COLUMN
3
A good time to build up Reesing
After last Saturday's loss to the Kansas State Wildcats, it's clear that Todd Reesing has fallen on the toughest times of his college football career. During the Jayhawks' current four-game skid, Reesing has thrown five interceptions and fumbled the ball eight times. Things can't get much worse for Reesing right now, but they are bound to get better.
The Austin, Texas, native will play his last game at Memorial Stadium tomorrow when the Jayhawks take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Senior Day is a special occasion for Kansas football, and there is no better time for Reesing to have a big day. Kansas is out of the race for the Big 12 North, but it still has the chance to pick up a big win against Nebraska.
Before this season began, Reeing had already piled up 7,578 yards at Kansas. He had thrown for 68 touchdowns, led the Jayhawks to victories in the Orange Bowl and Insight Bowl, and helped create unprecedented excitement for Kansas football. Even if Reeing did not complete a single pass this season, he would still leave Kansas as the all-time leader in passing yards.
More than anything, Reesing has demonstrated a fire and a will to win that has been more valuable than any of his physical abilities. All of the players are extremely competitive, but no Jayhawk wants to win more than Reesing.
I have heard a lot of criticism of Reesing for his
performance during the past few weeks. Most of it has been well-deserved,but some of his critics have also been unfair.Four bad games don't make a bad quarterback and four bad games can't erase two of the most memorable seasons in Kansas football history.
Tomorrow's game provides the perfect opportunity for Reesing to snap out of his slump. The Jayhawks have not won consecutive home games against Nebraska since 1960, when they won 31-0 to pick up their second straight victory against the Cornhuskers in Lawrence. If Reesing can guide Kansas to a victory tomorrow, he would leave with a winning record against one of the best programs in college football history.
Some of the same fans who cheered so hard for Reeing when he tossed the game-winning touchdown to Kerry Meier in last year's game
against Missouri are now doing more criticizing than complimenting. Many of the fans who helped promote Reesing for the Heisman Trophy have lost confidence in Reesing's ability to lead the Jayhawks this year and doubt that he can regain his touch this season.
This Saturday also provides a great opportunity for Kansas fans to thank Todd Reesing and the other seniors for the work that they have put in for the Jayhawks. When this group of seniors started playing at Kansas, the team was struggling to average records and finishes in the Big 12 North.In just a few years,the Jayhawks have gained a lot more respect from their opponents and have established themselves as a program that must be respected.
Sure, Kansas is struggling right now. But things could be a lot worse. I am confident that Reesing will have a strong showing tomorrow during his last home game.
Now is not the time to keep knocking Reesing down. Instead, this is the ideal time to build him back up. Reesing can return to his prolific form, and I'm guessing that it will happen tomorrow.
Weston White/KANSAN
Senior quarterback Todd Reesing sits on the ground after a seven-yard rush that resulted in his second fumble against Kansas State. Reesing had 241 yards passing in the 17-10 loss.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE NOVEMBER 13,2009