Buffs Comeback Falls Short

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -The University of Colorado Buffaloes had their comeback attempt fall short against Kansas, as the No. 15 Jayhawks escaped Boulder with a win for the first first time since 1995.

Kansas (7-0, 3-0 Big 12) has won seven straight to start the season for only the second time since 1968. The team also started 7-0 in 1995.

The Buffaloes scored with 3:42 remaining on Cody Hawkins' 5-yard pass to Byron Ellis to draw Colorado to within five, 19-14.

After the Jayhawks' offense went three-and-out, the defense stepped up. Colorado lost three yards on the final drive before turning it over on downs.

The Jayhawks had gained at least 400 yards and scored 30 or more points in every game coming in, but the Buffaloes limited them to 333 yards of offense.

The Buffaloes (4-4, 2-2) couldn't put the clamps on Kansas sophomore Todd Reesing, though, who made things happen just as much with his legs as his right arm.

Reesing gained 84 yards on seven carries, including a 53-yard scamper in the first half to set up a field goal. He also completed 20 of 29 passes for 153 yards, with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Derek Fine in the fourth quarter.

Reesing has now thrown a touchdown pass in a school-record seven straight games. He had shared the old mark with Kerry Meier (2006), Bill Whittemore (2002) and Bobby Douglass (1968).

Jake Sharp finished with 53 yards rushing, including a 2-yard scoring run up the middle in the third quarter.

Scott Webb kicked fields goals of 48 and 35 yards for the Jayhawks.

Hawkins was 27-of-44 for 287 yards, and had two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times.

The Jayhawks came into the game second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 9.5 points per game. They held Colorado to only 66 yards rushing, more than 76 yards below its season average.

Colorado stunned fourth-ranked Oklahoma 27-24 at home earlier this year, and a little deception in the third quarter made it look like the Buffaloes would take down another ranked unbeaten. Hawkins acted like he had tripped, then suddenly popped up and threw a 27-yard strike to a wide open Tyson DeVree that gave the Buffaloes a 7-3 lead.

The scoring drive was kept alive thanks to a penalty on Kansas for lining up over the head of the long snapper as Colorado was set to punt. It gave the Buffaloes a first down and they scored four plays later.

The Buffaloes held the Jayhawks' offense to a season-low three points in the first half.

But Colorado's offense couldn't take advantage. The Buffaloes had an interception, fumble and missed a 46-yard field goal on three of its trips into Kansas territory in the first half.

Reesing broke off a 53-yard run to set up a 48-yard field goal by Webb early in the second quarter. It was the second-longest run of his career, after a 63-yard run against Colorado last season in his college debut.

Reesing was thrust into that game at halftime to rescue the faltering Jayhawks, burning his redshirt in the process. He led the team to a 20-15 comeback win.

The Buffaloes were on the move late in the first quarter Saturday, but Hugh Charles fumbled at the Kansas 13 as he tried to stretch the ball out to pick up a first down. Kendrick Harper pounced on the loose ball, ending the drive.

The Jayhawks, who were making their first trip outside the sunflower state, beat Kansas State on the road two weeks ago, giving them back-to-back road wins in the same season for the first time since 1995.

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Team Stats

Cody Hawkins

Players Mentioned

Hugh Charles

Tyson DeVree

Byron Ellis

Cody Hawkins