It was one year ago against Colorado when Kansas University quarterback Todd Reesing made his impressive college football debut.

After KU stumbled to a 9-0 halftime deficit on Oct. 28, 2006, Reesing had his red shirt lifted for the second half and sparked a comeback that ended with a 20-15 Kansas victory.

“He had his coming-out party against us,” CU coach Dan Hawkins said.

Reesing passed for 106 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 90 more yards in the half, keeping KU’s bowl chances alive for another week. It was a decision, coach Mark Mangino says now, that the KU coaches had to make.

“We just couldn’t go on under those conditions. It was demoralizing to the team,” Mangino said. “We were inept at moving the football. He came in and did a great job.”

Reesing has built a nice structure on that foundation. Now a sophomore, the Austin, Texas, native has passed for 1,652 yards with 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season.

Without question, Reesing has been a key figure in KU’s 6-0 start. Mangino is of the belief that Reesing’s cameo in the 2006 season made it possible.

“He had experienced being on the field, being in charge of the offense in a big-time setting,” Mangino said. “He definitely benefited from that time.”

¢Above the rim: Many of KU’s football players like to play basketball in the offseason. Being elite athletes, many can get above the rim and dunk the ball, too.

But who’s the best at throwing down?

“I’d say Kyle Tucker,” cornerback Chris Harris said.

The punter?

“I don’t know about the best,” Tucker responded, “but I can do a few dunks. I don’t go through the legs, but I can do the windmill, up-and-under reverse. I can leap, and I’ve got some long arms, too. That helps.”

Tucker’s too humble to name himself No. 1, but he did throw out other nominees.

“Marcus Henry. He’s good,” Tucker said. “Ray B. (Raymond Brown), he can dunk pretty well. I’d say I’m top 10, at least.”

¢Not many penalties: Kansas has the fewest penalties of any team in the Bowl Subdivision, with just 22 in six games.

Of course, playing inferior opponents makes a team less likely to need to commit a penalty such as holding. But it also might be a sign of discipline in KU’s program.

“We tell our kids all the time, keep your poise, and do things in a proper way,” Mangino said. “One penalty can kill a drive. We’ve been pretty good so far, and we need to maintain our ability to do that.”

¢Nice view: Chances are, KU linebacker Joe Mortensen is loving life in the Centennial State right now.

“I like staying in Colorado,” Mortensen said earlier this week. “The hotel’s nice, and you can open up your window and the Rockies are right there.”

He’s not referring to the baseball team, which is preparing for the World Series. But, rather, the Rocky Mountains, which give Boulder and the surrounding area a beautiful backdrop.

“I always look forward to traveling,” Mortensen said. “I don’t think it messes up the routine. For the young guys, it’s definitely a good experience to go out there.”

¢Nowhere to be found: Colorado senior Bernard Jackson started at quarterback for the Buffaloes last year against the Jayhawks. But he’s not playing at all this time around.

After being moved to a different role to showcase his athleticism – a little QB, a little receiver and maybe even some safety – Jackson was declared academically ineligible and is “very unlikely” to ever return, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Jackson still is on scholarship and roams the sidelines for home games. He was named team captain before the season but now is focusing on graduating rather than playing. His captain duties were handed off to offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus.

“It’s all something I wish I’d never experienced, but it’s part of life,” Jackson told the newspaper.