Tag: Jayhawks

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) splits the defense for additional yardage during the 1st quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Devin Neal (4 TDs), Kansas set mark with upset of No. 16 Colorado

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Neal scored four touchdowns as Kansas upset No. 16 Colorado 37-21 Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) became the first team in college football history with a losing record to win three straight games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks’ bowl chances seemed all but eliminated after they lost at then-No. 16 Kansas State on Oct. 26 and fell to 2-6. But if they win at Baylor next Saturday, they’ll be bowl-eligible.

Neal had three rushing touchdowns while gaining 207 yards. He also caught four passes for 80 yards and a score. Jalon Daniels was 14-of-21 passing for 189 yards and a TD and rushed for 72 yards on six carries.

Shedeur Sanders was 23-of-29 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns for the Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2), who rushed for only 42 yards. Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Trailing by nine at the half, Colorado scored on its first second-half possession when Sanders found Hunter for a 26-yard touchdown. But Neal’s third TD extended Kansas’ lead to 30-21 midway through the third. Neal then punched it in from the 2-yard line for a 37-21 Jayhawks advantage with less than 12 minutes to play.

Colorado got deep in Kansas territory with 6:22 left but turned it over on downs.

Kansas received the opening kickoff and went 73 yards on six plays to take a 7-0 lead. Daniels hit Neal on a short screen to the left side and Neal went 51 almost untouched for the score.

After forcing a Colorado three-and-out, Kansas drove deep into Buffaloes territory. The drive stalled and the Jayhawks settled for a 24-yard Tabor Allen field goal.

The Jayhawks then stopped Colorado on a fourth-and-2 just past midfield. On the ensuing drive, Kansas went 61 yards in eight plays, capped by Neal’s 9-yard touchdown run.

The Buffaloes finally got on the board as Sanders found Hunter on a wide-receiver screen and Hunter went 51 yards for the score with 7:18 left before intermission.

Neal’s 47-yard run set up the Jayhawks at Colorado’s 8-yard line, but the Jayhawks had to settle for another Allen field goal.

Sanders found Drelon Miller on a 19-yard touchdown and Allen hit a 25-yard field goal inside the final two minutes of the second quarter.

Kansas led 23-14 at the break.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Jereme Robinson (90) tries to block the pass from TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Josh Hoover, big plays push TCU past Kansas

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Josh Hoover threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns as TCU picked up its first Big 12 win of the season 38-27 against Kansas Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, Mo.

The Horned Frogs playmakers were explosive as JP Richardson had an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown, Jack Bech had 10 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns and Eric McAlister had four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Surrounded by red Kansas jerseys, Richardson broke free and cut back for the punt return touchdown that gave the Horned Frogs a lead they would not relinquish with 1:46 left in the third quarter.

Daniel Hishaw Jr. had 85 rushing yards and a touchdown and Devin Neal had 70 rushing yards and a touchdown for Kansas (1-4, 0-2 Big 12). Jalon Daniels was 15-for-34 for 179 passing yards with a passing touchdown and an interception.

The Kansas defense notched the first of three TCU (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) turnovers when Cobee Bryant forced a Cam Cook fumble that was recovered by Dylan Wudke on the game’s first possession.

Four plays later, Daniels connected with Luke Grimm who stood on his tiptoes to stay in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Kansas lead.

TCU needed just five plays to cover 92 yards as Hoover hit Bech for a 35-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

The Jayhawks didn’t complete a pass on their next scoring drive, but Neal’s 1-yard touchdown run gave Kansas a 14-7 lead.

A 3-yard touchdown run by Cook tied the game 14-14 as the teams traded long scoring drives.

After a Tabor Allen field goal, Bech caught his second touchdown from seven yards while sandwiched between two Kansas defenders and TCU took a 21-17 lead into halftime.

On their first drive of the second half, the Jayhawks took a 24-21 lead on an 8-yard touchdown run by Hishaw before Richardson’s electric return made it 28-24.

