The Kansas Jayhawks' offense this season has seen its share of highs and lows. At points, offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has been able to schematically break down openings for the wily Jalon Daniels to break down. On the flipside, the numbers tell stories of inconsistencies. Perhaps the biggest weak point of this team has been the problem on third downs. As it stands, Kansas ranks 105th in the nation with just a 34.78% conversion rate. The Jayhawks’ 146 rushing yards per game have also watered down Zebrowski’s offense.
When speaking with the media earlier today, head coach Lance Leipold spoke about the rushing struggles, particularly with the health of both Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Leshon Williams
“Not as good as we'd like right now, no. Not as good as we like coming out of that one, so we'll see where it takes us.”
Both Hishaw and Williams have endured stop-and-start campaigns. Each of the two backs has yet to reach 100 carries. Hishaw leads the way with 430 yards with an average of 4.6 per carry and four touchdowns.
Williams, the Iowa transfer, has been able to reach the paydirt six times this season, and his average of 5.3 per carry combined with 414 total yards does spell that there is room for improvement; it is just a matter of having the two of them healthy consistently.
Just once this season in FBS competition, has Kansas been able to hand each Williams and Hishaw 10+ rushes, that was in the Jayhawks’ 38-21 win over the now 1-9 Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Jalon Daniels’ stock keeps rising despite the Jayhawks’ record
Now, of course, having a solid rushing attack is the foundation every team needs in order to be successful, and when your top rushers spend time on the sideline, opposing defenses are able to pin their ears back on a transfer-heavy wideout corps that has the occasional dropped pass or overthrow, which continually sets up those long third downs.
With their third and final bye week under wraps, the Kansas Jayhawks are now set to travel to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones, who are led by Matt Campbell and sit with a 6-4 record, including 3-2 at home. This season under Leipold, the Jayhawks hold a 1-3 record away from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Kickoff is set for an 11 a.m. CT with streaming available on Fox Sports One.
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog