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Kansas-Colorado Preview

Oct 14, 2009 - 12:41 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Kansas (5-0) at Colorado (1-4), 7:00 p.m. EDT

While quarterback Todd Reesing and a talented pair of receivers continue to break school records, Kansas keeps winning.

The 17th-ranked Jayhawks look to remain undefeated while trying for a fourth straight victory over struggling Colorado on Saturday night in a Big 12 North Division matchup at Folsom Field.

For the second straight outing, Kansas (5-0, 1-0) had a tough time keeping its perfect record intact, but its high-powered offense was ultimately able to bail out a leaky defense for a 41-36 win over Iowa State last Saturday. The Jayhawks outlasted Southern Mississippi 35-28 in their previous contest Sept. 26.

While the recent lapses from a defensive unit last in the Big 12 allowing 259.8 passing yards per game, Kansas' offense has had little trouble carrying the load.

Tied for ninth in the nation with 1,579 passing yards, Reesing was 37 of 49 for a career-high 442 yards with four touchdowns against the Cyclones. He tied his own single-game record for completions and came within 38 yards of the school mark for most in a contest.

Senior Kerry Meier set a school record with 16 catches for 142 yards with two TDs, while junior Dezmon Briscoe caught 12 for 186 yards and two scores. Meier, who has 167 catches, leads Briscoe by two in the race to become the Jayhawks' all-time leading receiver.

"It's hard to believe there's a better pitch-and-catch group in the country than those guys," said Kansas coach Mark Mangino, whose team ranks third nationally in total offense (519.4 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (40.6 points). "I'd be hard-pressed to find a better one."

Briscoe, who has 30 receptions for a team-leading 517 yards in four games, also holds the school record for career receiving yards with 2,420.

"I don't think you can find a duo who's better than them," said Reesing, who's 843 yards shy of 10,000. "If you do, I'll challenge and say that they're not."

Reesing and the offense could be even more dangerous if starting running back Jake Sharp (240 rushing yards, six total TDs) returns after missing the last two contests with a leg injury.

Regardless, Kansas has a chance for another big game against Colorado (1-4, 0-1), which is last in the conference allowing 30.0 points per game and 11th by giving up 389.6 yards per contest.

Reesing has thrown for 515 yards and four touchdowns in three games against the Buffaloes.

Despite Colorado's struggles, it could carry some momentum into this contest after holding then-No. 2 Texas to a season-low 313 total yards. The Buffaloes led 14-10 at halftime before the Longhorns turned it on for a 38-14 win.

While its defense hopes for another strong effort, Colorado will have a new face at quarterback.

Sophomore Tyler Hansen will start in place of three-year starter and coach's son Cody Hawkins, who was pulled after going 6 of 18 for 68 yards with two interceptions against Texas.

Hansen, who split time with Hawkins last season and is 37 of 70 for 297 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions, will try to jump-start an offense that was held to a season-low 127 total yards versus the Longhorns.

Coach Dan Hawkins, though, suggested his son was "still going to have a role and I think there's a very good chance that you'll see both of them."

Cody Hawkins has thrown for 6,020 yards and 48 touchdowns with 36 interceptions in over two seasons at Colorado.

Colorado won 44-13 at home for its most recent victory over Kansas on Oct. 22, 2005, but has totaled 43 points in its current three-game losing streak to Kansas.

The Buffaloes have lost four straight to ranked opponents since beating then-No. 21 West Virginia 17-14 on Sept. 18, 2008.