Through the Phog
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Kansas football: 5 things the Jayhawks must improve upon during their bye week

By Joshua Schulman

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 14: Jason Bean #9 of the Kansas Jayhawks launches an incomplete pass late in the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 14: Jason Bean #9 of the Kansas Jayhawks launches an incomplete pass late in the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Luke Grimm #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks works with a 13-yard catch against cornerback Dylan Smith #11 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the third quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Luke Grimm #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks works with a 13-yard catch against cornerback Dylan Smith #11 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the third quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

3. Incorporating more short routes for wide receivers

While I love the thrill of watching 50-yard touchdowns being caught, Jason Bean (and even Jalon Daniels if he returns) must become more accustomed to throwing short passes.

Kansas football has a tremendous safety blanket in Luke Grimm. He led the team in receiving yards (623) in 2022 but has just 18 receptions for 244 yards in 2023. Since conference play commenced, he’s caught seven passes. The Jayhawks can no longer rely on explosive touchdowns to get by in games — that became evident against Oklahoma State.

This isn’t to say that Andy Kotelnicki should stop drawing up deep balls every once in a while. Part of what makes this Kansas football team so exciting to watch are those big plays that get the fans on their feet. However, when everyone is 15-to-20 yards down the field on a first down, it can become difficult to move the ball.

There will be games where the run game can’t get it going. To counter the absence of those five to seven-yard gains that Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. typically pick up, KU must look toward their slot receiver, Grimm, or tight end Mason Fairchild in short-yardage situations. A quick out or slant route for a few yards can go a long way for an offense.

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