Kansas has not lulled in its first conference game of the season. As a matter of fact, they have boat-raced the West Virginia Mountaineers. In just the first half against Rich Rodriguez’s team, the Jayhawks had a Saturday 20-3 lead.
That came thanks to two passing touchdowns from quarterback Jalon Daniels, who compiled 111 yards on 8/18 passing and two Laith Marjan field goals on either side of Daniels’ throws. Were things perfect? No, both teams were lagging after the Jayhawks sprinted to an early 7-0 lead.
Yet once Marjan found between the posts after a 42-yard field goal to give Kansas a 10-0 lead, the floodgates began to open.
A 10-3 run ensued and saw Kansas march into the half with a big 20-3 lead.
The Jayhawks opened the second half with the ball, and let's just say Emmanuel Henderson Jr. impressed with the opening kick return.
94-YARD KICK RETURN🤯
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 21, 2025
What a way to start the second half, @KU_Football.#Big12FB | 📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/g4DHVPfZHV
The Alabama transfer has established himself as a threat for this Kansas team in his short spell. Heading into West Virginia, Henderson already had 183 yards and followed it up with two touchdowns through the air. Henderson’s best game in a Kansas jersey totaled 130 yards and both his touchdowns in a blowout 46-7 win against Wagner in the Jayhawks’ second game of the season. Henderson has now shown that he can do it as a kick returner as well.
Last season for the Crimson Tide, Henderson totaled five kick returns for 107 yards. The former five-star running back was converted to wide receiver after arriving at the SEC school.