A 41-yard field goal by Tabor Allen cut the TCU lead to 28-27 at 12:07 in the fourth quarter.

But McCalister hauled in a Hoover pass at the 50-yard line and broke three tackles on his way to a 59-yard touchdown and a 35-27 TCU lead. Kyle Lemmermann drilled a 29-yard field goal for TCU that provided a two-score lead and the final margin.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold reacts after a play during the second half against the UNLV Rebels at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Coming off tough losses, Kansas and West Virginia square off in Morgantown

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Kansas and West Virginia limp into their Big 12 opener after letting late leads get away last weekend.

That adds importance to Saturday’s contest in Morgantown, W.Va., when the Jayhawks (1-2) and Mountaineers (1-2) each seek a rebound victory.

“This will be a very good test for us in a lot of different ways,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said Monday. “And they’re a team that has been close and feels they need to get a win, and so do we, so it should be a lot of excitement in Morgantown.”

Kansas is coming off a 23-20 loss to UNLV, a game that saw the Rebels drive 75 yards on 18 plays over 9:22. UNLV capped the drive by scoring on a fourth-and-goal run from the 1-yard line with 1:51 left.

The Mountaineers can relate. West Virginia moved ahead by 10 points with under five minutes remaining before host Pitt rallied on touchdown drives of 75 and 77 yards to post a 38-34 victory in the Backyard Brawl. The Panthers’ winning score came with 32 seconds remaining.

“When you lose and you lose a rivalry game that you were ahead in the final minutes, there’s going to be negativity,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said Monday. “You have to process it, own your own mistakes and go about playing better. I’m not going to allow them to be miserable or hang their heads. We’re going to get better.”

Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene threw his first two interceptions of the season. He has passed for 607 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensive end T.J. Jackson is off to a strong start with seven tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks.

Brown said those long scoring drives the defense allowed late in the Pitt game will prompt changes.

“We can’t continue to reward guys who aren’t playing well by continuing to play them,” Brown said. “It is a business.”

Kansas star running back Devin Neal (333 yards) has topped 100 yards in all three games while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. His 15 career 100-yard outings tie James Sims (2010-13) for second-most in Jayhawks history behind Tony Sands (17 from 1988-91).

Quarterback Jalon Daniels (498 yards, three touchdowns) has thrown five interceptions over the past two games. He has six overall to go with one lost fumble.

Leipold is remaining supportive of Daniels.

“Jalon has been outstanding with attitude, coachability and all those things,” Leipold said. “There’s some good things out there. There are moments.”

West Virginia holds the all-time series 10-2.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) runs for a touchdown against UNLV Rebels linebacker Mani Powell (16) during the first half at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

UNLV edges Kansas, moves to 3-0 for first time in 40 years

Posted on | by Field Level Media

UNLV’s Kylin James plowed in from 1 yard out on the first play after the two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter, giving the visiting Rebels their first lead of the game in a 23-20 victory over Kansas on Friday night at Kansas City.

UNLV (3-0) won despite quarterback Matthew Sluka posting 86 passing yards, though he ran for 113. The Rebels have won their first three games for the first time since 1984.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels ran for two touchdowns and threw for 153 yards and Devin Neal rushed for 123 yards for the Jayhawks (1-2).

UNLV’s winning drive was a journey, lasting 14 plays and 9 1/2 minutes of game time.

The Rebels converted a 4th-and-1 from the Kansas 2-yard line but were penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play, setting up a 1st-and-10 on the Jayhawks’ 16. Facing a 3rd-and-12, Sluka scrambled for 11 yards before James punched in the winning score on fourth down.

The possession also included Sluka’s fumble that was touched by multiple Kansas players, but ended up back with UNLV.

The Jayhawks couldn’t shake away from the Rebels despite leading most of the game. A 13-play drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters ended with Tabor Allen’s 41-yard field goal that gave Kansas a 20-16 edge with 11:22 remaining.

