November 06, 2010

Kansas' Amazing Comeback Defeats Colorado 52-45 in Football

Nov. 6, 2010

Final Stats in PDF Format

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman running back James Sims scored four touchdowns including the game winner with 52 seconds remaining as Kansas scored 42 second half points to defeat Colorado 52-45 in football on a sunny Saturday football afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Down 45-17 with 14:52 remaining, Kansas scored the final 35 points of the contest to claim the victory and improve to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in Big 12 play. The victory ended an 11-game conference losing streak for Kansas and a four-game losing skid overall. Colorado lost its fifth straight and fell to 3-6 overall and 0-5 in conference play.

The win was the largest deficit overcome, 28 points, in Kansas football history. KU’s 35 fourth-quarter points set a school record for most points scored in a quarter.

KU’s 35 fourth-quarter points were the second most scored in a fourth quarter to win a game in NCAA history behind only BYU’s 36 points in a 50-36 win against Washington State in 1990.

Sims scored his second touchdown of the contest on a 13-yard rush capping a nine-play, 66-yard drive with 11:05 remaining. The Jayhawks then recovered an onside kick and quarterback Quinn Mecham hit wide receiver Jonathan Wilson on a 38-yard touchdown pass to make the score 45-31 with 9:26 to play.

KU’s next score came on five plays into CU’s next possession as Jayhawk sophomore defensive end Toben Opurum forced a fumble that nickelback Tyler Patmon returned 38 yards for a touchdown to make 45-38 with 7:12 remaining.

On the next CU drive, Patmon intercepted a Cody Hawkins pass. KU wide receiver Daymond Patterson then made a one-handed catch from Mecham for 22 yards and Sims went the final 20 yards on four carries to tie the score at 45-45 with 4:30 to play. Sims scored on a six-yard rush to knot the game.

With complete momentum on its side, Kansas forced three-and-out by Colorado and took over at its own 37 yard line. Six plays later, Sims bolted up the middle to give Kansas a 52-45 lead with 46 seconds remaining.

Colorado came roaring back and drove to the KU seven-yard line with eight seconds remaining. Hawkins’ first attempt was bobbled in the end zone by wide receiver Paul Richardson and his final attempt was overthrown securing the KU comeback victory.

For the game, Kansas outgained Colorado 464-453. Sims ended the day with 123 yards on 20 carries and his four touchdowns were the most by a Jayhawk since Jake Sharp also rushed for four scores against Kansas State in 2008.

Mecham ended the contest 23-for-28 for 252 yards and two touchdowns.

The first half was all Colorado as the Buffs built a 35-10 lead. Colorado scored on its first three possessions of the game and looked in complete control.

Down 28-3 following a touchdown by CU running back Rodney Stewart late in the second quarter, Kansas was in two-minute offense mode and drove the ball 82 yards in eight plays when Kansas quarterback Quinn Mecham hit running back D.J. Beshears for a 19-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing drive, Colorado took advantage of two KU penalties to go 62 yards in 41 seconds to make the score 35-10 at the half.

The game marked Colorado’s final conference trip to Memorial Stadium. Colorado is in its final year of being a member of the Big 12 before joining the Pac-10 Conference. Kansas and Colorado have been in the same league since CU joined the Big Seven Conference in 1948.

Kansas will next play at No. 9 Nebraska at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Fox Sports Net will produce the pay-per-view telecast in HD. The game will be available on participating cable systems in Nebraska and Kansas, as well as nationally on participating satellite and telco systems. Suggested retail price for the telecast is $39.95.