KANSAS CITY, Missouri — In a much-needed victory, Kansas football took down the No. 18 Cyclones, 45-36, on Saturday at home.
Here’s how the Jayhawks (3-6, 2-4 in Big 12) graded out from their win against the Cyclones (7-2, 4-2 in Big 12):
It didn’t seem like Kansas could do much wrong offensively for much of the game, as it scored on six-straight drives and didn’t turn the ball over. Senior running back Devin Neal finished with 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns, as he also set the program record for career rushing yards. Redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels had three total touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground.
Grade: A-
Iowa State finished with 461 yards of total offense, with the vast majority of that coming through the air. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht finished with 383 yards passing and three touchdowns. But while the Cyclones amassed 36 points, with most of that coming in the second half, Kansas senior cornerback Mello Dotson returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help ensure the Jayhawks could hold on to their lead.
Grade: B-
After some costly miscues in their last game, the Jayhawks had much more success on special teams against Iowa State. Sophomore punter Damon Greaves had two punts that landed inside the 20 yard line, and in the return game Kansas made more quality decisions. Although senior kicker Tabor Allen missed a 30-yard field goal, he also made a 47-yard field goal and hit all of his extra points.
Grade: B
For the second time this season, Kansas’ coaches have guided their team to a win after an open week. Even though Iowa State made a push late, the Jayhawks did something they have so often struggled to do this season and held on to a second-half lead. Putting the Cyclones away didn’t come with the ease Kansas fans likely would have hoped after holding a three-possession lead at halftime, but the upset victory still happened.
Grade: A-
Jordan Guskey covers the University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
