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          Jayhawks 52, Chippewas 7

          Sep 1, 2007
          • Associated Press

          LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Todd Reesing threw four touchdown passes in his debut as Kansas quarterback Saturday night and six different Jayhawks scored touchdowns in a 52-7 rout of defending Mid-American champion Central Michigan.

          Reesing, a sophomore who beat out incumbent Kerry Meier after appearing in only three games last year, was 20 of 29 for 261 yards and no interceptions as the Jayhawks rolled up 538 total yards.

          Brandon McAnderson, a senior who'd never carried for more than 41 yards in a game, had 110 yards on 16 carries and Jake Sharp rushed for 106 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown.

          Raimond Pendleton scored two TDs, the first on a 77-yard punt return that put Kansas on top 28-0.

          Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour, who threw for 3,031 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, never got untracked against a Kansas team which looked vastly improved from the unit that ranked 119th in pass defense last year. By the time two-way star Aqib Talib beat double coverage and hauled in Reesing's 49-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-0 with 3:07 left in the first half, the Jayhawks had outgained the Chippewas 333 yards to 139.

          LeFevour finished 19 of 37 for 172 yards and one TD.

          It was a tough debut for Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones, who replaced Brian Kelly and took over a team that returns 15 starters after going 10-4 and winning the Motor City Bowl.

          The Jayhawks were leading 45-0 by the time LeFevour connected with Bryan Anderson with a 16-yard touchdown pass a couple of minutes into the fourth quarter.

          Reesing found Derek Fine with a 3-yard pass on Kansas' second possession, then a few minutes later, freshman Dezmon Briscoe caught a 16-yard scoring pass for his first reception. Marcus Henry beat Kirkston Edwards on a 46-yard scoring pass play to make it 21-0 with 6:38 left in the first half, then 30 seconds later Pendleton crossed the goalline untouched with his punt return. Pendleton made it 52-7 when he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Meier with 10:10 left in the game.

          College Football News