2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team

2007 Kansas Jayhawks football
Orange Bowl champion
Big 12 North co-champion[1]
Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech, W 24–21
Conference Big 12 Conference
Division North
Ranking
Coaches No. 7
AP No. 7
2007 record 12–1 (7–1 Big 12)
Head coach Mark Mangino (6th year)
Offensive coordinator Ed Warinner (1st year)
Offensive scheme Spread option
Defensive coordinator Bill Young, Clint Bowen (6th, 7th year)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
(Capacity: 50,071)
2007 Big 12 football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Northern Division
#4 Missouri xy   7 – 1         12 – 2  
#7 Kansas x%   7 – 1         12 – 1  
Colorado   4 – 4         6 – 7  
Kansas State   3 – 5         5 – 7  
Nebraska   2 – 6         5 – 7  
Iowa State   2 – 6         3 – 9  
Southern Division
#8 Oklahoma xy$   6 – 2         11 – 3  
#10 Texas   5 – 3         10 – 3  
#22 Texas Tech   4 – 4         9 – 4  
Oklahoma State   4 – 4         7 – 6  
Texas A&M   4 – 4         7 – 6  
Baylor   0 – 8         3 – 9  
Championship: Oklahoma 38, Missouri 17
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team (variously "Kansas", "KU", or the "Jayhawks") represented the University of Kansas in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Looking to improve on the previous season's 6–6 overall record (3–5 in the Big 12 Conference), the team finished the 2007 season with a 12–1 overall record (7–1 in their conference) and one of the best seasons in the school's 118 years of intercollegiate football. The twelve victories set a new record, and the defeat of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Orange Bowl was the school's first Orange Bowl victory. Their only loss was versus a North Division rival, the Missouri Tigers, in their final regular season game which denied them sole possession of the division title and a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game. For their achievements the team was awarded the Stanley Tools Breakthrough of the Year Award.[2]

Mark Mangino, in his sixth season as the team's head coach, received several coaching awards. The team's new offensive coordinator was Ed Warinner (3rd year overall), and their defensive coordinators were Bill Young (6th year) and Clint Bowen (7th year). The team captains were senior running back Brandon McAnderson, senior tight end Derek Fine, senior defensive lineman James McClinton, and junior cornerback Aqib Talib. The starting quarterback position was held by sophomore Todd Reesing with sophomore Kerry Meier as a backup and wide receiver.

They played their home games on Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

Coaching staff

The team was led by Mark Mangino in his sixth season as head coach. The team's twelve wins raised his overall coaching record to 37–36 (.507) and gave him his second bowl game win. At the end of the season Mangino was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year by the Big 12 coaches and Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Other awards received include The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, and the Woody Hayes National Coach of the Year.

With the departure of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Quartaro at the end of the prior season, Ed Warinner returned from a two-season stint as University of Illinois's run-game coordinator and offensive line coach. He brought in a new, more aggressive, faster-paced, no-huddle offense. This was Warinner's third season with the Jayhawks since he had previously coached the offensive line and served as run-game coordinator in 2003–2004.[3][4]

Bill Young (6th year) and Clint Bowen (7th year) were defensive coordinators. Tim Beck (3rd year) was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator.

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
Regular season
September 1 6:00 PM Central Michigan* Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas W 52–7   46,815
September 8 6:00 PM SE Louisiana* Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas W 62–0   43,914
September 15 6:00 PM Toledo* Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas W 45–13   48,112
September 22 6:00 PM Florida International* Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas W 55–3   42,134
October 6 11:00 AM at No. 24 Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, Kansas FSN W 30–24   50,924
October 13 11:30 AM Baylor No. 20 Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas FCS W 58–10   43,556
October 20 4:30 PM at Colorado No. 15 Folsom Field • Boulder, Colorado ESPN W 19–14   51,940
October 27 6:00 PM at Texas A&M No. 12 Kyle Field • College Station, Texas ESPN2 W 19–11   85,341
November 3 11:30 AM Nebraskadagger No. 8 Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas FSN W 76–39   51,910
November 10 7:00 PM at Oklahoma State No. 5 Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, Oklahoma ABC W 43–28   39,848
November 17 2:30 PM Iowa State No. 4 Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas ABC W 45–7   51,050
November 24 7:00 PM vs. No. 3 Missouri No. 2 Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri (Border Showdown) ABC L 28–36   80,537
Postseason
January 3 7:15 PM vs. No. 5 Virginia Tech* No. 8 Dolphin Stadium • Miami Gardens, Florida (Orange Bowl) FOX W 24–21   74,111[5]
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Central Time.

