Kansas was a 13.5-point favorite coming into the matchup with Fresno State. KU won by 24 points, and I’m not sure the game was even that close.
Full disclosure: I had zero expectations coming into this game, so I’m coming out pleasantly surprised. You don’t go lose to UNLV, Illinois, and Western Virginia last year and expect not to lose a few people, right? That’s my defense, anyway.
Soon-to-be Pac-12 member Fresno State came into the 2025 with moderate expectations in the Mountain West. The Bulldogs
were picked by the media to finish 5th in their 12-team conference, while Bill Connelly’s post-spring S&P+ has them ranked as the 4th-best MW program coming into this season. Overall the Bulldogs began the season at #89 in S&P+, while KU came in at #50.
Pretext aside, despite Kansas scoring just 7 points in the second half, this game was a mismatch, especially after Fresno’s first offensive possession. The Bulldogs went 75 yards in just 7 plays on their first possession, but would gain just 141 more yards over the rest of the contest. Overall, Fresno averaged 3.7 yards per play, while KU went for 6.6 yards per play. Each offense ran 58 plays.
Turnovers were huge as well. KU fumbled the ball once but recovered it; Fresno was not so lucky, turning the ball over three times, including two interceptions. However, KU only converted those three turnovers into 3 points.
Penalties were a little concerning, with KU flagged 9 times for 72 yards. Fresno saw just 4 flags, but it cost them 50 yards.
Third down was also concerning. Fresno converted 7-15 third down attempts, while KU converted just 2-10. KU was 2-3 on fourth down, however, while Fresno went 1-2.
Overall, though, this is a good, solid win against a solid program.
The Good
#Jalon4Heisman?
The Bad
There wasn’t much “bad” in this one, so I’ll go with Fresno’s opening drive. The Bulldogs marched right down the field, and I thought, well maybe KU will be a good Over team this year. But to their credit, the defense locked down, and carried KU to a big win.
The Ugly
KU converted its first two 3rd down attempts on its opening drive, and then failed to convert one over the rest of the game. That’s… let’s just say… not ideal.
The Stats
Jalon Daniels was the only KU QB to throw a pass in this one, and throw he did. Jalon completed 18-20 for 176 yards and 3 TDs without any INTs and just one sack. Jalon added 47 rushing yards on 8 carries, with a long of 23 yards. He looked like the QB we were hoping for last year. If he stays fully healthy all year? Watch out, Big 12.
Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard each saw some playing time in the 4th quarter. Neither attempted a pass. Marshall picked up 13 rush yards on his lone carry, and Ballard added 10 yards on two rush attempts.
Daniel Hishaw led the Jayhawks in rushing with 69 yards (nice) on 13 carries.
Leshon Williams added 57 yards on 6 carries with a TD. Williams left the game with an undisclosed injury, and Leipold indicated to JayhawkSlant that he would be “questionable or doubtful” for the next game against Wagner on Friday.
KU has a whole new stable of receivers that we’ll need to become familiar with. Ball State transfer Cam Pickett was electric, hauling in 6 receptions for 77 yards and 2 TDs.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr added 24 yards on 3 receptions.
DeShawn Hanika picked up 17 yards with 2 receptions.
Leshon Wiliams, Levi Wentz, Keaton Kubecka, Daniel Hishaw, Harry Stewart III, Boden Groen, and Carson Bruhn all had one reception on one target, with Keaton Kubecka going for a TD.
LB Trey Lathan, the West Virginia transfer, led KU with 8 tackles.
S Lyrik Rawls (Okla St transfer) was credited with 5 tackles and an INT.
LB Bangally Kamara (South Carolina transfer) was credited with 4 tackles and a sack.
S Devin Dye had two tackles and an INT, and was also credited with a half-sack alongside Logan Brantley.
DE Leroy Harris III added two tackles including a sack.
PK Laith Marjan went 4-4 on extra points and nailed a 47-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.
P Finn Lappin booted three punts for a 53.7 average, including a 61-yarder.
