Kansas football: 5 key players for the Jayhawks against Nevada
![Sep 1, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Missouri State Bears running back Jacardia Wright (9) is tackled by Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Sep 1, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Missouri State Bears running back Jacardia Wright (9) is tackled by Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/be8c5570593acde8a166c8839076e1cec301f46051ccfef011fe1a5869e8f8aa.jpg)
Kansas football will need a collective team effort to win tonight’s road game against Nevada. Production from these five players will be the key for the Jayhawks.
The Kansas Jayhawks are looking to begin consecutive seasons with a 3-0 record for the first time since 1991-1992 with a win over the Nevada Wolf Pack. It will be a West Coast showdown as Lance Leipold and Co. travel to Mackay Stadium in Reno.
Through the team’s first two games, Kansas is outscoring its opponents 82-40. That number includes wins over Missouri State and Illinois. Star quarterback Jalon Daniels returned last week, and Devin Neal has been playing like one of the best running backs in the country.
Nevada, on the other hand, has not had a favorable start to the 2023 season. In fact, the Wolf Pack have not won a football game since Week 2 of last year. USC dominated them in their season debut, and they’re coming off a blowout loss to Idaho, an FCS school.
Long story short, things don’t look too promising for the Nevada football program.
But Kansas will need to play well tonight, even if Nevada is the easiest test they’ll receive all season. Conference play begins seven days from now against BYU, and the Jayhawks will need to learn to limit their mistakes. Despite a dominant first half against Illinois, Kansas still managed to turn the ball over twice in the second half and let the Illini back into the game.
You also never want to look past any opponent. Kansas football fans are all too familiar with having their team lose to non-Power 5 programs, especially on the road.
The Kansas football team will need strong performances from these five players to overcome Nevada football tonight.