The Jayhawks made big plays yesterday that seemed almost uncharacteristic of Kansas football. The improvement between last season and this season is apparent, and the best part is that it was only the first game of the season. Les Miles is taking the Jayhawks in the right direction.
Kansas football seems to be turning the corner, for now. The mirage of first game success (or failure) fools fans across the country year after year. Still, it’s hard not to be excited for the future when it comes to Kansas football.
There were multiple areas of improvement for the Jayhawks in their win over Indiana State, but one big factor was confidence. Carter Stanley seemed to be in control of every situation throughout the game; until he fumbled the ball which was recovered in the endzone by Indiana State. Stanley came out and later led the Jayhawks to a late touchdown that saved the game for the Jayhawks.
As a matter of fact, the final drive probably wouldn’t have happened under the old regime.
Most pass plays throughout the game seemed on the conservative side. There were a few long receptions but nothing huge. That conservative play-calling went out the window once the Jayhawks went down one point. Carter Stanley looked calm at all times while Kansas was down 16-17 with less than five minutes to go. The senior led by example and threw the ball with authority and precision down the stretch once things got urgent.
That kind of QB leadership in crunch time is something that Kansas football has been missing for a lot of years.
The whole team seems to be behind Les Miles, which is another thing that has been lacking in Jayhawk football for awhile. Having a proven coach that has won conference championships, a national championship, and rebuilt a program is a huge factor.
Kansas football needs to continue its swagger into next week against Coastal Carolina. The return of Pooka Williams will add yet another weapon to the potentially electric Kansas backfield and should raise the team’s confidence just that much more since they’re getting their biggest play-maker back.