Game notes

Central Michigan vs. Kansas
1 234Total
Central Michigan 0 007 7
• Kansas 14 21107 52
  • Date: September 1, 2007
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
  • Game start: 6:05 pm CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 46,815
  • Game weather: Sunny skies; 89 °F (32 °C); Wind E at 6 mph
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
     

Central Michigan

For their season-opening game on September 1, the Jayhawks hosted the defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan Chippewas in the teams' first meeting. Central Michigan was led by Butch Jones in his first year as a head coach. Entering the game the Jayhawks had a 5–5 record against opponents from the MAC with the most recent result being the double-overtime loss to the Toledo Rockets in the third week of the 2006 season. The Jayhawks dominated the Chippewas in a 52–7 win to extend their streak of season-opening victories to four.

Southeastern Louisiana vs. Kansas
1 234Total
SE Louisiana 0 000 0
• Kansas 9 201914 62
  • Date: September 8, 2007
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
  • Game start: 6:05 pm CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:03
  • Game attendance: 43,914
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny skies; 84 °F (29 °C); Wind NE at 7 mph
  • Referee: Rick Loumiet

Southeastern Louisiana

On September 8, the Jayhawks hosted the Southeastern Louisiana Lions from the Southland Conference. With the Lions led by first-year head coach Mike Lucas, it was the teams' first meeting and only the second for the Jayhawks versus a Southland opponent; the first was a win at home versus the Northwestern State Demons to begin the previous season. The Jayhawks also recorded their first shutout since 2000.

Toledo vs. Kansas
1 234Total
Toledo 0 706 13
• Kansas 10 14210 45
  • Date: September 15, 2007
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
  • Game start: 6:05 pm CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:21
  • Game attendance: 48,112
  • Game weather: Cloudy skies; 56 °F (13 °C); Wind SE at 9 mph
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman

Toledo

On September 15, the Jayhawks hosted the Toledo Rockets for their third game in four seasons and fourth overall. Led by head coach Tom Amstutz in his seventh season, the Mid-American Conference team had defeated the Jayhawks the previous year in Toledo in a double-overtime loss. This 45–13 win gave the Jayhawks a 3–1 record versus the Rockets and a 7–5 record versus opponents from the MAC.

Florida International vs. Kansas
1 234Total
FIU 3 000 3
• Kansas 10 102114 55
  • Date: September 22, 2007
  • Location: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
  • Game start: 6:05 pm CST
  • Elapsed time: 3:19
  • Game attendance: 42,134
  • Game weather: Sunny skies; 83 °F (28 °C); Wind ESE at 7 mph
  • Referee: Cooper Castleberry

Florida International

For their fourth and final non-conference game on September 22, the Jayhawks hosted the FIU Golden Panthers of the Sun Belt Conference in the teams' first meeting. FIU was led by first-year head coach Mario Cristobal.

Kansas vs. #24 Kansas State [box score]
1 234Total
• Kansas 0 1479 30
Kansas St 7 737 24

Kansas State

Todd Reesing led the Jayhawks to victory in Manhattan for the first time in eighteen years. Aqib Talib sealed the game by picking off Josh Freeman's pass with less than two minutes left in the game.[6]

The Jayhawks got their first touchdown on Kansas State's home field since 1999 when Jake Sharp, apparently stopped for a short gain, burst out of a gang of tacklers and sped 20 yards to make it 7–7 with 9:11 left in the first half. Sharp had picked up 14 yards the previous play.

The victory was KU's third in the last four Governor's Cup games against KSU, and increased their all-time lead in the Sunflower Showdown to 64–36–5.

The Wildcats came into the game ranked 24th in the nation. It was the Jayhawks first win over a ranked team since 2003 when the Jayhawks defeated 23rd ranked Missouri 35–14.

Baylor vs. #20 Kansas [box score]
1 234Total
Baylor 3 070 10
• Kansas 10 211017 58

Baylor

Lightning delayed the start of the game 2 hours. Reesing passed for 186 yards as the Jayhawks were 6–0 for the first time since 1995.[7] The Jayhawks also entered the game ranked for the first time since 1996.

