For what feels like an eternity, Kansas has been able to call Jalon Daniels its quarterback. Have things been perfect? No, but despite Daniels’ inconsistencies, either by performance or injury, he will be etched into Kansas history.
Beside Daniels, has stood a number of running backs. The most prevalent being current New Orleans Saint Devin Neal. Neal accumulated 4,343 yards and 49 rushing touchdowns to average out 5.5 yards per carry and 88 yards per game. Another cult hero for Kansas fans.
Yet this season, Daniels has to split snaps with running backs Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Leshon Williams. This season, both have been able to tout a number of carries, but neither has broken out to high-levels Neal once set, which is a high, if not unreasonable expectation.
However, 31 yards on the ground in week two’s 42-31 to Missouri is not acceptable no matter who your predecessor may be. In that grueling loss the Jayhawks rang in just 1.6 yards per carry, signaling much-needed improvement for the Hawkeyes.
Yesterday, questions were answered.
With Hishaw seeing just two carries thanks to an injury, the Iowa transfer had to make an impact, and he did.
Williams ran for 129 yards with one touchdown and a long run of 62 yards. Oh yeah, and 39 yards through the air with a touchdown there as well. I think a statement was made. Here is what Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said of the former Hawkeye.
“Leshon knew that this might be a game that he would he would have to step up more. I really thought he did, and you know, he runs physical. He does and does such a good job. He's a good one-cut guy as well, but, you know, that was impressive. I told him, I didn't even didn't know you were that fast [to be able] outrun everybody on that one [run], but it was a heck of a run, he got some good downfield blocking and, again, a big time game for him.”
As it stands through the early portions of the season, the Jayhawks have rushed for 191.3 yards per game, which ranks eighth in the Big 12 this season.
In week zero, Kansas’ 31-7 win over Fresno State. Kansas tallied 207 yards. Against Wagner, the Friday in a resounding 46-7 win, you can add another 285 yards on the ground. We spoke earlier about that dramatic drop-off in week two.
In total, the Jayhawks saw 259 yards on the ground on Saturday, yet it was crucial to see Williams pick up his first big game in a Kansas jersey.
Leipold’s team will look to improve on what has been a decent start for his squad, as Kansas is off to a 3-1 start and, more importantly, a 1-0 start in conference play. Up next is an away day in Cincinnati as Kansas will face the Bearcats next Saturday with an early start scheduled for 11 AM CT.