A (Semi) Statistical Recap of Oklahoma State

Unfortunately, there’s not much good to talk about from a Kansas perspective regarding this one. As expected, the OSU offense pretty much had its way with the Kansas defense, although, KU did force several field goal attempts as well as a surprising five punts from the Cowboys. So, not a completely terrible showing there. KU managed to get off the field on third down for the most part, as OSU converted just 4-12 (33.3%) attempts.

Also consider that Oklahoma State came into the game averaging two plays of 50+ yards per game; the Jayhawks only gave up one such play, and even at that it was “just” 51 yards. Still, OSU gained yards close to their season average at a nice 6.9 yards per play clip while putting up nearly 500 yards of total offense.

However, on the other side, the Kansas offense was just dreadful. Even when the Jayhawks were gifted the ball on the OSU 25-yard line midway through the first quarter, KU could only gain 8 yards and then missed the field goal attempt.

In fact, Kansas only had 3 drives (out of 13) where the offense ran more than six plays - and all 3 of those drives came in what the advanced stats refer to as garbage time.

So, let’s take out the garbage time stats (basically, don’t count the fourth quarter). When Kansas still “had a chance” so to speak, KU averaged 1.7 yards per carry, and 2.8 yards per play. (That number goes all the way up to 4.1 yards per play for the entire game.) Kansas quarterbacks combined to go 7-15 for 69 yards in the first three quarters with 3 INTs.

Awful.

As good as the KU defense was at getting off the field on third down, the offense nearly matched them, converting just 6-17 (35.3%) attempts.

Somehow, the Jayhawks and Cowboys were each credited with running 70 offensive plays; OSU just did (literally) nearly twice as much with theirs.

Kansas finished -3 in turnovers, with three different QBs throwing INTs. OSU did not have a single turnover.

The Good

There’s not much to choose from, so I guess I’ll go with the bend but don’t break defense. While OSU still chewed up yardage, KU forced four field goal attempts along with five punts. Kansas was also credited with 8 total TFL, a forced fumble, and 3 QBH. I bet if I were to look, those numbers would be among season highs in terms of TFL and QBH.

The Bad

The Kansas run game just never got going. Pooka Williams was bottled up all day long, with a long run of just 10 yards. I don’t know if it’s the playcalling or the O-line or something else - it’s probably a combination of factors - but Kansas needs to get back to throwing the ball down the field like they did against BC, UT, and TTU.

The Ugly

The offense as a whole was just hard to watch. It felt like every drive was run, incomplete pass, run, punt. Add in the three turnovers, and the offense just never gave the Jayhawks a chance in this one. It was way to reminiscent of the David Beaty era for me.

The Stats

Carter Stanley completed 22-37 passes for 226 yards, 2 TDs, and an INT. However, it should be noted that in the fourth quarter alone (i.e., garbage time) Stanley was 15-22 for 157 yards and those 2 TDs.

Manny Miles came in early in the second quarter to try and give the Jayhawks according to coach Miles in the postgame. Manny went 4-8 for 25 yards with an INT.

Thomas MacVittie ran one play, a trick play, and threw an INT.

Pooka Williams gained just 26 yards on 12 carries.

Velton Gardner picked up 10 yards on 3 carries.

Stephon Robinson had 6 receptions for 68 yards and a TD.

Andrew Parchment hauled in 5 passes for 39 yards.

Kwamie Lassiter added 5 receptions for 35 yards.

There was also a Daylon Charlot sighting; he had 46 yards on 3 catches.

Quan Hampton got in the game late, grabbing 2 catches for 19 yards and a TD.

Mike Lee was credited with 9 tackles, 1 TFL, and a forced fumble.

Davon Ferguson had 8 tackles with a TFL.

Jay Dineen added 6 tackles with 2.5 TFL.

Liam Jones missed his only field goal attempt, a 42-yarder.

Kyle Thompson kicked 7 punts for a 42.7 average, including three punts that went 50+ yards.