The clock read 50 seconds to play, and Kansas is pinned against its own 22-yard line with a narrow seven-point lead.
All season, the narratives have rightfully been on the team’s lack of defensive prowess when the game is at its most tense.
Against Missouri in the Border Showdown with 8:45 to play, Kansas gave up a 10-play 75-yard drive, which ate up 4:31 of the clock to prove the game-sealing touchdown to go up 35-31.
Weeks later, against the Cincinnati Bearcats, with 1:45 to play, another 10-play and 75-yard drive allowed for running back Tawee Walker to churn into the endzone with 29 seconds to play, sealing another Kansas defeat, this one a 37-34 home loss to Cincinnati.
So when the situation came up for the third time this season, at a pivotal, potentially tying moment for the offense, no one would have been surprised to have seen UCF even the score at 27 and extinguish the thrilling comeback that Kansas had mounted in the second half.
Yet, this time, the Jayhawks' defense prevailed.
Four incomplete passes in a row from Cam Fancher proved just enough to push Kansas over the edge with a 27-20 Jayhawk win, leaving a sigh of collective relief that was heard all the way from Lawrence, Kansas.
“Just happy for the guys. I'm so excited for them. As a coach, you just love for guys to have success. And when they have that, that's just one of the greatest feelings of a coach. I was happy for the guys, just what they accomplished there and helped us win the game, that was the big thing,” quoted defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald.
In the first half, the Golden Knights toppled 20 points on Kansas, and looked to do the same in on the other side, but stout defensive playmaking, and much-improved tackling shut the door repeatedly on any UCF drive.
During the second half, Scott Frost’s team totaled just three drives that went over three plays, and each of those drives ended in a turnover on downs or a punt.
“To pitch a shutout in the second half, in the Big 12. That's tough to do, and our guys went out and did it, so just really happy for him and something we got to build on, and we got a bigger challenge this week coming when we go down there to Lubbock.”
McDonald teed up Kansas’ newest venture perfectly. A trip down south to take on the undefeated Texas Tech Red Raiders, who are currently tabbed as the No. 9 team in the nation and are lit by an electric offense that produces 568.8 yards per game, which leads the country.
Quarterback Behren Morton has already compiled 1,410 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions on the season, with three performances that have seen Morton account for over 250 yards.
The Red Raiders are led by a transfer class that was tipped as 247Sports' 2nd-best recruiting class from the 2025 offseason, falling only behind LSU. Leading that class was former North Texas and UNC offensive lineman Howard Sampson. Samspon was the nation's 14th overall portal prospect and third offensive tackle.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM CT on Fox.