<table> </table> <strong><span class="infobox-head">FIRST QUARTER</span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> A 37-yard punt return by Colorado&#8217;s Josh Smith switched the field position in the Buffaloes&#8217; favor. They would eventually cash in for a 7-0 lead.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> 5. The number of yards for KU running back Jake Sharp on six carries.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">SECOND QUARTER</span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> KU defensive end Jake Laptad sacked Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins for a 16-yard loss in the end zone for a safety and a 9-7 KU lead.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> One for seven. KU&#8217;s lack of success on third down in the first half.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">THIRD QUARTER</span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> Smith&#8217;s 59-yard kickoff return after a KU touchdown gave the Buffaloes momentum. Hawkins would finish the drive on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, and Colorado trailed just 16-14.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> Three for four. KU&#8217;s improved third-down efficiency in the third quarter.</p><p><strong><span class="infobox-head">FOURTH QUARTER</span></strong><br /> <strong>Key play:</strong> Sharp received an option pitch from Reesing and toted it 7 yards for a KU touchdown, his second of the quarter and third of the game. KU led 30-14.</p><p><strong>Key stat:</strong> 10. The number of carries for Sharp as KU ran down the clock in the fourth.</p><p><strong>Player of the game:</strong> Jake Laptad. The sophomore defensive end picked up a safety and another 1 1/2 sacks, bringing his season total to five.</p><p><strong>Reason to hope:</strong> The Jayhawks contained the best running back they&#8217;ve faced, Colorado&#8217;s Rodney Stewart, and were still effective against the pass.</p><p><strong>Reason to mope:</strong> The Jayhawks will have to face a real passing offense against Oklahoma next week.</p><p><strong>Looking ahead:</strong> KU has two stiff tests coming up against top-10 teams from the South, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Get one of those and the Jayhawks should be happy.</p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> <strong><span class="subhead">&#8194;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&#8217; slow starts offensively will cost them as the schedule toughens. Still, KU looks much better in the run game with Jake Sharp.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td>A</td><td>Defense</td><td align="left">KU&#8217;s defense played against a short field all day and only gave up 14 points. The Jayhawks pressured Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins and finished the day with three sacks.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>D</td><td>Special teams</td><td align="left">KU&#8217;s kickoff return and coverage teams are hurting the Jayhawks&#8217; chances each week. Expect some veteran players to return to those units this week. Also, KU kicker Jacob Branstetter missed a 39-yard field goal, his longest attempt of the year.</td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td>B</td><td>Coaching</td><td align="left">The lack of improvement on special teams is alarming, but so was the improvement defensively.</td></tr> </table> </div> <hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> &#8220;</p><p></div>