Ohio Knocks off Kansas, 37-21
By Kyle Abbott
In a highly anticipated game for KU football fans and with a chance to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2011, the Jayhawks laid an egg against Ohio. The Bobcats dominated from start to finish, winning by a final of 37-21.
The Jayhawks could not have gotten off to a worse start, letting Ohio drive down the field for a touchdown in their first series of the game. The Jayhawk offense wasn’t any better in their opening drive. The Bobcats pinned KU at their own one yard line after a terrific punt, and stopped KU for a safety, making it 8-0 early in the first quarter. Frank Solich’s Bobcats scored on their next two drives, going up 22-0 midway through the second. KU barely touched the football in the first half, only maintaining possession for seven minutes of the first 30. All told, Ohio outgained KU in the first half 359-21. The only bright spot of the half was LaQuvionte Gonzalez’s 99 yard kickoff return for the Jayhawks’ only points of the half. At halftime, Ohio led 28-7.
The third quarter was much more kind to the Jayhawks. Quarterback Montell Cozart finally gained some rhythm, throwing two touchdowns to Steven Sims, Jr. With ten minutes to go in the third quarter, the Jayhawks cut the deficit to 31-21. The defense also stiffened, giving up only 13 rushing yards in the quarter. The Jayhawks couldn’t put together any drives after the Sims touchdown, going scoreless the last 25 minutes of the game. The defense eventually wore out as well, giving up key third down conversions on the ground late in the game.
Special teams mistakes cost the Jayhawks dearly. LaQuvionte Gonzalez muffed two punt returns, each resulting in Ohio first downs inside the KU 30 yard line. On the other side of the football, the Jayhawks had a punt blocked that resulted in another Ohio field goal. Coming off a less-than-stellar effort on special teams last week against Rhode Island, it may be the area that needs the most improvement for the Jayhawks going into next week.
On the bright side, the Jayhawk passing attack was as good as it has been against a Bowl Subdivision opponent in the David Beaty era. Montell Cozart finished the day with 17 completions on 24 attempts, for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Willis saw spot action, going only 1/5 for eight yards and a late interception when the game was essentially over. Sims and Gonzalez were most effective for KU. Sims caught four Cozart passes for 114 yards and two scores, while Gonzalez added five receptions for 45 yards. The Jayhawk offensive line struggled to open running lanes, as Jayhawk running backs carried eight times for only 18 yards.
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Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen’s defense did not live up to expectations. They gave up 496 yards, including 359 in the first half alone. Ohio’s rushing attack was especially potent. The Bobcats rushed 57 times for 329 yards, for 5.8 yards per attempt. On the most important defensive down, third down, the Jayhawks allowed Ohio to convert 9-22 opportunities, many of which were in key moments in the game.
Today’s game showed the youth and inexperience of every part of the KU football program. There were too many mistakes to count. On the bright side, KU showed heart and life after getting down big early, where in previous years they have folded. The passing game is developing well, and the defense made very good in-game adjustments. Beaty, Bowen, and special teams coach Joe DeForest now have two games of tape to study and improve upon. They have another big road test next week at Memphis. Hopefully the Jayhawks are up for the challenge.