Thursday, September 20, 2007
When Kansas coach Mark Mangino and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner designed the team’s new offense last spring, sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing had not yet become starting quarterback Todd Reesing.
Luckily for Mangino and Warinner, Reesing has flourished as the field general of the new system. But that may not be purely coincidental – the team’s new offense fits the team’s new quarterback like a glove.
“What we’re trying to do suits Todd,” Warinner said. “We play to his strengths by trying to keep the field spread out. He can look around and see who he wants to throw to and it gives him some options.”
Reesing, who played at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, is no stranger to the style of offense that Warinner installed. During his high school career, Reesing took snaps in the shotgun formation with four wide receivers – the same kind of offense he commands at Kansas.
The possibilities are more varied in a college offense, Reesing said, but the bootleg passing plays and read-option running plays are similar to the schemes he used at Lake Travis.
“There are definitely a lot of similarities,” Reesing said. “It has helped me feel more comfortable because I did it for three years in high school, so it’s helped me adjust.”
Reesing seems to have mastered any sort of adjustments he has faced as a starter thus far. Through three games he has completed 56 percent of his passes for 831 yards and thrown 10 touchdowns without a single interception. Reesing’s 174.49 passing efficiency rating ranks second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, and 10th in the nation, near famous names like Colt Brennan of Hawaii and Brian Brohm of Louisville.
“We just want him to operate our offense, be a leader and execute plays,” Mangino said. “If he does the things he’s supposed to do, some respect and national attention could be a byproduct of taking care of business here.”
Reesing’s numbers might be even more impressive had Kansas receivers not dropped eight catchable passes last week against Toledo. Despite the dropped passes, he bounced back and finished with 313 passing yards and 19 rushing yards. Mangino said the quarterback’s ability to deal with adversity was one of the ways he had exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations.
Reesing’s rushing total included an impressive 13-yard option scamper around the right edge of the offensive line – a play Kansas used several times against an aggressive Toledo defense.
Each new wrinkle the coaches throw into the offense could be a surprise to fans, media and especially opposing defenders. But chances are Reesing will have seen it before.
— Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
Quarterback fights through adversity against Toledo
Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing led Kansas to a 45-13 victory over Toledo ...
Offensive pieces have fallen into place
The addition of offensive coordinator Ed Warinner has proven beneficial for Kansas, ...
Reesing’s instinct measures up
Todd Reesing four inches shorter than fellow quarterback Kerry Meier, but Reesing ...
Returning coordinator gives offense a makeover
With the return of Ed Warinner, Kansas has worked to form a ...
Offensive coordinator brings new style
The KU football team will start this fall with a new offensive ...
Reesing will start over Meier
Sophomore Todd Reesing will be the Jayhawks’ 2007 starting quarterback, coach Mark ...
New players, new plan
A gutsy fourth-down decision by coach Mark Mangino sparked an outstanding performance ...
Preparation finally ready to pay off
A new offensive coordinator, starting quarterback and a few other roster changes ...
Quarterback position yet to be decided
Performance level during spring practices help determine the fall lineup. This year, ...
Reesing pulls ahead in quarterback race
Coach Mangino made it clear during media day that sophomore Todd Reesing ...
Mangino goes all out for win
Kansas wasn't conservative in its season-opener, going for a fourth-and-one and showcasing ...
Team fares well statistically against weaker opposition
Though KU stands near the top of the nation in many statistical ...
Kicking around new ideas
Former starting quarterback Kerry Meier has played many roles on the team ...
Football Notes: November 19, 2007
Here's what's going on in college football
Kansas clings to victory, avoids upset against ...
Defense struggles heavily but the offense picks up the slack.
Others’ trash is Kansas’ treasure
Schools such as Oklahoma and Texas looked past Kansas players Tood Reesing, ...
Big 12 experiences offensive explosion
Typically Big 12 offenses are known for smashmouth football. But this year ...
Talib’s leap sparks team’s takeoff
Kansas started a bit slowly during Saturday’s game against Toledo at Memorial ...
Kansas easily topples Toledo 45-13
The Jayhawks avenged last season's double-overtime loss to the Toledo Rockets with ...
Returning players secure a strong offense
Proven playmakers will provide a good backbone to this year’s football team.
Reesing's book offers look inside the lines
Former Jayhawk quarterback Todd Reesing recently co-authored a book about his life ...
They’re not in Texas anymore
Kansas’ Todd Reesing and Mizzou’s quarterback Chase Daniel are both from Texas, ...
Jayhawks turn the tables against Huskers
In its last 38 games against Nebraska, the Kansas football team had ...
Press Box: Kansas vs. Toledo
Here's the view from press row at the Kansas vs. Toledo game.
Captains prepare team for coming season
Mangino sees promise in four new team leaders, on the field and ...
Football Notes: November 12, 2007
Notes on the Kansas vs. Oklahoma Game
Reesing should get Heisman attention
Featured in just about every all-time best college football highlight reel, former ...
Reesing’s height not an issue for Jayhawks
At 5-foot-11, quarterback Todd Reesing’s height kept him from getting offers at ...
Steward switches from quarterback to tight end
Offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said redshirt freshman Steward was versatile and would ...
Talib succeeds on other side of ball
Aqib Talib is known for his skills at cornerback, but this season ...
Football season failed to reach expectations
Jayhawks got off to a strong start, finished surprisingly low.
Football Notes: November 5, 2007
Here's this weeks Football Notes on the KU vs. NU game.
Wide receivers key to Saturday’s victory
Quarterback Reesing credits teammates with yard-gaining adjustment.
Reesing looking to make improvements
Quaterback works on skills both on and off the field.
Close, but not enough
Despite doing better than expected, the Jayhawks couldn’t stop Oklahoma’s surging offense.
New Game Plan
Coach Mark Mangino shook up his lineup in Kansas' 38-14 victory over ...
Run — not pass — moves Kansas’ ...
Jayhawks are seeing fewer pass plays and more run plays as defenses ...
Reesing a star at Big 12 Media ...
Mangino said the quarterback will have to zone out all the hype ...
Meier’s many talents fill out the field
Playing new positions is no sweat for the senior wide reciever.
Keefer: Sloppy spring start leaves room for ...
A rough beginning to the season gives new recruit, Jocques Crawford, many ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID