QB accepts role as backup, shows versatility

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 1, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - When news broke that Kerry Meier wouldn't quarterback Kansas this season, he knew an advisory hot line was stored among the favorite numbers on his cell phone.

Meier's older brother Dylan was subjected to the same predicament at Kansas State.

As a senior for the Wildcats, Dylan traded his helmet for a ball cap and watched as a freshman, Josh Freeman, moved into the starting role.

"He gave me a lot of advice, told me to keep my head up and be team-oriented, that you can't be self-centered," Kerry Meier said. "When you become self-centered, you become a weak link, and great teams can't have any weak links."

At 11-1, this could be the greatest of all KU football teams. As links go, Meier moved to the other end of the chain as a wide receiver, though he also backs up Todd Reesing at QB.

Look at KU's stats and you'll find Meier as a receiver, passer, rusher, punter and scorer.

Work it into a bio and the slash key needs attention from the Geek Squad's chief surgeon.

No Jayhawk has performed all those functions in the same season since Donnie Shanklin in 1968, the last time KU was invited to the Orange Bowl. Yet Meier's versatility comes as no surprise to someone who watched Kerry blossom in the backyard.

"He's always been this fluid athlete and his natural ability is just tremendous," said brother Dylan Meier. "I think his coaches knew he had to be somewhere on the field. Kerry's mentality is to win and his team spirit resembles that aspect. To seize on this opportunity like he did speaks volumes."

It didn't hurt, though, to have a brother stoke that spirit when Kerry was down.

"It was tough times," Kerry admitted. "Growing up, I was put in a situation to succeed and start, and I'd never really been put in the back-seat position. But Dylan really helped me out and gave me great advice."

In all fairness, a hamstring injury prevented Meier from competing at full strength during KU's fall camp, so news of his demotion - he lost the job to Reesing after starting for the Jayhawks in 2006 - could have been devastating.

"It was difficult for probably one day," Meier said. "I came in, I heard the news, I took it, and that's the way it was, that's the way it's going to be, but you've got to live with it. I just took it as motivation to get better and get on the field another way."

Meier drew five starts as a receiver and produced 24 receptions. When he did get on the field the old way, as a QB, he completed 25 of 29 passes.

Maybe there's some way KU can squeeze in more for Meier with all the prep time leading into the Orange Bowl. If so, all coach Mark Mangino would confirm is "we'll use Kerry. He'll get plays. He's a key guy for us."

While it's trendy these days for backup quarterbacks to take their experience elsewhere, Meier is true blue. Transferring isn't a consideration.

"It never crossed my mind," said the Pittsburg sophomore. "There's a lot more to life than just football, and I really enjoy the city of Lawrence. My education is here, going to school here is great and I've developed great relationships with the players and the coaches. I just enjoy being here."

Sticking around provided a keepsake worth framing - a shot on the Nov. 26 cover of Sports Illustrated. Before this season, no one ever dreamed to tell Meier that such a picture would depict him catching a pass.

"I would have thought they were a little crazy," he said, "but that stuff is now reality, it's how it unfolded, that's the way it went and I'm happy about it."

Kevin Haskin can be reached

at (785) 295-1159

or kevin.haskin@cjonline.com.

Penn State 15, Kansas 14

Jan. 1, 1969, in Miami

Just when it appeared as if Kansas held on to win the game, officials took a recount.

They ruled the Jayhawks had 12 men on the field during a two- point conversion try by Penn State with 15 seconds remaining. Given another chance, the Nittany Lions converted and edged the Jayhawks 15-14.

Kansas gained a 14-7 advantage early in the fourth quarter when Donnie Shanklin returned a punt 46 yards to the Penn State 7. The runback set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by John Riggins with 12:38 remaining.

Shanklin was named the game's outstanding performer after producing 122 yards on 19 touches as a versatile rusher, returner and receiver.

Penn State's decisive drive began with just 1:16 remaining and began with a 47-yard strike from Chuck Burkhart to Bob Campbell. KU defender Billy Hunt later said he lost the ball in the lights. Burkhart scored on a 3-yard bootleg. A throw by Burkhart was broken up on the Nittany Lions' first conversion attempt, but Campbell crashed in from the left side on the second try.

Kansas (9-2)__7__0__0__7__-__14

Penn State (11-0)__0__7__0__8__-__15

KU - Reeves 2 run (Bell kick)

PS - Pittman 13 run (Garthwaite kick)

KU - John Riggins 1 run (Bell kick)

PS - Burkhart 3 run (Campbell run)

GAME IN FIGURES

__KU__PS

First downs__16__17

Rushes-yards__59-76__55-207

Passing yards__165__154

Passes (A-C-I)__18-9-1__23-12-2

Punts-average__10-38__9-38

Fumbles lost__0__2

Penalties-yards__2-10__1-15