Kansas football: Jayhawks offense showing signs of life thanks to rising stars

Despite another loss this past Saturday to the Duke Blue Devils, the Kansas football team is showing signs of a positive future.

The offense took a major step forward from week three to week four as they scored their highest point total (33) and racked up the most yards (530) of any game this season.

The Jayhawks also gained 21 first downs, 207 rushing yards, and had 323 yards through the air – all season highs.

It was the first time since 2009 that KU had players go for 300 yards passing, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards receiving in a single game.

The offensive line deserves a lot of credit as they played their best game of the season. Their blocking up front is what paved the way for running back Devin Neal to hit big holes as he did on this 36-yard touchdown run and gave quarterback Jason Bean time to make throws downfield – especially to wide receiver Trevor Wilson, who finished the game with five catches for 122 yards.

Wilson’s longest play of the game was an incredible 45-yard catch from Bean that ended up being the No. 2 play on SportsCenter Saturday night.

Neal had his biggest game of the season as well, as he finished with 107 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown – good for an average of 6.3 yards per carry.

On the season, the Jayhawks have ten 30-plus-yard plays between the run and the pass. They had nine 30-yard-plus plays in all of 2020.

The combination of Bean, Neal, and Wilson should excite Kansas fans. They haven’t had legitimate playmakers at all three skill positions on the same team in years.

What’s even more encouraging is that – barring an unforeseen transfer – all three players will be back next season. With more offseason preparation under this staff, more experience, and more time to develop their bodies and skills, next season could be a breakthrough year for this KU offense.

The way these players perform against more Big 12 competition will be a better indicator of what’s to come. But for now, these three offensive playmakers are trending in the right direction and making this offense a force to be reckoned with.