Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kansas Jayhawks: A (Semi) Statistical Recap

Well here we go again.

I’m gonna start off by saying the defense played well. You’re gonna think I’m crazy. It’s gonna be the same song and verse akin to Ohio, Memphis, Texas Tech, and TCU. But once again, I’ll wow you with logic, reason, and stats!

The first, and most important stat, is that Kansas wore navy uniforms at home for the first time since November 13, 2004. Does that sound familiar? It should - that was the infamous “Dollar Signs” game. Anyway, Kansas looked sharp, and I don’t care if it’s not in the current color scheme, this needs to be a regular look for KU football. Even the matte helmets looked great. I’m more than a little upset that of our two photo vendors, Getty Images and USA Today, apparently neither one had a photographer at the game, hence the image you see above.

FYI, Kansas used to wear navy back in the early 1960s, and if you’ll recall, the Jayhawks were pretty salty back then. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

The next stat I want to throw at you is field position. Not including the final possession of the game, Oklahoma State’s average drive start was their own 42-yard line. That’s almost midfield, folks. Four times (again, not including the final possession) OSU started in KU territory. Two of those times, they started inside the KU 20. One of those times, they started on the KU 1-yard line.

Of those four possessions that started inside KU territory, OSU scored two touchdowns and two field goals. I’m not sure there’s much more you can expect out of a defense put in those situations multiple times in a game.

In a related stat, Oklahoma State scored 17 points off of three Kansas turnovers. (Last week, Baylor only scored 21 points off of five KU turnovers.) OSU put up those 17 points by gaining a grand total of 29 yards.

Oklahoma State only had four what I’ll call “legit drives” where they drove the field on Kansas 70+ yards and scored. Two of those came late in the fourth quarter.

The final stat I’m gonna put out there is third down conversion percentage. Oklahoma State was just 5 of 13 (38.4%) converting third downs. That’s pretty good, y’all. Prior to Saturday’s game, KU ranked 31st nationally in this stat, at 34.1%, ahead of teams like Miami FL, Georgia, Baylor, K-State, Texas, North Carolina, and Michigan State.

The Good

For the most part, the defense. Not only for the reasons explained above, but they continually harassed Mason Rudolph, sacking him 5 times and being officially credited with 3 QB hurries.

Ke’aun Kinner also deserves a bump here, as he had a great game despite a fumble. Kinner took 14 carries for 145 yards, an average of 10.4 YPC.

The Bad

The one part of the defense that wasn’t good? The rush defense. Justice Hill had 22 carries for 162 yards, a 7.4 YPC. As a team, OSU rushed for 230 yards on 46 carries, good for 5.0 YPC. That’s... bad.

Montell Cozart also deserves a bump here, but I’m gonna single out his second half performance and not his performance as a whole. First half Cozart was 13/19; Second half Cozart was 11/21 with two INTs (granted, one of those INTs is completely on Quiv Gonzalez).

The Ugly

David Beaty must have gone to a clock management seminar given by Andy Reid this past offseason, and it showed on Saturday. The end of the first half was just terrible. Or ugly. Or whatever you want to call it. Also, why are we punting with 8 minutes left in the game, down three scores? I don’t care where the ball is on the field at that point. Just tell your team to go ahead and hit the locker room.

The Stats

Montell Cozart earned the starting nod and as already discussed played well to start off the game, completing six of his first seven passes. Cozart’s final line was 24-40 for 250 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. One of those INT’s was not his fault, as the pass bounced off a receiver’s hands and facemask and was grabbed by OSU. Cozart added 30 rushing yards on six carries and was not sacked. In fact, Cozart has yet to be sacked this season.

Beaty is already on record as saying that Cozart will start next weekend at Oklahoma.

Denzell Evans started at RB lost 1 yard on his only carry.

Ke’aun Kinner had himself a game, going for 145 yards on just 14 carries. He did have a costly fumble in the third quarter that helped to put the Jayhawks in a hole from which they wouldn’t recover. However, despite the fumble, MOAR KINNER PLEASE!

I want to see Kinner start the game. I want to see Kinner on first down. I want to see Kinner on second down. I want to see Kinner on third down. Maybe after he rips of a 50+ yard run you can spell him for couple of plays, but I want more of Ke’aun Kinner. Am I making myself perfectly clear?

Have I not been saying this since Week 3? I will yell until David Beaty’s ears burn: MOAR. KE’AUN. KINNER.

Taylor Martin picked up 32 yards on 11 carries, and punched one into the end zone.

Quiv Gonzalez led the team in receiving yards with 106 on 6 receptions, including a TD. It could have been a lot more, though, had this not happened.

Stephen Sims, Jr. led KU in receptions with 9 for 90 yards.

Bobby Hartzog, Jr. picked up 4 receptions for 30 yards.

Fish Smithson had one of his best days defensively with 16 tackles, 14 solo, and a Sack. Fish also recovered a Mason Rudolph fumble.

Mike Lee added 9 tackles, all solo.

Dorrance Armstrong, Jr. had 4 tackles, 2 TFLs, a Sack, and a QB hurry.

DeeIsaac Davis also had his name called several times, with 5 tackles, 4 solo, and a Sack.

Daniel Wise continued his solid play this season, with 4 tackles, 3 solo, and a Sack.

Matthew Wyman was 2-3 on field goals, making from 29 and 40 yards, and having a 59-yard attempt blocked just before the half.

Cole Moos punted 4 times for a 45.7 yard average.