Is Jalon Daniels playing? It appears that Kansas head coach Lance Leipold is tiring of that question. After Daniels’ backup, Jason Bean led Kansas to a win over No. 11 Oklahoma last week, the question about Daniels and his health remained.
The Jayhawks are 6-2 on the year and Daniels has missed much of the season with back tightness. This after Daniels led Kansas to a hot start last year before a season-ending injury.
When Leipold was asked about the status of his quarterback this week he responded rather frankly to reporters.
Leipold said, “We’re not at that point, OK? We’re not at that point yet to decide that.” He later added, “When Jalon Daniels is healthy Jalon is the starting quarterback, OK?”
Well, Daniels has been out for five games this season, so it is not very often that he is the starting quarterback. When he’s played, he’s completed 74.7% of his passes for 705 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception.
Bean is the one who has mostly led Kansas, throwing for 1,131 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 60.6% of his passes.
Last week, Bean went 15 of 32 for 218 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Kansas is 28th in total offense and eighth in yards per play this year, gaining 7.0. A lot of that production has come on the ground. The Jayhawks rank 12th in rushing offense and 66th in passing yards per game.
Running back Devin Neal will be a key player in this game regardless of who is at quarterback.
Jalon Daniels injury status:
Jalon Daniels is doubtful to play in Week 10 against Iowa State after missing four straight games with back tightness.