LAWRENCE, KAN. — Colorado’s offense sputtered once again in a 30-14 loss this afternoon to No. 16 Kansas before 49,566 at Memorial Stadium, extending the Buffaloes’ losing streak to three games.
According to KOA radio, CU coach Dan Hawkins told the team at halftime that this game would be “a defining moment” for Colorado’s season. With a second consecutive conference loss, Colorado (3-3, 0-2 Big 12) has dug itself into a hole.
After a quarterback sneak by CU sophomore Cody Hawkins with six seconds left in the third quarter pulled the visitors to within 16-14, Kansas (5-1, 2-0) needed just seven plays to drive 76 yards for a touchdown and enough breathing room.
Once again, Colorado’s offense struggled. The Buffs managed only 38 yards passing in the first half.
Hawkins finished 8-for-22 passing with for 90 yards, with two interceptions. He was replaced by Matt Ballenger late in the game.
After the game, coach Hawkins put to rest any notion that a quarterback controversy might be looming.
“Cody will start,” Hawkins said of CU’s home game Saturday against Kansas State.
Kansas, which had not trailed in any of its first three home games, finally took the lead at 9-7 when Cody Hawkins was tackled for a safety with 8:07 remaining before halftime.
After taking the snap from the Colorado 16, Hawkins tried to avoid a pass rush by scrambling to his left in the end zone. Bad move. The quarterback was dragged down from behind by Jake Laptad, a 6-4, 249-pound defensive end.
“He just lost concentration and did something he shouldn’t have done,” Dan Hawkins said after the game.
Colorado struck first. Not long after Cody Crawford had a pass stolen from him by cornerback Kendrick Harper at the Kansas 4 for an interception, Cody Hawkins went right back to the senior wide receiver. Twice in fact.
Following a poor Kansas punt, Hawkins hit Crawford for a 16-yard gain to the KU 11 on a similar post pattern. Then, after a run by Demetrius Sumler for no gain, Hawkins led Crawford in the far right corner of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:15 remaining in the first quarter.
CU’s ability to move the ball kept Kansas backed up for much of the first half. Ironically, The Jayhawks’ lone touchdown before halftime began with their worst field position — starting at their 24.
But Kansas needed only seven plays to race 76 yards, tying the score at 7-7 when junior tailback Jake Sharp scored on a 1-yard run over right guard with 8:56 remaining in the second quarter.
Sharp finished with 118 yards on 31 carries and three touchdowns, while Todd Reesing threw for 256 yards and another score.
Colorado squandered two scoring opportunities in the first half — a problem that has plagued the Buffs all season. In addition to Crawford getting the ball swiped from him at the 5-yard line in the first quarter, Hawkins threw an interception with 1:04 to go before halftime.
On third-and-7 from the KU 27, Crawford appeared open on a sideline pattern. But the ball arrived a tad too late, giving Darrel Stuckey enough time to dart in front of the Buff receiver and grab the ball a step before going out of bounds.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
