Nik McMillan looked as good as advertised for Kansas football against LIU

The Kansas football team needed a dependable go-to receiver this season to boost the passing game. Head coach Lance Leipold brought in Nik McMillan through the transfer portal from Buffalo.

McMillan had a terrific season last year with Buffalo, pulling down 62 catches for 981 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers were enough to get him added to the preseason watchlist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award for the best college receiver. His performance against Long Island proved that he deserved to be on that watchlist.

The Jayhawks easily handled the Sharks, and McMillan had a key role in that domination, especially in the first half. KU led 30-0 at the half and won 51-6.

Nik McMillan led the Kansas football receiving corps against LIU

McMillan had a fantastic night in his first game wearing the crimson and blue. He hauled in six balls for 130 yards to lead the team in both categories and added a touchdown. He averaged an outstanding 21.7 yards per catch.

McMillan provided the spark that got the KU offense going. The Jayhawks led 9-0 just past the midway point in the second quarter when the wide receiver got a step on defenders deep downfield. Quarterback Isaiah Marshall made a perfect throw, and McMillan caught it for a 46-yard gain that took the Jayhawks down to the five-yard line. Two plays later and KU scored to go up 16-0, and the rest is history.

He made another nice grab, this time in the end zone, on a 19-yard play that ended the first half scoring.

McMillan wasn't the only Jayhawk who had a nice night in the passing game. Dylan Edwards caught four passes out of the backfield for 34 yards. Tate Nagy had three catches for 40 yards, including a crazy deflection in the end zone for a score. Bryson Hayes had two catches for 56 yards, and Nahzea Cox had a reception for 47 yards, which was similar to McMillan's long grab.

On the evening, the Jayhawks caught 18 balls from two different quarterbacks for 336 yards and two touchdowns. The 18.7 yards per catch was outstanding.

Now, Kansas has to translate that success against a weak opponent into similar results against a much stronger team on Friday. The Missouri Tigers' defense will probably focus more on stopping McMillan. It will be interesting to watch if the KU wideout can create space like he did against LIU. If not, it might open up more opportunities for Nagy, Hayes, Cox, and Cam Pickett (if healthy). Marshall might be forced to check down more to Edwards and the other running backs, as well as tight end Carson Bruhn.

McMillan and the receiving corps had an impressive and positive performance against LUI. Now, they need to duplicate that success against a stout Missouri defense. Things won't be near as easy against the Tigers.

Still, it was nice to see the KU passing game execute so well in a game where it was imperative that it do so. Now, KU needs to do it again against Mizzou.

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