The Jayhawks scored on their first three possessions for a 17-6 lead, but UNLV struck on the final play before halftime when Sluka connected with Jai’Den Thomas for a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-13.

Daniels ran for an 11-yard score to cap Kansas’ first possession, which covered 81 yards and lasted 12 plays.

In the second quarter, the Jayhawks finished a 94-yard march with Daniels running in from 33 yards out for a 14-3 lead.

UNLV received first-half field goals from 38 and 27 yards from Caden Chittenden. He missed from 51 yards away late in the half after Sluka’s 46-yard run set up a scoring chance.

Chittenden added a 23-yard kick in the third quarter to pull the Rebels within 17-16.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) throws a pass during the first half against the Lindenwood Lions at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

QB Jalon Daniels leads No. 19 Kansas against Illinois

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Last year, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels got to play just three games before he suffered what developed into a season-ending back injury.

Illinois was one of the unfortunate three foes to face him.

Daniels threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter last Sept. 8 – and wound up 21 of 29 for 277 yards – as the Jayhawks rolled to a 34-7 lead that wound up as a 34-23 non-conference win. No. 19 Kansas (1-0) visits Illinois (1-0) for a rematch Saturday night at Champaign, Ill., with a healthy Daniels at the controls.

“People are talking about them being a (BCS) playoff team – and (I) could definitely see that before they even played a snap this year,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema. “I think their football team and program really channels through their quarterback. When he has been able to be in the lineup, they obviously have a record that is pretty special.”

Since head coach Lance Leipold arrived at Kansas prior to the 2022 season, the Jayhawks have produced a 9-4 record when Daniels starts – but only 7-7 when he has been too hurt to play.

To preserve the fifth-year junior’s health, there was speculation Daniels would sit out last week’s opener against Lindenwood. Instead, he threw 15 times, completing nine passes, for 148 yards and a score. He also threw an interception (but did not carry the ball) before taking a seat in the Jayhawks’ 48-3 victory last Thursday.

The danger for Illinois is focusing too heavily on Daniels. In last year’s game, running backs Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. combined for 218 yards and two touchdowns in just 22 rushes.

Both guys are back and Neal (3,189 yards, 35 TDs) remains on pace to break June Henley’s school records for career rushing yards (3,841) and touchdowns (41). Hishaw, who owns 16 career touchdowns, could start at most schools. Leipold suggested earlier this week that Kansas’ rushing game, which features seniors at left tackle (Bryce Cabeldue/39 career starts) and left guard (Michael Ford/32 starts), will be crucial to the Jayhawks’ efforts to sweep the home-and-home series.

“On the road, to give yourself normal down and distance and try to keep the crowd out of it (is huge),” Leipold said. “When you stay in those regular-type situations, you can pretty much dial up anything – run or pass.”

Coincidentally, Illinois opened its 2024 season just like Kansas – with a 45-point win over a Football Championship Subdivision foe on Aug. 29.

Another coincidence that developed during the Illini’s 45-0 victory over Eastern Illinois? They believe they have multiple threats at running back in sophomores Aidan Laughery and Kaden Feagin to take some pressure off junior quarterback Luke Altmyer.

The 245-pound Feagin earned more opportunities last year (95 carries and nine receptions compared to 16 carries and two catches), but Laughery started Thursday’s win over EIU and used his sprinter’s speed to produce 79 yards in 10 carries. Feagin entered later and finished with 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown.

“Aidan brings a skill set that’s kind of unique to that room,” Bielema said. “Kaden is the typical ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get,” but I do think he has an exceptional burst.”

Leipold, whose defense posted six sacks in last year’s game, noticed a difference on the tape.

“They’re a physical Big Ten team,” he said. “They’ve improved over last year, you can see. They’ve made some adjustments in the O-Line.”

–Field Level Media

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) scores a touch down during the NCAA college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. This is the Bearcats last game of the season, as well as their Senior Night Saturday.

