Over the next few weeks prior to the bowl game I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the memorable performances of 2008.  I’ve tried to spread the wealth a little bit here but I’m sure we’ll see a trend develop.  In terms of my rankings and the order of the performances will have a lot to do with the ultimate result of the game and the importance of the performance in the game.  Please everyone give your thoughts and feedback on each and as the list wraps up over the next few weeks feel free to throw in your two cents if I miss any. 

To start off the countdown we’ll go all the way back to a Friday night in South Florida.  With an inexperienced offense in a young season the Kansas Jayhawks head into a ranked battle with Big East favorite at the time, the South Florida Bulls.  A rowdy crowd in Tampa greeted Mangino and the Hawks and a still young offense was trying to find its way.

Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks found the end zone early and often on this night, and while the game would ultimately end in defeat a new target emerged with a memorable performance on the receiving end of those Reesing passes.

Jump into the post for a performance and game recap…

If you haven’t figured it out yet, checking in at #10 on the countdown is Johnathan Wilson’s performance against the South Florida Bulls in Tampa.

Wilson came into this game still a relatively unknown name, but when the night was over we were all familiar with his name and I for one am looking forward to his development over the coming years.

A true sophomore, Wilson is a 6’3” 190 pound receiver out of Houston Texas.  He has the size to be a player and on this night showed he has the skills.  At the 8:51 mark in the 1^st quarter Wilson logged his first touchdown of his Kansas career.  This was also the first touchdown for the Jayhawks as they scrambled out to an early 20-3 lead.  The third quarter brought on a complete meltdown as South Florida stormed back to a 27-20 lead and would eventually end up with a two touchdown advantage before Ressing would again find Wilson for one of two touchdowns late in the game to draw the contest even.  Todd Reesing’s interception late in the fourth quarter led to the game winning field goal by South Florida and Kansas ending up on the wrong side of a great game.   As for Wilson he would ultimately wind up on the receiving end of 10 catches, logging 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on the night.  All three of these were and if I’m not mistaken still are career highs for the young receiver.  Todd needed a target for this game and Wilson provided it.  He made plays early and often and showed a fire and emotion that will no doubt help him in his continued career as a Jayhawk. 

All said and done the final result wasn’t what we had all hoped for.  Still though Johnathan Wilson’s performance in the South Florida game was one that left an impression on me and one I will remember in the coming years as he continues to develop here at Kansas.