JayhawkSlant.com - Kansas falls short against Nebraska

November 14, 2009

Bryan Cisler

In the last seconds of his last home game at Memorial Stadium, Todd Reesing walked to the line of scrimmage as Kansas fans fled to the exits. The last few years, Todd Reesing and the other 14 seniors helped make the stadium come alive during Saturday's each fall. They put Kansas football on the map. Still, the last image Todd Reesing will have of playing at home will be one with thousands of Nebraska fans remaining with chants of "Go Big Red" echoing in the background.

Moments later it would be official. Nebraska 31. Kansas 17. Not exactly a storybook ending. After the game, it was probably junior wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe who summed up senior day the best.

"It's got to suck to be a senior and lose at home," Briscoe said. "I don't know exactly how that feels to lose as a senior in your last game here, but they got to feel pretty bad."

This game was almost a microcosm of the entire season. Once again, missed opportunities haunted the Jayhawks. Even though wide receiver Kerry Meier statistically had a nice game with 10 catches and 127 yards, it will be his fumble near the endzone that negated a Kansas touchdown that will be remembered the most.

"I sensed the endzone getting close and I started to get excited and completely forgot about ball security which is the most important thing," Meier said. "I thought I had the guy beat but he made a great recovery and got his hand in there and got the ball loose and it turned out to be a pretty pivotal point in the game."

Meier wasn't the only senior whose error helped cost Kansas the game. In the fourth quarter with Kansas beating Nebraska 17-16, Justin Thornton committed a face mask penalty on a third down play that would've forced Nebraska to a long field goal. The penalty gave Nebraska a new set of downs. They would score on the next play.

"Ref made a good call and it was definitely one of those plays you wish you could have back," Thornton said. "I really think that was one play I could've made in the game that changed the outcome and the whole momentum of the game."

Kansas spoiled a good performance from their offensive line. Jeff Spikes, who had previously played right tackle, was moved over to right guard to help handle Nebraska's dominant defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

"Thorson has done a good job for us at right tackle and perhaps we were playing to Jeff's strengths by putting him inside so he can have help on both sides," Mangino said. "I think they had a decent night overall collectively, but individual performances I will have to evaluate it, but I think he did okay."

Kansas has two chances left to become bowl eligible. Next week against the undefeated Texas Longhorns, then their regular season finale against Missouri at Arrowhead, a game in which they likely won't be favored. For younger players like sophomore center Jeremiah Hatch, who is expected to be one of the leaders on next year's team, the five game losing stretch won't be forgotten.

"You have to remember this feeling, and never want it again," Hatch said.

For Reesing, there will be no next year. Overall on Saturday, Reesing played better than he did in the previous four losses, he completed 19 passes on 41 attempts for 236 yards. After the game, dressed in all black, Reesing talked about his last four years at Kansas. The next time Reesing attends a game at Memorial Stadium, he'll be in the stands.

"Everyone says it doesn't hit you right away and it doesn't," Reesing said. "To think that I will never run onto that field again with all of our fans, singing our songs and hearing all of our chants - that sucks."

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