The Kansas Jayhawks have found some much-needed stability as of late. After a gut-wrenching 37-34 loss to the red-hot Cincinnati Bearcats two weeks ago, that sent Kansas to a 3-2 record with a .500 mark in Big 12 play, there was an added emphasis on the Jayhawks’ trip to Orlando, Florida to take on UCF, who are hoping to still fit into the golden slipper under returning head coach Scott Frost.
After a poor defensive first half, which saw the Jayhawks give up 20 points, extreme resilience from Kansas’ defense kept the Golden Knights at bay for just long enough so Leshon Williams’ third touchdown of the night could give Kansas its eventual fourth win on the season.
While there are a number of plaudits to go around for the Jayhawks’ defensive effort, there is a continued presence from Justice Finkley, who mounted five tackles and one tackle for loss.
“He plays hard, does a lot,” head coach Lance Leipold said. “... [He’s] very workmanlike and trying to build more steady, consistent days with him, you know, again, not being the tallest guy, there's got to be other things that he has to do extremely well, and he's been able to put some good things together. And as always, we're sure glad he's here.”
Finkley hails from Texas, where, as a Longhorn, the former No. 107 player in the nation accumulated just 26 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and two and a half sacks. Finkley then moved to Kansas, where, as a .8600 transfer (via 247Sports), he has found new life.
In his six games with Kansas, Finkley has totaled 18 tackles, two and a half tackles for loss, half of a sack, and one forced fumble, which came in Kansas’ 42-31 Border Showdown loss to Missouri.
Finkley and the Jayhawks showed a stubborn defensive spine that had yet to fully click all season long. Against all Power Four competition, the Jayhawks' lowest season total for yards given up was 323 against a limping West Virginia team who sits at 2-4, which ended in a 41-10 Kansas win.
Against UCF, Kansas was able to tighten up its defense and give up 375 yards. A mark where Kansas fans may have to begin to feel comfortable with.
The Jayhawks’ total defense statistics still prove a glaring problem as Kansas’ defense ranks 79th in the nation with 375.8 yards given up per game.
The next chance to see Kansas take to field is this Saturday against who the Associated Press ranks as the No. 9 team in the nation, the 5-0 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
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