With 2:39 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, the Kansas Jayhawks were faced with the monumental decision that they have faced what feels like all season long, in the moments that matter most in the games that clinch a bowl appearance: how do you play it?
You see, Kansas held a 20-17 lead and was placed firmly in the Arizona Wildcat red zone. After a well-drawn-out drive that had sapped the momentum out of Arizona’s defense, the Jayhawks were faced with a fourth and two from the Arizona 11-yard line.
The only problem? Redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels had just been taken out of the game by officials for an injury after his seven-yard scramble on the previous play had left him looking dinged up.
As Kansas head coach Lance Leipold would explain to the media, because it wasn’t something as minute as a helmet falling off, Kansas couldn’t burn a timeout to bring Daniels back in the game.
So, with the option of either using a backup quarterback in what could have possibly been a game-sealing first down or kicking a field goal to put Kansas ahead by six with just about two-and-a-half minutes to play, Leipold made the decision for the 30-yard kick.
“If Jalon was in the game, we were going for it…We were going to [have to] put a different quarterback in and talking with Z [Jim Zebrowski], and we made the decision to kick the field goal and make a touchdown beat us, and unfortunately, Laith missed his first,” quotes the former Buffalo head coach
“…But, yeah, you know, if you ask me again, would I make the same decision? I don't know right now. I have to admit that.”
Ultimately, as Leipold pointed out, Marjan’s field goal chip shot wouldn’t have mattered as Kansas gave up a touchdown to seal a 24-20 Jayhawk loss, all but pointing to why just maybe Kansas should have taken a chance with just two yards left to gain.
The road to a bowl game for the Jayhawks has just taken a much steeper climb. Leipold and his team will have to sit with their fifth loss of the season for an extra week, as the Jayhawks will have their final bye week next week before two final conference games take place.
Kansas’ next kickoff will be set in Ames, Iowa, against the Iowa State Cyclones, before one last home game against the No. 17 Utah Utes.
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @ThroughthePhog