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The postgame wrap up: Kansas at Kansas State

Kansas loses to Kansas State 17-10

By Jayson Jenks

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Manhattan, Kan. — Quarter by quarter analysis:

First quarter: What started positively – Darrell Stuckey returned the opening kickoff deep inside K-State’s territory – quickly turned bland. Todd Reesing tossed another bad interception and the offense couldn’t move the ball. Once again, Kansas’ defense came to the rescue. It sure wasn’t a pretty start for either team.

Second Quarter: Not good. Reesing committed two more turnovers, and they hurt. Reesing’s fumble near the end of halftime resulted in a K-State touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 10-7 lead. The defense played well but the Jayhawks were again put in tough situations. Just an ugly 15 minutes.

Third Quarter: K-State opened the quarter with a 9-play, 83-yard drive – and all of those yards were picked up on the ground. It was a statement drive and it dictated the tone of the rest of the game. Kansas, meanwhile, didn’t score.

Fourth Quarter: The Jayhawks were able to move the ball, but they did so methodically and couldn’t spring a big play. And they also couldn’t punch the ball in the end zone – another problem that has haunted Kansas during the last four games. The Jayhawks beat themselves.

Trends:

  1. Reesing’s turnovers continue. Kansas’ senior quarterback committed three first-half turnovers – one of which resulted in a K-State touchdown. Reesing’s turnovers resulted in Kansas’ halftime defecit.

  2. Offensive line makes personnel changes…and still struggles. The line didn’t create much running room and Reesing found himself under pressure at times. It’s been a problem for Kansas since the Colorado game and the unit hasn’t improved much this season.

  3. Maybe Kansas isn’t as good as the preseason expectations seemed to insist. The Jayhawks have lost four consecutive games. They’ve committed turnovers and costly mistakes. And they don’t have a legitimate chance of the Big 12 North title.

It was over when…Kansas failed to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter; instead settling for a Jacob Branstetter field goal. The kick cut K-State’s lead to 17-10 but it kept momentum on the Wildcats’ sideline. With a drive that took 16 plays, a touchdown was almost necessary.

Key stat: Three. Turnovers by senior quarterback Todd Reesing. That marks 10 turnovers in Reesing’s last four games. And, again, these turnovers were costly.

Stadium view: Bill Snyder Family Stadium wasn’t completely full, but the fans in attendance were definitely into the game. They were loud throughout the game.

How they scored:

Second quarter:

KSU: 11:12, Josh Cherry 47-yard field goal. Kansas State 3, Kansas 0.

KU: 8:18, Todd Reesing 17-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Briscoe. Jacob Branstetter kick. Kansas 7, Kansas State 3.

KSU: 0:20, Grant Gregory 31-yard touchdown pass to Lamark Brown. Cherry kick. Kansas State 10, Kansas 7.

Third quarter:

KSU: 10:27, Daniel Thomas 5-yard touchdown run. Cherry kick. Kansas State 17, Kansas 7.

Fourth quarter:

KU: 5:20, Branstetter 46-yard field goal. Kansas State 17, Kansas 10.

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