Kansas Jayhawks at Baylor Bears (Semi) Statistical Recap

Progress? What progress?

A week after nearly knocking off TCU, Kansas went to Waco and just took a beating.

Even the defensive stats in this game have to be taken with a grain of salt, as Baylor basically didn’t try in the second half. Baylor had 284 of their 453 or 63% of their yards in the first half.

So yes, KU held Baylor under their season average of yards. Kansas forced three field goal attempts. Kansas held Baylor to only 21 points off of its 5(!!!) turnovers. Baylor converted just 7 of 17 third down attempts.

Seth Russell only completed 9-22 passes (41%) for 144 yards. That is a bit deceiving, as he missed several open receivers in the Kansas secondary. Baylor still averaged 5.0 yards per rush and 6.9 yards per pass attempt.

Baylor had 8 pass attempts in the second half.

The Good

Um... ? Nobody got hurt? I got nuthin. Actually, I guess I can go with special teams, right? Punter Cole Moos was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 50.4 yards per punt on 8 punts. Four punts went over 50 yards, one went 73 yards, and another rolled 82 yards. Of course, there was also a significant wind, so, yeah.

The Bad and The Ugly

I can’t decide between the two, so everything else is going here. As mentioned above, the defense wasn’t very good prior to garbage time. Meanwhile, the offense was absolutely putrid. Kansas only totaled 217 yards offensively. They turned it over five times. They were 3-15 on third downs. They averaged 1.7 yards per rush (mostly due to sacks). Speaking of sacks, Baylor was credited with 5, plus 10 TFLs.

Baylor constantly pressured the quarterback despite consistently rushing from three and four-man fronts. Meanwhile, Kansas, which had been averaging almost 10 TFLs per game, only had 3.

And of course, Kansas turned the ball over five times. FIVE TIMES! Four interceptions (3 by Willis) and a fumble. That makes 6 picks for Willis in the last two games. The turnovers have to stop.

The Stats

Ryan Willis started and played midway through the third quarter. Willis finished 10/19 for 89 yards, no TDs, and 3 INTs.

Carter Stanley relieved Willis and led KU on five drives in the second half. The first drive went for a touchdown; the last four went Punt, INT, Punt, End of Game. Stanley finished 3/8 for 45 yards with an INT.

Ke’aun Kinner didn’t start but led the Jayhawks in rushing yards and attempts, getting 49 yards on 15 carries. Why is he not starting? Why is he not the feature back? Do I need to shout? MOAR KINNER PLEASE!

Khalil Herbert played mostly in the second half, getting 9 carries for 34 yards. He also scored KU’s only TD of the day.

Taylor Martin started at RB and got 7 carries for 23 yards.

Stephen Sims Jr. had 40 yards receiving on just two receptions.

Quiv Gonzalez led KU in receptions with 5 but picked up just 29 yards.

Jeremiah Booker caught a pass! It went for 27 yards.

Fish Smithson tied for the team lead in tackles with 8, and 7 solo.

Mike Lee also had 8 tackles, 7 solo, and added a TFL.

Dorrance Armstrong had KU’s only sack of the day, and added 4 tackles, with two solo. He was also credited with a QB hurry.

Cole Moos, as mentioned earlier, punted 8 times for an average of 50.4 yards per punt with a long of 82.