The Kansas Jayhawks had a mixed bag first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats. In what started with a 93-yard bang to former Alabama Crimson Tide Wideout Emmanuel Henderson Jr,, ended with the Jayhawks heading into the half down 13-20, with the Kansas offense struggling to gain momentum.
“He said I wanna see better consistency on both sides of the ball defensively, completing those tackles,” Reported Lauren Jbara for TNT. In the first half, the Jayhawks gave up 323 yards on the ground and through the air, with 19:10 of possession in the first half for the Bearcats.
“Offensively, making the runs that you need to, getting their run game going. And he said for Jalon. He needs to settle down a little bit. We get into rhythm, and then it gets broken up. He said he has the talent, he has the heart, we trust him as our leader, and I said Lance, biggest key now? He said, ‘We're just going to see what type of team we have in the second half.’”
KU dealt 249 yards in the first half, with 194 yards from quarterback Jalon Daniels, who finished the first half with one passing touchdown. Yet on the ground, the Jayhawks have stumbled as just 55 rushing yards stalled Kansas’ momentum.
Leipold is correct. What is the mettle of this team? As of writing, both teams have opened the first half with touchdowns, and the score sits at 27-27 with neither defense being able to form a stop. Leipold found tight end Boden Groen for a 24-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20, before Bearcat QB Brendan Sorsby led a five-play 82-yard drive which ended in a Sorsby passing touchdown to give Cincinnati a 27-20 lead. Kansas immediately recovered with a 75-yard pass to Henderson, for his second receiving touchdown of the game.