#15 Kansas vs. Colorado [box score]
1 234Total
• Kansas 0 3106 19
Colorado 0 077 14

Colorado

#10 Kansas vs. Texas A&M [box score]
1 234Total
• Kansas 0 0136 19
Texas A&M 0 0011 11

Texas A&M

Marcus Henry (#86) makes a reception against Texas A&M

This was the Jayhawks' 9th meeting with the Texas A&M Aggies. A&M entered the game leading the series 7–1, and had only lost the first meeting in Lawrence in 1974. Kansas was the only Big 12 team that A&M was undefeated against, ever since the Big 12 formed in 1996. Kansas was the first top 10 team, excluding Oklahoma and Texas, to play at Kyle Field since 2002. A&M had compiled a 6–3 record for games played against top 10 teams (other than OU and Texas) at Kyle Field.[8] In their previous meeting in 2006, A&M outscored Kansas 21–18.[9] One day prior to the game, Las Vegas casinos favored Kansas to win by three points.[10]

Kansas entered the game with a 16th-ranked rushing offense, 25th-ranked passing offense, and a 3rd-ranked scoring offense. Kansas' rushing defense ranked 4th, pass defense ranked 10th, and overall defense ranked 5th.[11] Kansas also had ranked 9th in the weekly BCS standings.[12] A&M came into the game with a 5th-ranked rushing offense, and a 111th ranked passing offense. The pass defense ranked 100th, scoring defense ranked 42nd, and overall defense ranked 73rd.[13]

In the game, KU running back Brandon McAnderson rushed for a career-high of 183 yards, and quarterback Todd Reesing completed 21 of 33 passes for 180 yards. Through the first three quarters, the Jayhawks shutout the Aggies' 5th-ranked rushing offense and held them to only 56 yards. A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane had only rushed for 24 yards the entire game. KU gained a 13–0 lead in the third quarter, after kicker Scott Webb kicked two field goals and Reesing led his team to a 54-yard touchdown drive on 6 plays. In the fourth quarter, Reesing led his team to a 43-yard touchdown drive on 4 plays.[14]

For the first time since 1909, the Jayhawks improved to an 8–0 season record. This was also the first time that KU won in Texas since 2001 (not including bowl games).[14]

Nebraska vs. No. 8 Kansas [box score]
1 234Total
Nebraska 14 1078 39
• Kansas 21 27217 76

Nebraska

The Nebraska-Kansas series is the longest uninterrupted series in college football at 102 years.[15][16] In the 2007 meeting, Kansas beat Nebraska 76–39.[15] Their 48 points in the first half was the most ever scored against Nebraska in the first half; and it came one point short of tying the record for most points scored on Nebraska in a half.[17][18] With the win, Kansas took their record to 9–0 for the first time since 1908.[19]

Fox Sports reported, "It was only the second victory for Kansas in the last 39 games against Nebraska, which appears to be coming to pieces in the fourth season of embattled coach Bill Callahan."[19]

#5 Kansas vs. Oklahoma State
1 234Total
• Kansas 10 101310 43
Oklahoma State 7 777 28
        

Oklahoma State

The Kansas Jayhawks game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys attracted a great deal of attention. This was due to the match up between both potent offenses. The crucial match up was that between cornerback Aqib Talib and star Cowboy wideout Adarius Bowman. In the 2006 matchup between the two, Bowman had 13 catches for 300 yards.[20] However Bowman left the game with an injury after the first half. In the first half, he was held to 22 yards on 4 catches with no touchdowns. The game was broadcast to 63 percent of the nation on ABC as the top primetime college football game of the week.[21]

The Jayhawks went to 10–0 for the first time since 1899.

Iowa State vs. No. 4 Kansas
1 234Total
Iowa State 0 700 7
• Kansas 14 14314 45
    

Iowa State

The victory over Iowa State brought KU's record to 11–0, the first time in school history that the football team won 11 games in a season. As a result, the Jayhawks were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week.[22]

#4 Missouri vs. No. 2 Kansas
1 234Total
• Missouri 7 7148 36
Kansas 0 0721 28
       

Missouri

On November 24 the Jayhawks met the Missouri Tigers at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City, Missouri, in the final regular season game of the year. Known as the Border Showdown, this year's annual contest was the most significant in recent years as the winner would claim the Big 12 North Division title, advance to the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas, and likely claim the top spot in the BCS rankings and national polls with a win (No. 1 LSU lost 50-48 in triple overtime the previous day to Arkansas). The game received considerable media attention, and the ESPN College Gameday crew were at the game. It drew 80,537, the second-highest attendance in the 35-year history of Arrowhead Stadium.[23] The Jayhawks entered the contest with an eleven-game winning streak since losing the final game of the 2006 season against their cross-border rivals in Columbia, Missouri, by a score of 42–17. But they would leave with their second straight loss versus the Tigers and a 6–6 series record since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

#8 Kansas vs. No. 5 Virginia Tech
1 234Total
• Kansas 7 1007 24
Virginia Tech 0 777 21
   

Virginia Tech

Main article: 2008 Orange Bowl
The Jayhawks ready to score against the Hokies in the Orange Bowl.