Report: Star RB Devin Neal returning to Kansas in 2024

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The Kansas Jayhawks got welcome news before playing UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Tuesday night in Phoenix, as star running back Devin Neal has told the coaching staff he will return to the team in 2024, ESPN reported.

An All-Big 12 second-team selection, the true junior (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) had been deliberating about declaring for the NFL draft.

In 12 games (10 starts) in the regular season, he has rushed for 1,209 yards and 15 touchdowns on 183 carries for an average of 6.6 yards per carry and 100.8 yards per game. He also caught 24 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown.

In 36 games (30 starts) over three seasons, Neal has rushed for 3,006 yards and 32 TDs on 521 carries. He ranks fifth in program history for career rushing yards and third in rushing TDs.

Neal, whose hometown is Lawrence, Kansas, would have a shot at becoming the Jayhawks’ all-time leader, surpassing June Henley’s 3,841 yards and 41 touchdowns.

The Jayhawks (8-4) were trying for their first bowl game victory since beating Minnesota 42-21 in the 2008 Insight Bowl. UNLV (9-4) has not won a bowl game since 2000.

–Field Level Media

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a touchdown against Iowa State during the first quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.

Kansas builds big lead, holds on at Iowa State

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Jason Bean was 14 of 23 for 287 yards as No. 21 Kansas hung on to defeat Iowa State 28-21 Saturday night in Ames, Iowa. Bean found Lawrence Arnold for an 80-yard score midway through the fourth quarter to ice the victory.

The Jayhawks (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) moved into a five-way tie for second place in the Big 12.

Rocco Becht was 20-for-26 with a key interception for Iowa State (5-4, 4-2).

Devin Neal scored a 1-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half to give Kansas a 21-3 lead, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive.

Eli Sanders finally scored the Cyclones’ first touchdown with 3:26 left in the third quarter. He ran around the right corner from 6 yards out. He then ran almost the identical play for a 2-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 21-11.

Iowa State forced Kansas to punt and then went 90 yards in 12 plays. Becht ran it in from the KU 2-yard line with 8:09 remaining.

But on the first play of the ensuing drive, Bean found Arnold behind the ISU secondary for an 80-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-18.

Chase Contreraz trimmed it to 28-21 with a 29-yard field goal with 4:53 left, but Kansas did not give up the ball again.

After forcing a three-and-out on Iowa State’s first possession, Kansas marched 87 yards on nine plays to take a 7-0 lead. Bean found Arnold for a first down on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Neal punched it in from the 6-yard line for the score.

In the second quarter, Ra’Mello Dotson picked off Becht at the 50 and raced untouched to the end zone. It was Dotson’s second pick-6 in as many games, and it gave Kansas a 14-0 lead.

Contreraz hit a 35-yard field goal for Iowa State with three seconds left in the half to prevent the Cyclones from going scoreless in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II (0) runs the ball against Kansas Jayhawks s Kenny Logan Jr. (1) in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma State knocks off No. 23 Kansas, 39-32

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Brennan Presley’s 6-yard touchdown run with 2:33 left lifted host Oklahoma State past No. 23 Kansas 39-32 on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.

The Cowboys (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) defeated the Jayhawks for the seventh straight time in Stillwater.

Ollie Gordon became the first OSU player since 1989 to have 100 yards rushing (168) and receiving (116) in the same game.

Kansas (5-2, 2-2) again played without QB Jalon Daniels. Jason Bean started and threw for career highs in yards (410) and touchdowns (five), but he had two second-half turnovers that changed the momentum.

The game was a back-and-forth affair with five lead changes.

Bean found Quentin Skinner for his fifth touchdown pass early in the second half, a 42-yard strike to give KU a 32-24 lead.

