The Kansas Jayhawks have struggled to muster offensive momentum against power-conference opposition.
In their last two games against Missouri and Arizona State, Kansas lost both and gave up crucial giveaways.
Against the Missouri Tigers, the Jayhawks lost the turnover battle, with two interceptions and one fumble, each coming while the game was still within one score.
That Border Showdown resulted in a 38-21 loss.
While three giveaways are never going to be an acceptable result, win or lose, it was only the second game of the season, and there was still ample time to get things ironed out.
Fast forward just one week later, and with KU taking part in the first-ever FBS college football game inside Wembley against Arizona State, the turnovers kept piling on in Kansas’ 24-17 loss in the Union Jack Classic.
The Kansas offense needs a reset
The first came in under three minutes into the second quarter, when running back Yasin Willis was hit with a textbook tackle by Adrian “Boogie” Wilson while the rock was at the ASU 31 and the score was separated by just three points thanks to an earlier Sun Devils field goal.
The second, a Dylan Edwards fumble at the Arizona State 21-yard line that was recovered by Lawrence, Kan, native Hyrum Vaeono, who rumbled 77 yards to take the ball to the Kansas two-yard line.
With the score extended to 24-7 and 9:34 to play in the fourth quarter, redshirt sophomore quarterback Isaiah Marshall was pinned to a fourth down at the ASU 23-yard line. Marshall eyed down the middle of the field, allowing Owen Long to capitalize on the pass, creating the third and final turnover of the game.
Across 120 minutes of power-conference football, Kansas has turned the ball over six times, a dire record that is spread evenly across three interceptions and three fumbles.
Of the six turnovers, four of them have come on the opposition half of the field, including all three of Saturday’s giveaways.
Overall, Kansas’ turnover margin sits at -5 on the season so far.
Where does KU go from here?
When quickly breaking down Marshall’s three interceptions this year, more often than not you are seeing a quarterback who is still going through waves of confidence. For example, after his fourth-quarter interception against Arizona State, Marshall then totaled 75 yards in the final period alone, with every pass being accurately zipped, showing the talent Kansas fans knew was always there.
The fumbles on the other hand, are a continuation of poor ball security. Yes, both against the Sun Devils were stellar hits, but that excuse grows tiresome for a duo of Edwards and Willis who are supposed to be the consistent factors of this offense.
While there is still plenty of a season to work through for the Jayhawks and this offense shouldn’t be written off after just two bad games, things don’t get much easier after their upcoming bye week, which then sees nine straight games to close out the season.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google