News and notes: Kansas vs. Sam Houston State

News and notes while wondering if KU fans will have the character to bounce back Saturday as big-time as the team will.

• Kansas (2-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12) will play their last nonconference game of the 2008 season against Sam Houston State (1-0 overall, 0-0 Southland) on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. If you can’t be there, you can watch it on the tube (Fox College Sports).
• In losing to South Florida, 37-34, KU has lost for just the second time in the last 16 games and the third time in their last 20. They’ve won 11 in a row at home and 16 in a row in the friendly confines against nonconference opponents.
• Even though they fell to #19 in both the AP and the Coaches’ polls, the Hawks have tied the school record for consecutive weeks ranked in the polls at 14.  This current streak matches the 14 straight polls the Jayhawks appeared in during the 1995 and 1996 seasons.
• Tickets still remain for Saturday’s brouhaha against Sam Houston State for $40. Anyone wishing to purchase said tickets can do so at kuathletics.com or by calling 800-34-HAWKS. Tickets also remain for games against Colorado (Oct. 11), Texas Tech (Oct. 25), Kansas State (Nov. 1 – and come on, people!) and Texas (Nov. 15).
• Saturday is Band Day. Almost as exciting, the 2008 NCAA men’s basketball team will be honored for something or other during the first quarter break.
• QB Todd Reesing had a remarkable game in a losing effort last Friday night, completing 34 of 51 passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The junior also had a four-yard TD rush.
• WR Johnathan Wilson was huge, catching 10 of those passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns – all three career highs.
• WR Kerry Meier tied a school record with 11 receptions, which resulted in 120 yards.  
• LB James Holt had 13 tackles, including three for loss and two forced fumbles.
• KU has three players leading the nation in a statistical category: QB Todd Reesing (completions), WR Kerry Meier (receptions) and LB James Holt (fumbles forced).
• Kansas and Sam Houston State will be meeting for the first time.
• Speaking of Texas, KU has 28 players on its roster from the state of Texas, including six starters. SHSU has one player from the state of Kansas in Jordan Bowersox (Wichita Heights HS).
• SHSU defensive coordinator Duane Kirk played at Kansas State and coached in the state of Kansas at Kansas State (graduate assistant from1981-83), at Coffeyville JC (1983-87) and at Fort Hays State (1987-90).
• KU will get a little blast from the past Saturday. SHSU’s starting quarterback is former Oklahoma Sooner QB and human resources consultant QB Rhett Bomar. Last time Bomar saw the Jayhawks, he beat them 19-3 at Arrowhead Stadium in 2005. Bomar was 16 of 31 passing for 206 yards, one touchdown (thank you, Ronnie Amadi) and two interceptions.
• Older KU fans might also remember another Sam Houston State alumnus: Mario Kinsey. Kinsey was a two-sport athlete (football and hoops) at Kansas, skipped practice when he didn’t want to go, stole a credit card and ordered pizza with it – and had it sent to his home address – and was eventually encouraged to explore other options. He transferred to Sam Houston State and Texas College and eventually finished his football career in the Walker County lockdown for possession. He now plays basketball for the Waco Wranglers of the American Basketball Association.