The Kansas Jayhawks are still licking their wounds from what was a forgettable 38-21 Border Showdown loss that flexed the gulf of quality between the Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers.
While there is plenty of blame to go around for most of the team, KU quarterback Isaiah Marshall will take the brunt of it, as all quarterbacks do when things go wrong.
Marshall had a day to forget against Mizzou
In week one against FCS side LIU, Marshall did everything you could have asked for and more. The redshirt sophomore notched 246 passing yards on a 73.7% completion rate, to go along with 2 passing scores and 49 yards on the ground. Backing up head coach Lance Leipold’s decision to name Marshall the starter over redshirt junior Cole Ballard.
While Marshall’s week one performance came with the obvious caveat that it was against a well-inferior opposition, there were still glimpses that proved Marshall’s ability, including two 40+ yard throws to Nahzae Cox and Nik McMillan.
However, everything good in week one quickly turned sour against the Tigers.
To put it simply, Marshall missed the mark too many times.
Despite having several open options on routes in the middle of the field, Marshall would throw the ball away from the intended wideout. This came in many different forms, but more often than not, in passes thrown short of the wide receiver. Via replay, you could also tell that Marshall was looking for the killer pass rather than a safe completion.
Sure, the pass blocking was subpar. Nobody was perfect last night.
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) September 12, 2026
But, Marshall had the ability to set his feet without people near him on all three of these throws. All three were incomplete. https://t.co/O4Pwik4GXx pic.twitter.com/BFPGNqDqmN
Overall, Marshall completed just 43.3% of his passes for 168 yards to go along with 2 passing touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Marshall was stuffed on the ground as well, garnering just 23 yards.
“Inconsistent,” opened Leipold when speaking with the media regarding Marshall’s performance.
“I think he took a hit early in the game on his arm. I think it affected him. I think he was really excited for this game. I think he was; I don’t wanna say too hyped up or whatever. I just felt he wasn't himself, and some of the throws. He was uncharacteristically off in some of his throws behind guys, a little bit all over the place.”
On the day, the Jayhawks finished with just 255 total yards to go along with a 20% third-down rate.
“Once we settled him down, I thought to throw it to Nik for the touchdown was a big-time throw.”
With the Jayhawks tied at seven and the clock at 1:49 to go in the first half, on a first down just outside the red zone, Marshall beautifully evaded a sack, stepped into the pocket to avoid pressure, and then zipped a pass to McMillan to take the lead.
“But at the same time, he competed extremely hard for us. He tried to extend drives and do things.”
“…But there's a young man just trying to make some things happen. I know he'll learn a lot from this game. and he'll be a lot better from it.”
It doesn’t help to see on the other side of the sideline sat Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who threw for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns on a 65.5% completion rate.
While Friday won’t go into the annals of KU football history, this upcoming week will be a massive test of Marshall’s ability to mentally recover as the Jayhawks take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Union Jack Classic overseas at the historic Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 19. Kickoff is set for 11 am CT, with streaming available on Fox Sports 1.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google