The Kansas football team is 2-3 on the season, and 0-2 in conference play, but in reality, Kansas has mostly played well enough to win in each of those three losses. Bust mostly isn't good enough, and it is within that word that has caused Kansas to lose those games.
Against Missouri, it was turnovers on back-to-back possessions, deep in their territory, that allowed the Tigers two quick touchdowns. In the seven-point loss to Arizona State in London, a shanked 17-yard punt from the end zone toward the end of the first half, led directly to a late touchdown. Then KU allowed the Sun Devils to return the second half opening kickoff for a touchdown. Later in the game, KU fumbled, and the ball was picked out of the air by a defensive lineman, who rumbled 77 yards to the two yard-line. That led to a quick touchdown. Three miscues, three touchdowns for Arizona State.
Kansas continues to stack up costly miscues in their losses
Against Utah, it wasn't anything as obvious as turnovers, kickoff returns, or shanked punts. It was nine penalties for 90 yards. It was back-to-back penalties when Ku was going for it on fourth-and-one, then on fourth-and-six. It was penalties in the red zone. It was pass interference calls on defensive backs that extended Utah plays. Just too many sloppy, undisciplined penalties.
There was also one horrific play call. With Kansas down 34-24 in the fourth quarter, and it was fourth-and-goal on the one-yard line for the Jayhawks. The staunch Utah defense is good; there is no doubt. All night long their defensive ends held their containment on the outside, preventing any KU success running to the outside. The Utes' defensive backs also supported the strong play by the ends, stringing out attempts by the Jayhawks to run the ball to the outside. All-night-long.
For some unknown reason, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki decided to run quarterback to the outside from the one, and it was easily snuffed out. Turnover on downs. Three plays later, Utah running back Wayshawn Parker broke free for a 90-yard touchdown run.
The KU defense had done a good job of stymying the Utah running game for most of the contest, up to that point. That failed fourth-down attempt at the goal line, however, obviously deflated the whole Kansas team, and there was a mental breakdown on that long run by Utah.
There is no way of knowing if KU would have won if they'd scored a touchdown instead of turning the ball over on downs. They would have still been down by three, but momentum can be a funny thing, and KU would have had it. There is also no guarantee KU would have scored on a different play call. There is no way to know, but that failed play certainly took the wind out of the Jayhawks.
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Kansas did have one more attempt to score. After that long Utah touchdown run, KU moved the ball downfield after passing plays that picked up 46 quick yards. Kansas got the ball into the red zone, but the drive ended on downs when Marshall overthrew a wide-open Nik McMillan in the end zone. The ball was too high, but the receiver did get both hands on it. It's probably likely that if you asked McMillan, he would say he should have caught it, but that does lead to another continuing trend.
At times, Isaiah Marshall looks terrific against Utah. When he is in rhythm, he looks like a star. Unfortunately, early in games before he finds that rhythm, or when he is under pressure and is forced out of his comfort zone, he tends to miss high on his throws. He threw several passes against an excellent Utah defense that were absolutely superb, but he also let several others get away from him.
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It's getting clearer that Marshall is the right guy; he just needs to get his accuracy under control more consistently. Multiple missed throws add up as miscues too.
Kansas needs to be more disciplined, less sloppy, more accurate in the passing game, turn the ball over less, commit fewer penalties, and do a better job calling plays in important situations. If they start improving in these areas, KU is going to win some more games. Maybe even as early as this weekend against Kansas State.
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