

“When we shift, people see it,” Meier said. “If they don’t cover somebody up, I see it and I can always check to it and get that first down. Otherwise, if it’s covered up and everybody’s guarded, I can kick it.”

Now that it’s on film, expect opposing teams to always be aware of the possibilities.

“I came to the conclusion at the end of last season that good offensive football, unless you have 22 elite blue-chip prospects, you have to think outside the box a little bit,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “You’ve got to find ways to keep the defense off balance. That’s essentially what we’re doing.”

Working it out

Obviously, KU punt-return specialist Anthony Webb will be spending some time this week learning the art of the fair catch.

While Webb exhibited good hands and fearlessness in fielding punts against Baylor, he more than once attempted a return when a fair catch was by far the best option.

“He attacks the ball. He has no fear. That’s two things we’re looking for,” Mangino said. “He’s learning. We just put him there last week.”

Webb and freshman Dezmon Briscoe both worked returning punts against Baylor, though Mangino hopes to have one guy doing it exclusively starting Saturday.

New kickoff time

If you had something planned for the 14 minutes before Saturday’s Kansas-Colorado game, cancel it.

The start time for Saturday’s game will be 4:31 p.m. CST, not 4:45 p.m. as originally reported. The game will be televised in high-definition by ESPN (Sunflower Broadband channels 33, 233).

Respecting Talib

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said Tuesday that he considers KU cornerback Aqib Talib the best athlete his team will face to this point.

“We thought he was pretty good last year and we think he is better this year, if that is doable,” Hawkins said. “He is talented. Not only is he fast, he is physical and he has a good feel for defending routes, as well.”

However, Hawkins hinted that he has no interest in gameplanning around Talib’s side of the field.

“You have to be concerned about him but you can’t let one guy cancel out one whole side of your passing game,” Hawkins said. “So you just have to do a good job of throwing the ball and getting open on his side.”

Hitting the wall

Freshman running back Carmon Boyd-Anderson did not play against Baylor, while backups Donte Bean and Angus Quigley both received carries.

After being praised in the preseason, Boyd-Anderson has slipped a little bit.

“He got a little overwhelmed, but he’s going to be a really good player,” Mangino said. “What he’s going through is common. It’s probably the rule rather than the exception.”

Players of the game

Sophomore running back Jake Sharp was named KU’s offensive player of the game for the Baylor game after rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries.

Mike Rivera (eight tackles) and Chris Harris (six tackles, interception) shared defensive honors. Kick-returner Marcus Herford was cited for special teams.