Border Battle: Words Escape Me

But, numbers don’t! Just as 2008 when Kansas won 40-37, this was a nail-bitter to the end with MU taking the trophy 41-39. There were a lot of records set so I'll just run through a bunch of tables I produced for today's Star. If you don’t subscribe to the Star – shame on you! Drop what you are doing. Pick up the phone. Operators are standing by… Sorry, got off on a tangent. There are plenty of accolades to spread around – especially when there was 1,100 yards of offense… but first… 

Kansas and Missouri can finally agree on the all-time series. Both schools acknowledge the tally is 55-54-9. Of course, they disagree on who has 55 and who has 54, but hey, it’s a step in the right direction.

REESING - OUCH

Of course, the most significant stat of the day is "two". Reesing failed to get the last two yards he needed to reach 500 yards passing despite having numerous opportunities at the end of the fourth quarter. His last completed pass was a 17-yarder to Briscoe with 6:50 to play. Shortly thereafter, KU had the ball first and goal from the six. A one-yard run, an incompletion and a sack cost KU the chance to go in front by a touchdown - instead settling for a field goal.

On Kansas' next possession, Reesing had an incomplete pass, another incomplete pass and a sack - in the end zone - for a safety. So, from the time he had 498 yards (a KU passing record), he went 0-3 with two sacks and a safety.

Of course, the other reason "two" is significant is because that safety ultimately cost Kansas the game - losing by two points. And, what a way to end your stellar collegiate career!! The last play you ever make is a safety which cost you the game against your arch-nemesis, a bowl bid, two yards short of 500 and capping off seven straight losses after leading KU to a 25-6 record up to that point. MAN, has that gotta hurt!

Todd Reesing's Kansas career ended with a loss, but he did leave with one more record - most passing yards in a single game. Reesing also leaves as KU's career leader in passing yards (11,194), attempts (1,461), completions (932), touchdown passes (90) and total offensive yards (11,840).

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GABBERT

Reesing’s counterpart (Blaine Gabbert) had a good day as well. I can now complete the table I presented in the preview. It's not often you see such a wide range within the same season.

*Rushing and passing

**NCAA QB Efficiency Rating

ALEXANDER

Danario Alexander had his third 200-plus-yard receiving game Saturday, and all have come in his last four games. The NCAA record is four straight.

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KU RECEIVERS

Saturday was the last game for QB Todd Reesing as a Jayhawk and also for Jayhawk receivers Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe as teammates. Here's where Meier and Briscoe wound up on KU's career receiving charts.

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So ends the 2009 season for the Hawks – a monumental collapse. Despite the improved schedule in 2010, five wins may be difficult to come by. The Tigers, on the other hand, may yet win nine games and may be just as good (or better) next season.