Jayhawks Return Home to Host Colorado
Nov. 2, 2004
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) football team returns home for the first time since Oct. 9 when the team hosts Colorado (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) on Nov. 6. Kickoff against the Buffaloes is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. from KU’s Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks are 3-1 at home this season and are outscoring the opposition by an average of 17.2 points per game on their home turf.
“In some ways, Colorado is like us,” said KU head coach Mark Mangino. ” They have lost some tough games. Their offense, at times, has been explosive throwing the ball. Joel Klatt is certainly a quality quarterback. When he is hot, he can do some damage.”
The Jayhawks are coming off a 13-7 loss at Iowa State despite holding the Cyclones to just 192 yards of total offense (141 rushing, 51 passing) in the game. ISU parlayed two field goals and a defensive touchdown (30 yard fumble recovery) into the victory. KU scored its first touchdown with 3:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and was driving in the game’s final minute before an Iowa State interception sealed the game for the Cyclones.
Colorado enters the game against Kansas on the heels of a 31-7 loss at the hands of No. 6 Texas on Oct. 30 in Boulder, Colo. The Buffaloes took a 7-0 lead on a 37-yard interception return by Terren Wheatley in the first quarter, but the Longhorns scored 31 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to grab the win.
KU NOTES
— The KU defense ranks third in the Big 12 allowing the opposition to convert on 29.1 percent of its third down chances. Opponents have converted 34-of-117 third down tries.
— The KU defense ranks third in the Big 12 by allowing 112.2 rushing yards per game. KU has held three different opponents to less than 65 total rush yards. Only Oklahoma (85.6 ypg) and Nebraska (93.2 ypg) have been better at stopping the run.
— KU linebacker Nick Reid ranks second in the Big 12 with 10.4 tackles per game. He is just one of two Big 12 players who average more than 10 tackles per contest. He is also third in the conference with an average of 1.19 tackles for loss per contest.
— Saturday’s game against Colorado marks the second time in KU’s last six games that the Jayhawks will square off against a team that did not participate in a bowl game last year. In all, eight teams that saw action in bowl contests a year ago highlight the 2004 KU football schedule. KU opponents coming off bowl appearances in 2003 include Tulsa (Humanitarian Bowl), Northwestern (Motor City Bowl), Texas Tech (Houston Bowl), Nebraska (Alamo Bowl), Kansas State (Fiesta Bowl), Oklahoma (Sugar Bowl), Texas (Holiday Bowl) and Missouri (Independence Bowl).
— Cornerback Charles Gordon has four interceptions this year. Only one other Jayhawk (Remuise Johnson, 6) has had more picks in a season for the `Hawks since 1985.
— KU —
