jayhawks NOTEBOOK

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 11, 2007

Fish Bowl

Representatives from the Sugar Bowl, Alamo Bowl and Texas Bowl were in Stillwater for Kansas at Oklahoma State on Saturday, marking the second straight week a BCS rep has watched KU play. Reps from the Orange, Fiesta and Sugar were in Lawrence last week for KU's 76- point binge against Nebraska.

KU entered Saturday's game with a realistic shot at the BCS national title game. A one-loss KU team still could be BCS-bound if the Jayhawks win the Big 12 title or finish No. 3 or 4 in the BCS rankings, provided another Big 12 teams isn't in the championship game.

Meier trickery

They finally did it. Having set it up seemingly all season, Kansas finally threw a halfback/wideout pass with Kerry Meier. After an Oklahoma State turnover, Meier took what appeared to be an option pitch and heaved a 44-yard toss to a wide open Marcus Henry that put KU on the Cowboys' 6-yard line.

After a seven-yard sack, KU settled for a 30-yard Scott Webb field goal that put KU up 10-3 with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

National TV run

Kansas appeared on national television for the fifth straight week, with Saturday's ABC telecast reaching 63 percent of the country.

KU's game against Iowa state next week also is on ABC, and the regular-season finale against Missouri on Nov. 24 will be on either ABC or FSN.

No chance

Mangino made a noteworthy call at the end of the first half, when, with 42 seconds left, three timeouts and possession at the 20, he decided to take a knee and go into halftime up 20-14, rather than assume the risk that would come on a quick drive attempt.

KU had 247 yards at halftime, with the Cowboys showing no real ability to stop the Jayhawks, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Todd Reesing was 15-for-22 for 152 yards and a touchdown at halftime, and KU had hit pass plays of 34 and 44 yards.

Briscoe plays

Not that there was much surprise, but freshman receiver Dezmon Briscoe played his usual role Saturday, after news of his June theft charge broke on Wednesday.

A freshman from Dallas, Briscoe entered the game with 26 catches for 322 yards and seven touchdowns, three of which came last week against Nebraska. He had five grabs for 42 yards in the first half.

Kansas coach Mark Mangino has said he won't comment on Briscoe's situation, though Mangino did recently say of Briscoe's potential, "He can do whatever he wants in this game."

Mic check, Mike

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy attempted a pregame salute to the OSU marching band, an attempt which flopped when his microphone didn't work.

Gundy fiddled with the mic for a second, looked to an equipment guy, the ditched the mic altogether, walked over to the band, made some oversized gestures and, presumably, saluted the band.

Harper starts

Junior cornerback Kendrick Harper started at right cornerback over freshman Chris Harris. Harper was beaten on two long pass plays last week against Nebraska, but Mangino said Harper's experience gives him an advantage over the freshman who had started KU's first seven games.

Oklahoma State attacked the 5-foot-9 Harper with 6-2 receiver Dez Bryant, who rose above Harper for a 27-yard grab, then an 18-yarder for a touchdown that tied it 7-7 with 3:29 left in the first quarter.

Kansas schedule

SEPTEMBER

1Central Michigan W, 52-7

8 SE Louisiana W, 62-0

15 Toledo W, 45-13

22 Fla. International W, 55-3

OCTOBER

6 at Kansas State W, 30-24

13 Baylor W, 58-10

20 at Colorado W, 19-14

27 at Texas A&MW, 19-11

NOVEMBER

3 Nebraska W, 76-39

10 at Oklahoma StateW, 43-28

17 Iowa State 2:30 p.m.

24 MissouriTBA