Monday, December 1, 2008
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Todd Reesing’s shot put pass to Kerry Meier with 27 seconds left will deservedly be placed on the mantle among the greatest Border Showdown moments. It sent KU into hysterics, and the blocked field goal moments later ignited pandemonium for everyone in crimson and blue.
Sophomore wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe fends off a Missouri defender during Saturday's Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Briscoe rushed for 310 yards throughout the game, which culminated in a 40-37 Jayhawk victory over the Tigers.
But every big Kansas play on Saturday, and there were plenty of them, seemed to be a by-product of the one before it.
Example: Meier’s eight-yard touchdown catch with 4:26 left came one play after a 31-yard completion to Marcus Herford on third and 11. Kansas’ momentum rolled through the entire game.
That’s why coach Mark Mangino could look at the play that started it all, safety Darrell Stuckey’s interception less than 30 seconds into the game, and say it was a key to the game.
“It was important that we didn’t let them jump out to a big lead,” Mangino said. “When they get a big lead, they get rolling and they can be dangerous. Even though we gave up a lot of points, our defense still might be the difference in the game.”
Stuckey’s first interception, he added his team-leading fifth in the third quarter, was on an ill-advised strike into double coverage. The junior didn’t have to do much except let it fall into his arms and run 15 yards the other direction.
“I was really just doing my job,” Stuckey said. “He took a gamble throwing in my direction and I’m grateful that I came up with the ball.”
The interception set up Kansas’ only made field goal, which turned out to be the margin of victory. However, Stuckey’s heroics were far from over.
Trailing 3-0 and backed up to his own nine on third and 10, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel bolted for a momentum-changing run. Daniel scampered across the 50 when a Jayhawk finally caught up to him.
Unsatisfied with making a touchdown-saving tackle, Stuckey ripped the ball from Daniel’s clutches then pounced on it for his second turnover.
“I saw the ball kind of flare a little bit and I saw him relax,” Stuckey said.
Reesing took over and moved Kansas down field, this time scoring a touchdown to open a 10-0 lead.
Daniel brought it to 10-7. But on his next drive the KU defense disrupted him again, only this time it was in the backfield.
Alonso Rojas’ rugby-style punt put Mizzou at the 2-yard line. On second and 10, defensive end Jake Laptad forced Daniel to dump a pass behind the line of scrimmage.
“I figured it was a screen pass so I tried to get the best rush that I could,” Laptad said. “When I got my hands on him I thought he had thrown it away.”
The result was an intentional grounding penalty that gave Laptad his second safety of the season.
Photo Gallery
Kansas Football vs. Missouri
Photo gallery of Saturday's game against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas led 19-10 at halftime, but Arrowhead Stadium felt like it expected Missouri to explode at any moment. So did Stuckey, which is why he said the first half was so important.
“That means a lot, to get a quarterback as great as Chase out of rhythm or shaken up,” Stuckey said. “He was going to put it together sooner or later.”
Daniel figured out Kansas’ defense in the third quarter. He threw two touchdowns, including a one-play drive, but Stuckey got the better of him to start the fourth.
Daniel’s lame attempt to hide the ball behind his back didn’t fool the safety, who jumped the route and secured the pick.
Stuckey said defensive coordinator Clint Bowen’s game plan challenged his player’s pride.
“He just emphasized going one-on-one,” Stuckey said. “When you line up against a man across from you, you have to know that you’re better than him.”
The offenses took over from there, but Stuckey’s best performance as a Jayhawk helped ensure that they would have a chance at the end.
Years from now, Reesing’s pass will be the first, and maybe only, thing remembered about the 2008 Border Showdown. But safety Phillip Strozier’s field goal block, and the well-deserved celebration that followed, shows that the defense also deserves a hand.
“I stood there in awe, just total shock,” Stuckey said. “Nobody really knew exactly what they were doing. They were just running around cheering.”
— — Edited by Ramsey Cox
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