Kansas is an underdog no more

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Marcus Henry was an under-appreciated underdog who turned into something special, the epitome of No. 5 Kansas’ remarkable run from nowhere to a legitimate national title contender.

Henry had a career-high 199 yards receiving and three touchdowns, Brandon McAnderson ran for 142 yards and two scores, and the Jayhawks stayed unbeaten with a 43-28 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

A skinny receiver whom no one else wanted, Henry turned in the game of his career in his return to his home state as Kansas (6-0 Big 12) moved to 10-0 for the first time since 1899. The Jayhawks are now the only unbeaten team left in the six conferences with an automatic bid to the Bowl Championship Series after top-ranked Ohio State was upset by Illinois earlier in the day.

“Our whole team has been overlooked, and for us to be performing as good as we can, it’s pretty good,” Henry said.

The senior had the fourth-highest receiving total in school history and caught more than one touchdown pass in a game for the first time in his career. Not bad for a kid who only got a look after a standout performance in an all-star game and got a late invite to training camp.

“He’s a young man who just wanted an opportunity to play Division I. We gave him the opportunity and he’s made the most of it,” Jayhawks Coach Mark Mangino said.

Kansas was fourth in last week’s BCS standings and will be moving up again when the new numbers come out today. The question is no longer whether the Jayhawks deserve to be in the national title discussion. It’s whether this band of underdogs can keep winning and get to New Orleans for the title game.

“We’re not a bunch of superstars on this team. We’re just a bunch of regular guys who love to play football,” quarterback Todd Reesing said. “That’s how we like it. We’d rather have 22 guys that no one’s ever heard of that are winning every ballgame than a few superstars that everyone focuses on.”

Reesing completed 27 of 40 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns in another solid effort for the methodical Jayhawks. He went without an interception for the third straight game and has thrown 179 passes since his last pick.

Zac Robinson threw for 271 yards with two touchdowns for Oklahoma State (5-5, 3-3).