Kansas football: 6 takeaways from the Jayhawks victory vs. Missouri State

Kansas football: 6 quick takeaways from the Jayhawks victory vs. Missouri State

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 01: Running back Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks is lifted into the air by offensive lineman Dominick Puni #67 after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Missouri State Bears at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

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Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Michael Ford Jr. (54) pauses before the snap against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Some players still show lapses in maturity

I know, I know, it happens. These kids are in college and often let their temper get the best of them. But regardless of the scenario, players must stay poised on the field at all times and not cost the team precious yards and field position.

An example of this is when Jason Bean got to the two-yard line with a scramble up the middle on third down, setting up a fourth and short. Coach Leipold was going to keep the offense on the field, but Michael Ford was unhappy with a Missouri State defensive player who jumped on Bean too late for his liking. This, of course, led to a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct, forcing KU to settle for three.

Protecting your quarterback is a natural instinct, but if you throw away a potential touchdown against a team like Illinois in a much more competitive outing, it’s possible that one little blunder could cost the Jayhawks the game.

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