Column: Back to basics for Tigers

By Matt Gerstner

Published Dec. 1, 2009

In a game in which the defenses were nothing more than escorts to the end zones, it all came down to execution of the basics.

I have to give credit to the Fat Man. With his team in one hell of a skid and with everyone watching, Kansas coach Mark Mangino and senior quarterback Todd Reesing exploited the horrendous Missouri secondary to rack up a school-record 498 yards and four touchdowns.

It wasn't difficult. The secondary is just that bad. When the secondary dropped to cover deep, Reesing found open wide receivers junior Dezmon Briscoe or senior Kerry Meier underneath (I still don't know how he gets open so much). When Missouri blitzed, Reesing would find an open Briscoe or Meier. It just came down to executing basic football logic.

Missouri did it a little bit better with a little more luck.

Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert posted a good game of his own, passing for 303 yards and a touchdown, and running (yes, running) for 107 yards. Senior wide receiver Danario Alexander, who might need to pull somebody's pony-tail to get some national attention, had yet another monster game with 15 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown, solidifying himself as a can't-miss draft pick. Junior tailback Derrick Washington even broke the early-season chains of bad play calling to nab 115 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers only beat the Jayhawks by three yards in total offense.

The difference was Missouri's defense actually showed up at one point. Redshirt freshman defensive end Aldon Smith got his sack to tie Justin Smith's single-season record with seven minutes left in the fourth and teamed up with senior defensive end Brian Coulter to bury Reesing in the end zone for a safety late in the game (I got a strange feeling of déjà vu).

Senior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (who I'm convinced is the ultimate model of "Beast Mode") led the defense in its step-up performance late in the game, even if the fans didn't get many opportunities to yell, "Spoon!" until the end of the game when he waved the Tiger flag in front of the Black and Gold faithful.

I don't care that it was close; it was a rivalry game, which is almost always unpredictable. I don't even care that Missouri's safeties (one in particular) got absolutely scorched.

All that mattered was sophomore kicker Grant Ressel's kick to win the game.

Contrary to what most of you claim, I love seeing Kansas lose. There's no better satisfaction than seeing a Jayhawk's hopes dashed in the final seconds of the game. Personally, I want the Michelin Man to stay at Kansas. He's 23-41 in Big 12 play and 1-2 at Arrowhead Stadium against Missouri? Hell yeah, I want him to stay.

Unfortunately, I don't think it'll happen.

One quick thought: I loved the jerseys, especially the helmets. I know Athletics Director Mike Alden said it'd be a one-time thing, but I'd love to see them make a return appearance.

Next for Mizzou is a second- to third-rate bowl game, thanks to Oklahoma State. I've heard the Insight against Minnesota or Michigan State or an Independence Bowl rematch against Arkansas. I think the Sun Bowl is a bit of a stretch. I wouldn't mind a shot at the Hogs, but a game against the Gophers is almost too easy.

Last thing: I know I'm hard on them sometimes, but 8-4 is extremely respectable. I still think the Baylor loss is inexcusable, but if that's your only slip-up, I can deal.