At one point midway through the 4th quarter, with about 7:30 left to go, Kansas was down 16 points (2 possessions) and had just picked off Brock Purdy. The Jayhawks were 70 yards away from making this a one-score game late. The offense promptly went three-and-out, losing 13 yards in the process, and Iowa State went on to cover the 28-point(!!!) spread.
Another day in the life of Kansas football.
Out of 14 possessions, Kansas went 3-and-out six times. The offense didn’t get going until well into the second quarter, when things finally opened up and KU began throwing the ball down the field. (Crazy, I know.)
After two disastrous Iowa State possessions to open the game, the defense stiffened up and kept the Jayhawks in it for most of the day, fading late in the fourth quarter. However, for the game, Iowa State still averaged 7.8 yards per play, mostly due to scoring on big plays of 30, 36, and 58 yards. Meanwhile, Kansas averaged just 3.6 yards per play.
The Jayhawks were a decent 7-17 (41.2%) on 3rd down, but ISU was a bit better at 7-13 (53.8%).
KU turned the ball over twice, a fumble and an INT, while ISU turned it over just once; that said, the Jayhawks also forced a turnover on downs early in the second quarter.
The Good
We finally saw a little bit more of what Jalon Daniels can do if given some time and space, as he had some impressive throws and runs at various times throughout the game. I’m starting to become a believer in Daniels - although I suppose I don’t really have much of a choice, as it seems apparent that MacVittie’s shoulder injury suffered in the opener against Coastal Carolina must have been pretty severe.
The Bad
Wow, this offense is something, isn’t it? I don’t even know what to say anymore. I definitely did not expect this coming into the season. Kansas is averaging just 3.9 yards per play on the season, a bottom-10 statistic in FBS. Maybe Dearmon needs to put a WR at QB - after all, it worked before.
The Ugly
Kansas was missing two starters on the offensive line (on the “Did Not Dress” list issued to the media prior to the game). It most likely has something to do with Covid protocol or contact tracing, but regardless of the reason, it definitely showed. The KU O-line has not been good all year, and it was bad again on Saturday, as ISU racked up 11 TFLs, including 5 sacks.
To put it anther way: Jalon Daniels and Miles Kendrick are 1-2 in the Big 12 in sacks taken on the season.
The Stats
Jalon Daniels started and went 16-29 for 165 yards with an INT. Daniels added 36 rushing yards, as well as a rushing TD, on 16 carries. Daniels left the game late in the 4th qiuarter with an apparent leg injury.
Miles Kendrick threw three passes in garbage time.
Velton Gardner was bottled up all day, picking up 28 yards on just 9 carries.
Daniel Hishaw had 6 rush attempts, including a couple in the “Wildcat” formation, one of which went for a touchdown. However, all-told he totaled just 2 rushing yards.
Kwamie Lassiter continues to pace the Jayhawks in yards and receptions, picking up 66 yards on 5 receptions.
Luke Grimm made his presence felt with 4 receptions for 53 yards, including a clutch 36-yarder on 4th-and-15 just before halftime.
Andrew Parchment had 27 yards on 3 catches.
Nick Channel led KU in tackles with 8.
Ricky Thomas had 7 tackles, while Karon Prunty added 6 tackles.
DaJon Terry had KU’s only sack.
Kenny Logan picked off Brock Purdy, and had a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Jacob Borcila missed his only field goal attempt, a 33-yarder from the right hash into a 20 mph wind.
Reis Vernon booted 6 punts on the day for a 43.0 average.