A (Semi) Statistical Recap of Boston College

Huh.

So THAT’S what offense looks like?

Cool.

Let’s do it some more!

Following two abysmal offensive performances in the first two weeks of the season, Kansas nearly doubled its offensive output for 2019 Friday night in Chestnut Hill as the Jayhawks pounded BC by a 48-24 final score.

The game started off not great for Kansas, but KU outscored BC 41-7 over the final three quarters of play for an impressive, dominating victory.

And that’s what really stood out to me. Kansas went out, made in-game adjustments (!!!), and just plain dominated another P5 team - on the road, even. It didn’t take six turnovers; in fact, KU was -1 in turnover differential.

Nor did it take 250 yards from Pooka (or some other crazy individual performance). It didn’t take a butt fumble or some other fluky or lucky play. Kansas just lined up and beat a good opponent, something we haven’t seen since... the Insight Bowl?

BC opened the game with a 93.3% chance to win per ESPN’s FPI. By halftime, it was down to 64.8% even though the Jayhawks had a four-point lead. When the fourth quarter started, BC was down to just a 5.2% chance of victory as the scoreboard read 41-24 Jayhawks.

In its first two games of the season, Kansas totaled just 624 yards of total offense (5.2 yards per play); against Boston College, the Jayhawks racked up 567 yards (7.8 ypp). KU went for 7.3 yards per rush, aided by an 82-yard run by Khalil Herbert that set up KU’s touchdown right before halftime.

Meanwhile, BC averaged just over 5.0 yards per play (while running 16 more offensive plays than KU). The Jayhawks did an excellent job of containing BC’s AJ Dillon, and by containing, I mean they limited big plays. Don’t get me wrong, Dillon was still a horse (and put up 151 yards), but his longest run was 31 yards, and that came on BC’s second play from scrimmage. Dillon also had a 24-yard run in the second quarter, but no other runs over 10 yards (out of 27 total attempts).

As mentioned earlier, the Jayhawks were -1 in turnovers on the night when Carter Stanley’s first pass attempt found a wide-open BC safety. However, Stanley rebounded to have a great game and the KU defense stiffened up as well. Kansas forced two fumbles, but didn’t recover either one. The KU secondary also dropped two sure-fire INTs, one of which would likely have been run back for a touchdown. (So what I’m saying is, we shoulda hung half-a-hundred on them.)

Kansas was a solid 8-15 (53.3%) on third down, while BC converted 10-19 (52.6%). KU did not attempt a fourth-down conversion; BC was 0-3.

The Good

If you’ll allow me to go all Tim McCarver on you, as bad as the offense was last week, that’s how good it was this week. RPOs, misdirection, it was beautiful. Kudos to the coaches for finally listening to their offensive analyst.

The Bad

There’s really not a lot to choose from here. Maybe Carter Stanley’s second pass attempt of the night? But the kid really turned it around the rest of the way, and the team rallied behind him. I guess you could complain about the defense’s dropped INTs if you really wanted to.

The Ugly

The lines for the restrooms, I guess? Or maybe our attitudes going into the game? BC scored on three of its first four possessions, but the defense really stiffened as the offense got going. There’s really not too much to complain about from a football standpoint for KU fans here.

The Stats

Carter Stanley is the man. That is all.

OK, fine, that’s not all. Stanley rebounded from an ugly INT on KU’s second play of the game to finish with a line of 20-27 for 238 yards, 3 TDs, and that INT. Oh, and he also did this and this as well as putting the hit stick on the guy who picked him off.

Stanley added 23 rushing yards on 5 attempts, and did not take a sack all evening.

Khalil Herbert had 187 rushing yards on just 11 carries with a TD. That’s an average of 17.0 ypc. However, even if you take out the 82-yard run, Herbert still averaged 10.5 ypc. Insane.

Pooka Williams led the Jayhawks in attempts, and picking up 121 yards on 22 rushes with a TD. BC contained him pretty well, with his longest run just 16 yards. The Jayhawks are still struggling to get Pooka involved in the passing game, as he had just 2 yards on 2 receptions.

Fullback Hudson Hall had one carry, for one yard, and one touchdown.

Andrew Parchment led all receivers in yards and catches, pulling in 8 receptions for 100 yards and 2 TDs.

Kwamie Lassister was heavily involved as well, getting 5 catches for 67 yards.

Stephon Robinson had just two catches for 31 yards, one of those for a huge third down conversion.

Daylon Charlot caught just one ball for 10 yards.

Dru Prox had 10 tackles and forced a fumble.

Bryce Torneden added 9 tackles.

Mike Lee had 7 tackles and assisted on KU’s lone sack of the game with Azur Kamara.

Liam Jones nailed two field goals (24,30) and didn’t miss a kick.

Kyle Thompson hit three punts for a 46.3 average.