A (Semi) Statistical Recap of Oklahoma State

What if I told you that KU would trail early in the fourth quarter by just 13 points to Oklahoma State? Would you take that?

Sure you would.

It still doesn’t mean the game was particularly close or competitive. The Cowboys outgained the Jayhawks 568 yards to 368. The number of total plays for each team was nearly identical: OSU ran 66 plays, KU 64. But the efficiency difference is almost mind-boggling. OSU gained 8.6 yards per play; KU just 5.7.

The Jayhawks continued to struggle on third down, converting just 3-13 (23.0%). KU is now just 24-75 (32.0%) on the season and has yet to have a game over 50.0%.

And once again, field position was an issue, with Kansas beginning just two possessions outside of its own 25-yard line, and no possessions began in OSU territory.

Kansas did not punt from plus territory in this game, but there was a 4th-and-1 from its own 34 yard line early in the third quarter where the Jayhawks punted. In my opinion, they probably should have gone for it, as they were already trailing 31-14. Punting at that point, even in your own territory, is just waving a white flag.

The Good

#StarterStanley just turned in a top-11 performance by a QB in the David Beaty era. Read for yourself about how ridiculous it is that he hasn’t gotten more PT.

The Bad

The offensive line is a mess, y’all. Not only was Pooka bottled up outside of one breakout play, Carter Stanley was constantly running for his life. OSU racked up 5 sacks and 9 TFL on the day.

The Ugly

Remember when the defense looked good, like, two weeks ago? Yeah, that’s gone. Receivers were constantly running open in the secondary while the quarterback had all day to throw. That’s, uh, not a good combination. This strategy worked great against CMU and Rutgers, but Big 12 offenses are tearing it apart. It didn’t work last year and it’s not working this year. Bowen has got to try something different.

The Stats

Carter Stanley started (finally!) and went 24-32 (75.0%) for 247 yards, 3 TDs, and ZERO INTs, including completing 18 of his first 22 attempts. He did all this while battling the flu, too.

Pooka Williams went for 97 yards and a TD on 13 carries, but 60 of those yards came on one run. That means on his other attempts, he averaged just 3.0 ypc. However, Pooka was a central figure in the passing game, picking up 60 yards on 6 receptions.

Khalil Herbert had three carries and zero yardage. Why just three carries? MORE KHALIL HERBERT PLZ.

Steven Sims had his bets game of 2018, picking up 89 yards and a TD on 10 receptions. He also added 23 rushing yards on one attempt.

Kerr Johnson added 4 receptions for 34 yards.

Jeremiah Booker is becoming Mr. Touchdown, as his one grab went for 22 yards and, you guessed it, a touchdown.

Quan Hampton, Kwamie Lassiter, and Takulve Williams each had one catch, with Lassiter’s going for a TD.

Bryce Torneden led the Jayhawks in tackles with 11, including 1 TFL.

Joe Dineen added 10 tackles, including 1 TFL.

Elmore Hempstead had just one tackle but got KU’s only turnover, an interception of OSU QB Taylor Cornelius.

Gabriel Rui missed his only field goal attempt, a 52-yarder with the wind at his back.

Kyle Thompson punted 6 times for a 41.0 average.