Setting records

The Jayhawks have made a habit of setting new school records each week. Last Saturday’s victory lifted Kansas to 8-0, the program’s best start since 1909. In fact, Kansas has only won eight or more games in 12 seasons in its history. The team is now 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 1992 and has won three conference road games for the first time since the 1995 season. In the 11-year history of the Big 12 Conference, Kansas had never defeated two Big 12 South opponents: this year the team posted wins against Baylor and Texas A&M. Some Jayhawks moved up the individual record books as well. Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing passed his way to ninth on the single-season passing yards list with 1,985 and senior running back Brandon McAnderson set a Kansas season-high and personal career-high with 183 rushing yards.

Harper’s big day

Junior cornerback Kendrick Harper finally found some substantial playing time and capitalized in a big way. Harper, who missed the first four games of the season with an arm injury, earned his first career start and recorded a career-high seven tackles including two tackles-for-loss and one of the hits Harper made behind the line of scrimmage was impressive enough to warrant multiple replays on ESPN2. The junior college transfer also flourished in pass coverage. Even with Texas A&M quarterback staying away from Kansas’ All-Big 12 cornerback Aqib Talib, Harper held Texas A&M wide receiver Pierre Brown reception-less. After the game Mangino said Harper played well but had not replaced freshman cornerback Chris Harris as the team’s number two option at cornerback. Harris played less on Saturday than he had in any game so far this season and he did not make any tackles.

Special teams

For the first time in 2007, the strength of Kansas’ special teams was the punt game. Senior punter Kyle Tucker booted three punts and averaged 43.3 yards per punt. Tucker’s most impressive punt sailed 49 yards and was expertly covered by Kansas junior wide receiver Micah Brown, who brought the returner down for a one-yard loss. The Kansas kicking game struggled mightily, as senior kicker Scott Webb missed three field goals. Texas A&M defensive end Chris Harrington blocked Webb’s first attempt, a 27-yarder that would have put Kansas on top, 3-0. Later in the second quarter, Webb barely misfired, sending a 31-yard attempt bouncing off of the left upright. In the fourth quarter, Webb pulled a field goal just wide of the right pylon. The 33-yard kick would have given Kansas a 22-3 advantage with 3:57 remaining in the game. Webb did make two field goals to bring his season total to 13-of-17.

Military Appreciation Day

Texas A&M celebrated its rich armed forces tradition on Military Appreciation Day by welcoming former president and Aggie alum George H. Bush and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to Kyle Field for a halftime ceremony that included an elaborate performance by the Fighting Aggie marching band. Before kickoff, Texas A&M linebacker Mark Dodge received the Pat Tillman Patriot Award for his time in the military before becoming an Aggie. The announced attendance of 85,341 is the largest crowd Kansas had played in front of since 1979 when the team visited Michigan. Despite Texas A&M’s early-game ineptitude, the crowd stuck around and stayed loud until the end of the game. The crowd was at full throat for the duration of the contest and lived up to its reputation by literally swaying the press box during the pregame Aggie War Chant.

A&M offense struggles

Texas A&M’s rushing offense never had a chance to get rolling because of Kansas’ 13-point third quarter. Saturday marked the seventh time in eight games the Jayhawks jumped out to a lead and the sixth time Kansas has held its opponent scoreless in the first half. Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee enjoyed one of his most productive passing games of the season, with 244 yards and a touchdown. But McGee’s exploits proved too little too late as the Aggies could only put one touchdown on the scoreboard before time ran out.

Not here to see KU

Representatives from the Independence and Texas bowls watched Saturday’s game from the press box. In the past, bowl officials from lower-tier events such as the Independence or Texas bowls might have been in attendance to scout the Jayhawks. But this time, the representatives were checking in on the underperforming Aggies. At 8-0 and first place in the Big 12, the Jayhawks sights are set a bit higher — Kansas could be headed for the Holiday Bowl, Cotton Bowl or a BCS bowl come the holiday season. Texas A&M, which is 6-3 and facing a difficult schedule, could finish 6-6 and miss the postseason completely.

Is it basketball season yet?

The Aggies, who traditionally field a strong football team, could catch themselves looking forward to basketball season. The Texas A&M basketball squad, which earned third place in the Big 12 preseason poll, was the center of attention in between the first and second quarter when the stadium video screen displayed a flashy montage dedicated to Turgeon.

— Asher Fusco