Kansas Jayhawks Football vs Kansas State Wildcats Recap

Kansas fans came into today’s game hoping their Jayhawks would not be embarrassed, and for the most part, I think that was accomplished.

The game actually started off well for KU, as the jayhawks took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field. The drive eventually stalled and KU settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long, as K-State responded right away with a touchdown drive on their first possession. Things quickly turned south for the KU offense, who would struggle for the rest of the first half, including a K-State pick-6, and the Wildcats took a 20-3 lead into the break.

KSU would open up the third quarter with an 11 play, 75 yard touchdown drive, and KU was staring at a 24 point deficit and a real possibility of getting blown out. A three-and-out at that point by the KU offense didn’t help that feeling any, however, the Jayhawk defense forced a K-State punt. KU got the ball on the KSU 5-yard line and one play later, Quiv Gonzalez was dancing in the end zone after Carter Stanley hit him in stride on a deep pass.

KU’s offense woke up in the second half, scoring on three of their six possessions, but it wasn’t enough, and KU fell by a 34-19 final.

It wasn’t the pasting that it usually has been in the Bill Snyder era. Kansas had over 400 yards of total offense, but was only 4-14 on third downs. (When was the last time KU had 400 yards of offense vs K-State? I don’t want to look.) The Jayhawks also didn’t force any turnovers on defense until late in the 4th quarter, when it was really too late to matter.

One has to think, though, had David Beaty had called plays all season long the same way he did in the fourth quarter of this game, how much better would the KU offense look? KU was aggressive, going down the field, and making things happen. Carter Stanley did a lot of running for his life, but that was to be expected considering the game situation - K-State knew KU would be passing a lot, and didn’t hold back on the pass rush. I thought the offensive line did OK today, all things considered.

We’ll take a closer look at the K-State game over the next day or two, but for now, the comments section is yours.