Wednesday, September 26, 2007
After Kerry Meier lost the starting quarterback job in the preseason, everyone, Meier included, thought his role would be to serve as Todd Reesing’s backup. Everyone except Kansas coach Mark Mangino.
Mangino adheres to a stern philosophy that getting the best players on the field regardless of their position translates into victories. And nothing illustrates that belief better than what Kansas did with Meier on Saturday. In the first quarter, Meier entered the game as a receiver.
“We’ve worked on that for a considerable amount of time, the key was if Kerry was healthy enough to do it,” Mangino said. “Kerry is too good of an athlete to spend all of his time on the sidelines.”
Meier hadn’t spent all of his time on the sidelines in 2007, though. He appeared in each of the Jayhawks first three games as a quarterback with impressive results. Meier completed nine of 11 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
Meier’s success passing this season and experience from starting eight games last year made it clear that he was a valuable asset as one of the Big 12 Conference’s best second-string quarterbacks.
Sophomore quarterback/wide receiver Kerry Meier carries the ball up the field Saturday night during the game against Florida International.
But after the win against Florida International on Saturday, it became clear that Meier’s impact this season might be made from catching the ball — not throwing it. Meier said he was enthusiastic about his new responsibility.
“The first three weeks I was waiting all the way through the third quarter just to get in and getting antsy on the sidelines,” he said. “Two weeks ago when we came up with the package we had, I was all for it and very excited for it.”
Meier said he had never played as a receiver at any level of football but was dedicating himself to learning the nuances of the position. He’s already off to a good start.
On Meier’s first career play as a wide out, Reesing fired him the ball on a short route to the right side. Meier caught the pass and rumbled past FIU defenders for 15 yards and a first down like a seasoned veteran.
Kansas ran an option featuring Meier on the next play. Reesing pitched Meier the football and he showed a burst of speed for six more yards. Reesing said giving his fellow quarterback and friend a chance to make plays is important.
“We want to find a way to get him on the field,” Reesing said. “We’re going to continue to use him because he’s a threat with his size and speed.”
Meier wasn’t the only Jayhawk to find himself at an unfamiliar position during that possession. Before one play, Reesing motioned out to the left side and abandoned senior running back Brandon McAnderson alone in the backfield for a direct snap.
Two quarterbacks playing at the same time seemed strange enough, but when neither of them lined up behind center it was especially out of the ordinary. When Mangino was asked whether the new packages featuring Meier were shown in order to make Kansas more difficult to prepare for, he couldn’t help but slightly grin.
“I hope so, that’s kind of the intent,” Mangino said. “But we still have to execute in all those formations with all that personnel. The key is to sustain it, be consistent and continue to go on. I believe we will but we have to work at it.”
— Edited by Ashlee Kieler
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