Kansas’ 42-17 loss last Saturday hurt for several reasons. The biggest of which was probably the fact that the Jayhawks were favorites heading into it, proving the blue-tinted glasses that Kansas fans were wearing were warranted. Yet a 25-point loss quickly brings down those hopes.
“We’re thoroughly outplayed. They executed better than us. They were more physical than us, and that’s very disappointing. And as a head coach, it’s your responsibility to have them ready to go,” quoted Kansas head coach Lance Leipold after the game.
Kansas State totaled 371 yards compared to Kansas’ 247; the Wildcats’ 231 is 94 more passing yards than the Jayhawks’ 137. On the ground, things were a lot more even as Kansas totaled 110 yards in comparison to the 140 by Kansas State.
…I don’t fault our effort. I don’t want to. I thought our guys, especially in the last 72 hours, were very excited and focused on playing…getting a turnover early. I thought we had some great momentum and energy, but that dissipated real quick.”
On the day Kansas just failed to pick up the momentum when it mattered most, after a hot start thanks to a Kansas State opening kickoff fumble, and an early touchdown for Kansas, the Jayhawks could not build on that momentum and instead were quick to allow a piercing 7-play 82-yard drive and ensuing Wildcat touchdown. Kansas then didn’t see the endzone until 30 seconds to play in the first half; by that point, Kansas State had rung off 21 consecutive points.
In the third quarter, when the game was still within a 28-17 reach after a Laith Marjan field goal, once again, momentum did not carry over, and Kansas immediately gave up a 78-yard field goal.
While the term “complementary football” feels as if it is rang throughout every locker room in the nation, the phrase has worth to it and there were moments when the Jayhawks held firm defensively and needed offensive momentum and vice versa, with each side of the ball falling massively short at points.
Up next for the Jayhawks is what should feel an easier test as the Jayhawks are set to welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
As it stands, the Cowboys sit with a measly 1-7 record, which includes a 0-5 mark in Big 12 play, and in the midst of it all are dealing with the firing of head coach Mike Gundy. This season, the Cowboys have totaled no more than 27 points, which should bring relief to Kansas fans as their offense ranks 133rd out of 136 teams in the nation.
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