The Kansas football team was expected to win Saturday against Middle Tennessee, but no one could have predicted just how much the Jayhawks would dominate the game.
KU needed a game like this to gain confidence and momentum as they head into Big 12 play for the rest of the season. While it was great to see the Jayhawks play so well, Middle Tennessee clearly isn't a good team.
Still, Kansas did what needed to be done, and there was not a letup. The 55-0 final score was the first shutout for KU since 2008, and they set a school record with 706 total yards in defense.
The Kansas offense had plenty to be positive about against Middle Tennessee
No. 1: The Kansas running game
The Jayhawks averaged a whopping 8.3 yards on their 58 carries for a total of 480 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Three of those scores were produced by Dylan Edwards, who had a massive day. The best thing was how much of a team effort it was.
- Dylan Edwards: 20 carries, 138 yards, 6.8-yard average, three touchdowns
- Jalen Dupree: 12 carries, 68 yards, 5.7-yard average, one touchdown
- Donald Collier: 5 carries, 50 yards, 10.0-yard average
- Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman: 4 carries, 48 yards, 12.0-yard average, one touchdown
- Isaiah Marshall: 11 carries, 110 yards, 10.0-yard average
- Chase Jenkins: 3 carries, 53 yards, 17.7-yard average, one touchdown
Those are some incredible numbers, and it was beneficial for players like Dupree and Cumming-Coleman to get some work during this game as it is appears that Yasin Willis will be out for the res tof the year. KU will need these running backs to spell Edwards and maintain a high level of effectiveness.
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Edwards needs to be the workhorse, but other players look capable of filling in for him whenever necessary. The running game was much better than it was against Arizona State. While no one should expect such an outburst again, hopefully the backs can continue their strong play moving forward.
No. 2: The offensive line
The Kansas offensive line absolutely dominated Middle Tennessee. Your running game cannot put up the numbers it did without the big boys just bullying a defense.
The line was spectacular all day. The line was effective all day. It was blasting holes between the hashes, getting to the second level of the defense and taking out linebackers and safeties, or pulling to lead the rushers to the outside, creating room to run.
The Blue Raiders do not have the talent of the Big 12 teams KU will face, but the line play stood out, and the players should feel terrific about what they accomplished in the trenches on Saturday.
No. 3: The quarterback play was much improved
Isaiah Marshall had an efficient day, going 13-for-22 for 161 yards and one touchdown. Even better, Marshall didn't turn the ball over. Early in the game, he did overshoot some receivers, but neither was as big of a miss as he's had in previous games. The coaching staff needs to get him better prepared for the start of games. He needs to be calmer and more comfortable earlier.
Marshall was incredibly effective when he ran the ball. Rushing for 110 yards on just 11 carries is fantastic, and he did an impressive job of running only when he had to or it was a called run. He is improving, and that is what KU fans have been looking for. If he ever develops some touch on his longer passes, the sky will be the limit for Marshall at Kansas.
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Rice transfer Chase Jenkins made his Kansas debut and performed beautifully, albeit in a blowout. He was calm and delivered three strikes on three throws, good for 65 yards. He averaged nearly 18 yards on his three runs and looked just as good there. With Cole Ballard out, it is nice to have someone with experience like Jenkins backing up Marshall. Jenkins certainly looked capable of answering the call if needed.
While it is challenging to judge the KU performance based on a blowout against a weak opponent, it was encouraging how well the Jayhawks played in just about every facet of the game (outside of kickoff return coverage). KU needs to build off this performance and carry it on the road to Utah this Saturday.
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