Despite early-season struggles with his team’s offensive line, Kansas University coach Mark Mangino said recently that he didn’t anticipate changing any of the unit’s personnel, including his two red-shirt freshmen tackles, Jeremiah Hatch (right tackle) and Jeff Spikes (left tackle).

Mangino didn’t waver from his proclamation during Saturday’s 35-33 victory over Iowa State, but he did add a twist: Hatch started the game at left tackle and Spikes at right.

“Hatchie has progressed a little faster, because he’s probably a little bit quicker of foot,” Mangino said. “So he protects the back side a little bit better right now than Jeff does.”

Hatch spent the afternoon protecting QB Todd Reesing’s blind side while Spikes rotated with Ben Lueken, a freshman who saw his first action.

While Mangino appeared pleased with the switch, the changes at offensive line, at least on Saturday, didn’t seem to greatly enhance the Jayhawks’ front line. Reesing was sacked a season-worst three times and was forced to flush the pocket on multiple occasions – especially during a first half in which he threw for just 59 yards and an interception.

“It’s not that Jeff isn’t doing well,” Mangino said. “It’s just that Hatch is really progressing at a fast pace, and his quick feet really allow him to really get good sets out there at the back of the quarterback.”

Fields, Harper return

Injured Kansas seniors Dexton Fields and Kendrick Harper returned to the Jayhawks’ lineup as expected, both making starts

Fields, a senior receiver, caught a six-yard pass on a fourth-and-three play from the ISU 32 to set up Kerry Meier’s 23-yard touchdown reception and later snagged a 50-yard pass from Reesing to finish with two catches for 56 yards.

Harper, however, didn’t fare as well. The cornerback was regularly beaten by Iowa State receivers in his first game back since being taken from the field on a stretcher during the first quarter of Kansas’ victory over Louisiana Tech in Week 2.

Reesing moving up

Reesing’s 319-yard performance helped him pass David Jaynes (5,132 yards) and Kelly Donohoe (5,382) and move to No. 2 on KU’s all-time leading passer list with 5,414 yards.

Reesing is less than 1,000 yards away from the No. 1 spot held by Frank Seurer, who amassed 6,410 yards.