Kansas football rolls Redhawks in season opener

The Kansas football team opened the 2017 season with a victory. David Beaty’s Jayhawks looked good from the opening kickoff but have room to improve.

Kansas football started the new season with a nice touchback on the opening kickoff by freshman kicker Liam Jones. That is exactly what we need to see. I understand why coach Beaty gave Jones a scholarship. After a nice defensive stop by Daniel Wise, the Jayhawk offense took over and in a big way.

Much to the surprise of no one, Peyton Bender opened the game at quarterback and promptly hit Steven Sims, Jr. for a 77-yard touchdown. I know it is just Southeast Missouri State but the Doug Meacham’s Air-Raid offense looked mighty impressive on the team’s first possession and at other times.

After a pair of early touchdowns, the Jayhawk offense did nothing until a late first half score to go up 21-7 at the break. As a matter of fact, the Peyton Bender passing numbers looked outstanding in the first half. On the other hand, the Jayhawk running game did not. The offensive line provided plenty of time for Bender to throw. The running backs couldn’t get it going. It won’t matter against Southeast Missouri but it will when Big 12 play begins.

The Jayhawk defensive front opened the season strong. I really liked how Clint Bowen moved Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Dorance Armstrong around. The Redhawks never knew where he might line up and it helped. Armstrong, Wise and Joe Dineen looked very strong.

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The Jayhawks won 38-16 and they should beat Southeast Missouri State big. Despite the victory, the team has plenty of flaws. There were too many penalties on the offensive line and turnovers. However, Kansas football fans should be pleased with what we saw in week one.

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