KU stages unforgettable comeback victory

Monday, December 1, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Through the falling snow, the clock read 00:33. Just longer than half a minute. What can you do in 33 seconds? Warm up a bowl of soup? Take out the trash? Turn the fortunes of two schools and two states on a single play?

The scoreboard said Missouri 37, Kansas 33. The snow fell, and more than 75,000 breathed warm air into their hands. It was a frozen fourth-and-seven from the 26 yard line. Mark Mangino didn’t need a Hail Mary. He needed a rosary.

Photo by Ryan McGeeney

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel pitches a last-second pass as sophomore defensive end Jake Laptad takes him to the ground in the KU end zone. Missouri's line of scrimmage began at the two yard line after a deep punt from the Jayhawks in the first half of Saturday's Border War game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Todd Reesing stood in the shotgun, Kerry Meier stood 20 feet to his right. And it might be a good time to tell you that Reesing couldn’t lift his right arm last Monday. It had been killing him since the Nebraska game. And if this story isn’t dramatic enough, Meier’s hamstring was shot. He’d barely practiced since the Texas game two weeks ago. But this wasn’t the time to think about injuries. This was Kansas vs. Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. This was the Border Showdown. And the clock read 00:33.

Reesing had already led Kansas to one come-from-behind drive. Kansas’ leader had already thrown for 349 yards. Meier had already caught one come-from-behind touchdown — an eight-yard corner of the end zone strike with 4:26 remaining in the fourth. He had already caught 13 passes.

But behind the speed of Jeremy Maclin, the strength of Chase Coffman and the arm of Chase Daniel, Missouri’s brilliant offense responded with a seven-play, 73 yard touchdown drive.

So Reesing stood in the shotgun, and looked across the line as two Missouri linebackers crept towards the line of scrimmage. Would they blitz?

“They had been bluffing a lot all day,” Reesing would say.

If they blitzed, Reesing knew they’d have to drop into man coverage. There’d only be five defenders to cover Kansas’ four wide receivers. But Reesing had seen this before. Twelve months ago to be exact. He had stood in the shotgun during last year’s Border War, futilely attempting to save Kansas’ undefeated 2007. But 12 months ago, Kansas’ line collapsed and Reesing ended up with a facemask full of Arrowhead turf.

The clock read 0:33. Reesing looked to his left, and back to the line. Reesing took the snap, and as a thousand chilled faces looked on, Missouri blitzed. This time, Kansas’ line stood firm.

Reesing looked to his left for Dezmon Briscoe and began to throw.

“The initial read wasn’t there,” Reesing would say. “I just started moving around and praying.”

Photo Gallery

Kansas Football vs. Missouri

Photo gallery of Saturday's game against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

At that moment, as the pocket began to collapse, Meier — sensing a breakdown — streaked past Missouri safety Justin Garrett to the end zone. And that was it. Reesing — in classic Todd-fashion — bought a second of extra time and stepped up in the pocket. Meier — in classic Kerry-fashion — looked up into the snow and cradled Reesing’s perfectly lofted ball for a touchdown.

“He played tonight on one good leg,” Mangino would say of Meier.

Of course, the Jayhawks would have to stop one final Chase Daniel charge. And of course, they would.

And then, as the celebration raged, Kansas senior Joe Mortensen grabbed the Indian War Drum, the trophy given to the winner of the Border Showdown, and headed for the stands. The Jayhawks danced around the faded grass at Arrowhead Stadium. At that moment, maybe Reesing’s shoulder didn’t feel so sore, and maybe Meier’s hamstring didn’t throb quite as much. In a matter of seconds, they crushed the hopes of a million Tigers, and made sure a million Jayhawks would never forget Reesing to Meier with 33 seconds left.

“I’m so proud,” Mangino would say.

Through the snow and tears, the clock read 00:00.

— — Edited by Arthur Hur

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