This season, the term “third downs” is sharp-cutting to put it mildly. On a number of occasions, the Kansas Jayhawks have had games come down to these rates allowed on both sides of the ball. As of writing, Kansas sees itself ranked 69th in the nation in third-down conversion percentage allowed with a 40.15% clip, along with an even worse 34.78% conversion rate on the offensive side of the ball.
Those defensive conversion numbers burn a little more when you consider that Kansas faces an average of 14.7 third downs per game, which ranks 110th-worst in the nation.
Following Kansas’ most recent 38-14 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, transfer linebacker, Trey Lathan, spoke with the media over the 9-16 mark Kansas allowed Iowa State to hold.
“They hurt especially, when they would convert, when we thinking that we got them, they hurt a lot, you know, some situations that we got to win, some situations that we practiced, you know, things that we go over, and that when we go out there and we miss them, you know, those things, they hurt.”
Matt Campbell’s team added salt to the wounds with an electric 4-5 fourth-down conversion mark. On the season, the Jayhawks allow the nation’s 117th-worst fourth-down conversion rate, which sits at 66.67%.
Jalon Daniels shares inspirational message after loss to Iowa State
Now, in a 24-point loss, thinking about fine margins feels a little out of place. At the end of the day, there was no single third-down play that changed the game. Barring a 14-7 spurt from Kansas towards the top of the third quarter, Iowa State was able to control the tempo however they wanted. Yet, when you look at three narrow losses KU incurred (42-31 Missouri, 37-34 Cincinnati, 24-20 Arizona), Kansas gave up 22 third downs on a possible 48, measuring out to a 45.3% mark. The Jayhawks also gave up 7-8 fourth-down conversions over the course of those games.
Lathan had a season-high 13 tackles on Saturday, which pushed his total up to 82 on the season. In his first season with the Jayhawks, the former West Virginia Mountaineer has added 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
In late September, Lathan was picking up steam as one of the nation’s best transfers, and despite Kansas’ hot and cold defense, the redshirt junior has impressed in year one.
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog
More Kansas Football News