A pair of short Alex Hale field goals cut the Kansas lead to 32-30 early in the fourth quarter, but a missed 43-yarder with just under 10 minutes left kept the Cowboys from retaking the lead. But after forcing a turnover on downs, the Cowboys marched 50 yards to take the lead on Presley’s touchdown. Hale connected from 42 yards for the final points.

Oklahoma State took the opening kickoff and went 77 yards in just five plays for a quick 7-0 lead. QB Alan Bowman found Gordon for a 17-yard touchdown pass in the right flat. The big play was a 50-yard screen to Gordon on the first play from scrimmage.

After the Cowboys forced a KU punt, OSU went 83 yards in nine plays. Bowman found Presley for a 20-yard touchdown on another screen and the Cowboys were up 14-0 halfway through the first quarter.

Kansas got on the board on its next drive. Bean found Trevor Wilson open deep for a 47-yard touchdown pass.

Hale’s 28-yard field goal pushed the lead to 17-7 for OSU.

Bean then found tight end Mason Fairchild wide open for a 30-yard touchdown to draw the Jayhawks to within 17-13, as the extra point was blocked. Following an OSU three-and-out, Bean found Fairchild uncovered again on a 44-yard score and a 19-17 Kansas lead.

Gordon’s second touchdown, a 42-yard run, gave the Cowboys a 24-19 lead with just under three minutes left in the half.

But Bean and the Jayhawks responded. Bean hit Skinner for a 49-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed and the Jayhawks led 25-24 at halftime.

Bowman threw for 336 yards and the two TDs.

–Field Level Media

Kansas junior quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) practices passes during Tuesday's outdoor practice.

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (back) expected to start vs. Missouri State

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Kansas standout quarterback Jalon Daniels is expected to start Friday night against Missouri State despite dealing with a back injury during fall camp.

The preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year hasn’t had a lot of practice work leading up to the season opener.

“We just released the two-deep, and that’s kind of where we’re at right now and where we’re going,” Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold said Monday. “He hasn’t practiced a lot, but he went through everything today, and yeah, we’re planning on playing everyone who is available.”

Jason Bean is listed as the backup quarterback on the depth chart.

Daniels passed for 2,014 yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions last season. He also rushed for 425 yards and seven scores.

Leipold said he isn’t concerned about playing Daniels against an FCS program like Missouri State.

“That’s the balancing act we have to do here,” Leipold said. “We’re getting him as much work as we can, as many different ways as we can. He’s been getting work; he’s been doing things. To make it sound like he’s never practiced the last two weeks is not accurate, either. We’re confident.

“Unfortunately for him, it’s something he’s gone through before, getting little reps and where he is at, but I think we’re in a good spot with him.”

–Field Level Media

Kansas' head football coach Lance Leipold looks up during the Big 12 football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Reports: Kansas extends coach Lance Leipold thru 2029

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Amid the resurgence of its football program that saw the team ranked in the Top 25 for a spell earlier this year, Kansas signed coach Lance Leipold to a new contract with an extension through the 2029 season, multiple reports said Tuesday night.

Kansas (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) is bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. The Jayhawks spent two weeks in October ranked in the AP poll, which they hadn’t achieved since 2009.

Leipold, previously the coach at Buffalo, took over the Jayhawks in March 2021 after the school fired Les Miles amid allegations that he behaved inappropriately with female students.

After a 2-10 finish in 2021 highlighted by a 57-56 upset over Texas, Kansas opened this season 5-0 with conference wins over West Virginia and Iowa State. The Jayhawks went on to add a 37-16 beatdown of then-No. 18 Oklahoma State.

It’s already Leipold’s second extension in 19 months on the job. In September, Kansas announced a one-year extension that brought his contract at the time through the 2027 season.

Despite that, Leipold’s name was linked to vacancies at Nebraska and Arizona State earlier this season.

Under Turner Gill, Charlie Weis, interim coach Clint Bowen, David Beaty and Miles from 2010-20, Kansas football had gone a combined 21-108 with winless seasons in 2015 and 2020.

–Field Level Media