Offensive strategies compliment quarterback

Familiar style helps Reesing excel, exceed coaches’ expectations

By Asher Fusco

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

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