Inside the Tent: Kansas 30, Colorado 14

“The play was 16 yards out and I wasn’t expecting a safety on that play. I just fired out and I wasn’t expecting to get past the running back who was trying to block me inside. For some reason the quarterback tried to get to the outside and Max (o) was pressuring from the backside, and I got a safety.”
--Jake Laptad, on the safety

From Row 46

Can you feel it? There's opportunity in the air. With a workman-like effort against Colorado to take a 30-14 home win, the Jayhawks find themselves with a full-game lead in the North Division race. Now, the Kansas football team heads to Norman, Oklahoma for another "game they just can't win."

Hey, it feels like October 2007 all over again. Well, maybe the Jayhawks aren't clicking in all three sectors yet, but yesterday's defense sure looked a lot like the 2007 unit. Yeah, they allowed two TDs, but those came on drives of 28 and 41 yards. Otherwise, the defense looked solid all day long and we now appear to have a valid pass rush. With two tackles and a sack and a half, Jake Laptad is another step closer to being considered a threat. Let the dogs loose.

At times Rodney Stewart gave KU some problems but they adjusted and kept him under control. For the most part, the secondary provided good coverage and even on passes allowed rarely were the DBs too far out of position. The targeted Kendrick Harper quite a bit, and he allowed some passes but battled back. Overall, it was a step forward on the defensive side of the ball for KU.

The Cornishization of Jake Sharp
It was good to see Jake Sharp collect 118 yards, but I'm still not sure that trying to turn him into Jon Cornish is the right way to go. The two back system has worked pretty well in most of the seasons that Mark Mangino has been here. It was a good performance, but the 3.8 ypc is not where I think we need to be. Maybe I'm being too critical as the Buffs do have a solid run defense and this was the best rushing performance of the season. Overall, the offense looked better as the game progressed. Considering Todd Reesing's quotes, it's clear the long fields early on are starting to bother the unit.

Special Teams
Yeah, it's time to put in more starters. The quest for someone that can catch a punt continues (it is 2007!). Dexton had a nice return, but I think both he and Daymond struggled to judge the ball in the wind.

Worst performance by an actor in a leading role
Mark Mangino for his plea to the students. Of course, I think it starts with script problems, but he didn't appear comfortable reading from cards far to the right of the camera. I would suggest an alternative ending -- "Students, you don't have to yell rip his (expletive) head off, because I'm going to get more starters in this week and I promise you that we'll rip his (expletive) head off. Some things are just better left unsaid."

The Highway Crew Tears It Up in Columbia
But I thought Oklahoma State wasn't any good. Isn't that one of the "cupcake" teams that KU had to play last year?