<strong><span class="infobox-head">FIRST QUARTER </span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee fumbled at the KU 1, and running back Roy Helu recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown that gave the Huskers a 7-0 lead.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> The Jayhawks had just 19 total yards.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">SECOND QUARTER </span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> KU quarterback Todd Reesing was hit late by Nebraska safety Larry Asante, giving KU 15 yards and the momentum to get on the board with a Reesing 5-yard run. </p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> Nebraska converted one of six third downs in the first half.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">THIRD QUARTER </span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> KU wide receiver Kerry Meier caught a Reesing pass and fumbled the ball away at the Nebraska 4 just as the Jayhawks were ready to take their first lead.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> The Cornhuskers converted four of five third downs in the third quarter. </p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">FOURTH QUARTER </span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> Kansas nickel back Justin Thornton grabbed the facemask of Nebraska receiver Khiry Cooper, negating a stop for the KU defense when it led 17-16.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> The Jayhawks gave up just one sack to Nebraska but still only managed 17 points.</p><p><strong>Player of the game:</strong> Nebraska receiver Niles Paul. He had four catches for 154 yards and 244 all-purpose yards. </p><p><strong>Reason to hope:</strong> It&rsquo;s only a game?</p><p><strong>Reason to mope:</strong> The Jayhawks are running out of chances to become eligible for their third straight bowl appearance. Texas and Missouri are left, and both teams looked impressive on Saturday. </p><p><strong>Looking ahead:</strong> The Longhorns await in another ABC game for the ailing Jayhawks. </p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> <strong><span class="subhead">&ensp;REPORT CARD</span></strong></p><p><span style="line-height:0"><br clear="all" /></span><table border="0" class="story-table"> <tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>B-</td><td>Offense</td><td align="left">The Jayhawks showed flashes of getting it together after a tough month but still couldn&rsquo;t break through because of dropped passes and a crucial fumble in Nebraska territory.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td>C</td><td>Defense</td><td align="left">The Jayhawks once again didn&rsquo;t have the steam to make crucial stops in the fourth quarter. Giving up 214 rushing yards and 410 total yards to the Nebraska offense is a step back.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>D</td><td>Special teams</td><td align="left">KU took a 17-16 lead and immediately lost momentum because of a 44-yard kickoff return by Niles Paul. The Huskers averaged 37.3 yards per kickoff return.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td>B</td><td>Coaching</td><td align="left">Mark Mangino made a great move putting Jeff Spikes at right guard, shutting down Ndamukong Suh. But the Jayhawks&rsquo; went away from Toben Opurum for a stretch in the second half after Opurum was clearly the better back on Saturday.</td></tr> </table> </div> <hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> &ldquo;</p><p></div>