KU Falls to Colorado, 30-21

Nov. 6, 2004

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas fell to Colorado 30-21 Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks returned home for the first time since defeating Kansas State October 9 in a homecoming victory. The Jayhawks used two first half John Randle touchdowns to lead 14-10 at the break, but couldn’t hold on in the second half.

KU (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) looked impressive on the game’s opening drive, taking the ball 80 yards in eight plays capped off by a two-yard Randle touchdown. On the ensuing possession, KU’s Rodney Harris picked off a Joel Klatt pass and the Jayhawks capitalized with a Randle one-yard score.

Colorado (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) got their first points of the first quarter on a 41-yard fumble return by Dominque Brooks for a score. The seven points in the first quarter marked the most given up by Kansas in the opening quarter this season. The Buffaloes added a Mason Crosby field goal before the break. At the half, KU led 14-10.

The second half belonged to Colorado. After an eight-play, 70-yard drive to open the second half, Klatt found Joe Klopfenstein for a four-yard score to give Colorado a 17-14 lead. Kansas would waste no time going 80 yards in 12 plays on the next possession with Brandon Rideau catching a 19-yard touchdown pass from John Nielsen to give the Jayhawks their final lead of the game at 21-17. The Buffaloes added a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter to go into the games final stanza with a 24-21 lead.

In the fourth, Colorado sealed the game on a Lawrence Vickers four-yard touchdown run with under four minutes to play. KU’s quick attempt at a score ended when Nielsen was intercepted by CU’s Terrence Wheatley in the end zone.

“I thought our effort was tremendous,” KU head coach Mark Mangino said. “We made a lot of good plays today, just not enough to win. We felt really good coming into this game, we practiced very well, we just couldn’t make enough plays to win the game.”

KU out gained Colorado 342 to 263 in total offense. Randle rushed 20 times for 61 yards and caught six passes for 35 yards. Tight end Lyonell Anderson had a career-best day, catching five passes for 60 yards. In Nielsen’s first action of the season, the senior went 21-of-31 for 183 yards and a score.

Next week, the Jayhawks will return home for the final time in 2004 to face the Texas Longhorns.