Colorado Wrap

News, notes and quotes on KU football while wrapping up the Jayhawks’ 30-14 win over Colorado at Memorial Stadium, and wondering if Kansas can defy the odds and upset Oklahoma next Saturday in Norman. The No. 1 Sooners fell to No. 5 Texas, 45-35, today in Dallas. KU hasn’t beaten OU in Norman since 1996, when the ‘Hawks crushed the Sooners, 52-24.

*KU won its third straight game over CU, matching the Jayhawks’ best streak against CU since 1962-64.

*KU posted its 13-straight home victory and  22nd win of its last 24 games at Memorial Stadium. It was also KU’s 18th victory in its last 19 games against unranked teams.

*Kansas held CU to just 91 yards rushing and 196 total yards of offense, the second-lowest total yards of the season. The Jayhawks gave up 139 total yards of offense against FIU in the season opener on Aug. 30.

*Sophomore defensive end Jake Laptad continues to make big plays. Laptad, who was KU’s defensive player of the game last week versus Iowa State (he had two tackles, a sack, broke up a pass, and recovered a fumble), recorded a decisive sack for a safety in the second quarter, giving KU a 9-7 lead. The ‘Hawks never trailed the rest of the way. Laptad leads the Jayhawks with six sacks this year and is also tied with senior linebacker James Holt with six tackles for loss.

*Junior safety Darrell Stuckey picked up his second interception of the season, which now ties him with sophomore Phillip Strozier for team lead. Senior cornerback Kendrick Harper also recorded an interception.

*Junior Jake Sharp rushed for a  season-high 118 yards on a career-best 31 carries. He also posted a career high with three rushing touchdowns. Sharp’s 118 yards were the most by a KU running back this year, and his three TDs tied him for sixth place in school history for rushing touchdowns in a game. Jon Cornish was the last Jayhawk to rush for three touchdowns in one game against Appalachian State in 2005.

*Sophomore wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe caught his team-high sixth touchdown of the season. Briscoe is now tied with Marcus Henry for fifth place on the school’s career touchdown receptions list.

*KU failed to score a point last week against Iowa State until the third quarter. The ‘Hawks again came out slow versus Colorado. They didn’t tally their first points until a one-yard touchdown run by Sharp at the 8:56 mark of the second quarter, tying the game at 7-all. KU coach Mark Mangino lamented the poor special teams play, which gave KU poor field position.

“We cannot put this much stress on our offense and defense,” Mangino said, adding personnel changes would be made on special teams.

He said improving special teams is his “number one priority going into practice next week.”

*Junior quarterback Todd Reesing posted 289 yards of total offense (256 passing yards and 33 rushing yards), moving him past Chip Hilleary into second place on the KU career total offensive yard chart (6,084).

*Holt led KU with 10 tackles, his second best mark of the season. Holt recorded 13 stops at South Florida.

*Freshman tight end Tim Biere posted career highs with two catches for 26 yards.

*Sophomore Alonso Rojas recorded a 77-yard punt in the third quarter, tying for the ninth-longest punt in KU history.

*KU’s 1968 Orange Bowl team was honored on Kivisto Field after the third quarter, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pepper Rogers’ squad. KU went  9-2 (6-1 in Big Eight) in ‘68. The No. 6 Jayhawks lost to No. 3 Penn State in the Orange Bowl, 15-14.

*The Jayhawks now begin a stretch against Oklahoma next Saturday playing four of its next six games against top-10 ranked Big 12 foes.

“I see a great opportunity. I see an opportunity for our football team to make a statement,” Mangino said.

“That’s what you come to play ball for,” Reesing added. “We’re excited about the challenge.”