Rankings

According to the Big 12 Media Preseason Poll, the Jayhawks were projected to finish fourth in the Big 12 North Division.[24]

Following their victory over Iowa State, the Jayhawks reached their highest ranking in school history when they were ranked second in the nation in all four major polls (Bowl Championship Series, Associated Press, USA Today and Harris Interactive). Previously, the 1968 team was ranked third by the Associated Press for three weeks.[25]

Entering November, the University of Kansas was the only school with its football team and men's basketball team both ranked in the top ten.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final 
AP NR RV RV RV RV RV 20 15 12 8 5 4 (1) 2 (3) 7 8 7 (1) 
Coaches' NR NR NR NR RV RV 20 15 10 8 5 4 (7) 2 (8) 5 8 7 
Harris Not released RV RV 20 15 11 8 5 4 (8) 2 (13) 6 8 Not released 
BCS Not released 13 9 8 4 3 2 5 8 Not released

Statistics

Team

KU Opp
Scoring 532 192
  Points per Game 44.3 16.0
First Downs 307 196
  Rushing 129 70
  Passing 157 114
  Penalty 21 12
Total Offense 5893 3819
  Avg per Play 6.4 4.5
  Avg per Game 491.1 318.3
Fumbles-Lost −7 −12
Penalties-Yards 48–438 77–726
  Avg per Game 4.0–36.5 6.4–60.5
KU Opp
Punts-Yards 46-1,699
  Avg per Punt 36.9
Time of Possession/Game 30:08 29:52
3rd Down Conversions 74/170 (43.5%) 61/194 (31.4%)
4th Down Conversions 10/17 (58.8%) 11/28 (39.3%)
Touchdowns Scored 69 24
Field Goals-Attempts 17–24
PAT-Attempts 63–64
Total Attendance (Games) 327,491 (7)
  Avg per Game 46,784
  Neutral Site 80,537 (1)

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "MU Won, but KU Still Shows Off Trophy". The Kansas City Star.
  2. ↑ "Mangino Receives Coach of the Year Honor". The Topeka Capital-Journal. December 7, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
  3. ↑ Adams, Jeff (April 24, 2007). "New Offensive Coordinator Hopes to Play to KU's Strengths". FanHouse. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
  4. ↑ Keegan, Tom (September 3, 2007). "Kansas Offense Different". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Kansas Jayhawks vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Box Score". ESPN. January 3, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Jayhawks Start 5-0 for Third Time in Last 39 Years". ESPN. October 6, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Jayhawks Move to 6-0 for First Time Since 1995". ESPN. October 13, 2007. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ "GAME 9: Kansas (7–0) at Texas A&M (6–2)". Texas A&M University Department of Athletics. October 23, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
  9. ↑ "All-Time Football Scores: Kansas". Texas A&M University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on November 29, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Gaming: NCAA football sports betting line". Vegas.com. October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
  11. ↑ "TEAM RANKINGS:Kansas". National Collegiate Athletic Association. October 20, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  12. ↑ "2007 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 8 (Oct. 21)". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
  13. ↑ "TEAM RANKINGS: TEXAS A&M". National Collegiate Athletic Association. October 20, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  14. 1 2 "McAnderson's 183 Rushing Yards Lead Jayhawks to Historic Win". ESPN. Associated Press. October 28, 2007. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  15. 1 2 "Reesing's School-Record Six TDs Lead Jayhawks' Rout of Huskers". ESPN. November 3, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Huskers Set for Road Trip to Face Undefeated Kansas". University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Opponent Records" (PDF). University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  18. ↑ "Fire Bill Callahan". Blogspot. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  19. 1 2 "Nebraska sets school record in loss". Fox Sports. November 3, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  20. ↑ Cohen, Andrea (November 7, 2007). "Kansas Keeping an Eye on Adarius This Time". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  21. ↑ "ABC Coverage Map 11/10". ESPN. November 10, 2007. Retrieved November 11, 2007.
  22. ↑ "Kerry Meier". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Tigers Down Jayhawks 36–28 to Win Big 12 North". Big 12 Conference. Associated Press. November 25, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Kansas Football Picked To Finish Fourth In North By Big 12 Media". University of Kansas Department of Athletics. July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  25. ↑ "Kansas Football Moves To Second In Major Polls". University of Kansas Department of Athletics. November 18, 2007. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
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