Jayhawks light up scoreboard to win three-straight over Cyclones

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas put on a show in front of 51,109 fans at Arrowhead Stadium, and is still alive in the race for bowl eligibility following a 45-36 victory over Iowa State.

After all, the Jayhawks scored 31 points in the first half, generated a season-high, 532 yards of total offense, and downed the Cyclones for a third-straight year. Coach Lance Leipold was proud of the effort from his players, and the way they finally closed out a tight game.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels led the offense on a jaw-dropping, seven scoring drives, and running back Devin Neal set a career mark with the program. Once the smoke cleared, the Jayhawks led the Cyclones in total offense, first downs, plays, third down efficiency, yards per play and time of possession. Most importantly, Leipold’s squad won the turnover battle, and that was a reminder to him that his team utilized their bye-week.

“I think it was the balance in which we were able to create for our team,” Leipold said. “For a top-15 defense in the country that prides itself on not giving up a lot of big plays, and really forces you to drive the field, we were able to find some seams and some people.”

Although Iowa State (7-2) drew first blood, Kansas responded with 21 unanswered points, and led 31-13 at halftime. Daniels used his dual-threat capabilities, and made the Cyclone defenders look silly at times. He had full command of the offense, and Iowa State had to respect his arm, so defenders didn’t load up the box to stop Neal.

The running back was a battering ram, rushed for one of his two touchdowns in the first half, and ended the game with 116 yards on the ground. Neal surpassed June Henley as the program’s career leader in rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Leipold was in awe of Neal’s outing, and feels the record couldn’t have come to a more deserving player.

“I’m very happy for Devin, and all of his teammates have been part of this all the way through,” he said. “You talk many times about the kind of player he’s been, the person he’s been throughout this, and I’m so happy that he did this in front of our home fans.”

The Cyclones made it interesting in the final fifteen minutes of the contest, and scored 16 fourth quarter points. However, Iowa State’s defense couldn’t do anything to slow down Kansas’ explosive plays on offense. Even kicker Tabor Allen got in on the action and nailed a 47-yard field goal. Cornerback Mello Dotson intercepted Rocco Becht’s pass late in the fourth quarter, and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, which basically sealed the game for the Jayhawks.

Daniels completed 12 of his 24 passes for 295 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Not to mention he recorded 68 yards on the ground, and a rushing score. Neal averaged 6.4 yards per carry, and Daniel Hishaw also did damage out of the backfield.

Wideout Quentin Skinner caught four passes for a team-high, 135 yards and a touchdown. Luke Grimm also had a receiving score, and even hauled in a 70-yard pass. Kansas (3-6) was impressive with its’ balanced attack, and Leipold believes that’s going to be a recipe for success down the stretch.

Defensively, the Jayhawks allowed several explosive plays, especially from wideout Jaylin Noel, who finished with a game-high, 167 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Still, Kansas made key stops in the clutch, including Dotson’s interception. Linebacker JB Brown finished with a team-high, 10 tackles. Cornell Wheeler added nine stops, including one for loss. Cornerback Cobee Bryant, and safety O.J. Burroughs tallied five tackles apiece.

There’s no denying it was a much-needed win for Leipold, and the Jayhawks after coming up short in the Sunflower Showdown. Now Kansas has beat a ranked team for the first time this season, and its’ next two games will be against foes currently in the AP top-20.

Leipold understands there’s still a lot of football to be played, and his team has to build off the momentum heading into week 12. The Jayhawks have no margin for error the rest of the way though, and need to win out to reach postseason glory for a third consecutive year. Above all, when the offense is clicking on all cylinders like it did against the Cyclones, Leipold is confident that his team will be tough to stop approaching the last three games.

“We’ve been waiting for something like this, at times we thought we had the potential to be that type of offensive team, and I think we strung some games together now where we’ve played pretty well, and put many points up early.”