A statistical review of Memphis vs Kansas

Since I was traveling during the Jayhawks' game against Memphis Saturday night, I was only able to watch on my phone using pretty inconsistent data signal. That makes it difficult for me to do my usual weekly report card, because I wasn't really able to pay attention to the performance of specific position groups.

With this in mind, I've decided to forgo the weekly report card and evaluate the game based on something a little more concrete than what my blurry feed provided for me: the box score. Here are some highlights of the game beyond what you may see in looking at the basic numbers:

-Memphis gained 8.2 yards per play. The previous week, Missouri State had held them to 6.4. Kansas is now allowing 7.38 yards per play this year, good for 126th in FBS

-Cozart completed 13 of 28 passes. Of the ten games in which Cozart has thrown multiple passes in his career, he his completion rate has been above 50% in just three. He also averaged just 4.21 yards per attempt, well below the 5.48 he averaged before getting benched for Michael Cummings last year

-Ke'Aun Kinner did something not even James Sims was able to do, which is run for over 100 yards in each of his first two games as a Jayhawk. Kinner picked up 113 yards on 17 carries (7.1 ypc), and now has 270 yards (6.28 ypc) and 3 TDs on the season. He's currently 12th in FBS in rushing yards

-After failing to appear on the depth chart for week one, Tyler Patrick led the team in receptions this week with six. Unfortunately, he was only able to gain 38 total yards off these catches

-Matthew Wyman booted 5 of his 6 kickoffs for touchbacks, making him 9 of 13 in that department through two games

-In the 3rd quarter alone, Memphis reeled off 24 points and 272 yards in 22 plays from scrimmage, accounting for 42% of their yards and 44% of their points for the game

-Kansas had three tackles for loss in this game. Through two games, they've totaled six, which ties them for 117th in FBS

-Ben Goodman's 2 sacks put him at 3.5 for the year. That's good for 5th in FBS, and the Jayhawks' five total sacks put them in the top 50. Look for Goodman to get double-teamed a LOT from here on out

-For the second straight week, Kansas was penalized seven times against Memphis. They've been penalized for 143 yards this year, 93rd in FBS

-After going 4 for 5 on fourth down conversions in week one, Kansas went for it just once on fourth down this week. They did not convert. I will be harping on this all year long

-After making three field goals Saturday, Kansas is now a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts in 2015. It will be interesting to see if this continues given their struggles at placekicker in recent years

-Memphis scored 3.67 points per possession in this game compared to Kansas' 1.53. Kansas efficiency margin now sits at -1.83, which is 118th in FBS

There's your overview of the numbers from Saturday. Honestly, I'm glad I wasn't able to see a lot of the game. The Jayhawks get this weekend off, then travel to New Jersey to face a struggling Rutgers team. Having just spent several days in New Jersey, I feel truly sorry for both teams

Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me at penhawkrct@gmail.com, and follow me on Twitter @BL_analytics