Ok, it’s time to review some of what we saw over the weekend before getting to the news and links. Yes, we were screwed by the officials and the Big 12 agreed and is suspending that crew for a week. Well, ok that’s not really what happened in the grand scheme of things but it did happen.
I’m going to be serious for a few words here now and I was mostly encouraged by what we saw out of the Jayhawks on Saturday. It was far from perfect and my standards for KU football are still very, very low. Yes there
were concerning things but overall the team went to a school that is in the SEC and is considered a rival and had a very real chance at walking out with a win. We actually led the game with just over 8 minutes left in the game. If you offered that outcome to any KU fan prior to Saturday, I can’t imagine very many turning it down in hopes of something different. All I hoped for all week going into the game was to look like we belonged and to be competitive. That happened.
The first quarter stands out as obviously the best part of the game. After going nowhere on the first drive and then allowing the Tigers to drive down the field and take the early lead, the Jayhawks answered with a solid 7 play, 62 yard drive to take the lead back. A bit of fortune on Missouri’s next drive led to another KU touchdown and the lead building to 14-6 following a fumble return for a touchdown. After kicking off (legally) to the Tigers, the KU defense held them to 1 yard and forced another punt. On the next possession, the Jayhawks scored again to take a 21-6 lead into the 2nd quarter. I was getting giddy at this point because the offense was clicking and the defense seemed alive.
Things mostly crashed back to earth for the next 90ish minutes with Missouri scoring their own TD on a long drive to start the 2nd quarter and then KU recovering a Jalon Daniels fumble in the end zone for a safety. Definitely looked like illegal batting but it was still a fumble and the defense completely crumbled following it. Missouri would go on for two drives of 63 and 84 yards to even the score going into halftime. The Jayhawks ran 4 plays in the 2nd quarter and were tied, so shorten the game and hope it works out. The 3rd quarter was a bit of back and forth with Missouri leading 28-24 going into the 4th. A few punts by each team and then a masterful drive of 92 yards and all of the sudden we’re in the lead!
Mizzou responded with a solid drive of their own to take the lead back and that was all it took. KU had two more opportunities but couldn’t do anything with them and the defense gave up one more touchdown. But we were there and it could have happened.
Positives:
- Jalon Daniels looked solid when he had some time. 18/30 with a couple touchdowns and drops charged against him. He ran the ball a few times and was able to take advantage of gaps.
- The defense had moments where they were flying around and covered well.
- Leipold can coach. I was hoping to end up being mad about him for his clock management that we were warned about when he was hired. I can’t wait to have to care about clock management!
Negatives:
- Jalon Daniels can’t do it on his own. KU had 28 rushing yards total. Not going to work.
- The defense was asked to do way too much at times in this game but even when they weren’t Missouri had little to slow them down. This has been an ongoing issue and it’s starting to frustrate me, which is good because we’re at the point where we care about the outcome and can point to a few small issues.
Now that’s off my chest, lets check in on the world real quick.
SI also lays out some reasons for optimism.
Links!
The NCAA is looking at some changes to the transfer portal and Ohio State’s Ryan Day still isn’t a fan.
Teams appearing to be looking for the next Travis Hunter with more 2 way players.
I don’t really care yet and probably won’t in November but ESPN has a bubble watch for the playoffs.
SI also has a projection, easy to type and gets clicks I guess?
The Sporting News mentions Leipold as someone that may be on Florida’s radar if/when they end up looking for a new coach.
AI is still duping some CEOs.
Things are popping off in Nepal.
Oli North is back in the news.
QOTD: Now that we’ve seen 3 games, what record do you have for Kansas at the end of the season?
