Grades from KU’s 27-26 win over TCU and looking ahead to Iowa State

By Jesse Newell

Updated October 28, 2018 11:48 AM

Lawrence

Kansas coach David Beaty swears he’s seen this from Peyton Bender before.

Beaty says Bender, in practices, is one of the most accurate quarterbacks he’s ever been around.

“I know it’s going to translate over to the game at some point,” Beaty said. “I think his confidence just continues to grow.”

For most of his four seasons at KU, Beaty’s constant at QB has been change. He’s tinkered, refused to name starters and repeatedly opened the position up to gameweek competition.

Which makes Saturday’s actions notable.

Beaty stayed with Bender for a second straight week in KU’s 27-26 victory over TCU. He also continued with him after a subpar first half where, in the past, Beaty might have been tempted to rotate.

Bender delivered. He was accurate on downfield throws while making TCU pay for run-heavy looks. The not-exactly-nimble Bender also came through with one of the game’s biggest plays, lowering his shoulder on a third-and-11 scramble between two defenders to gain 12 on the eventual game-winning drive.

His final stats were excellent too. Bender was 19-for-29 for 249 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“I couldn’t be more proud of a kid,” Beaty said. “He’s a guy that’s taken a lot of criticism along the way, and there’s a reason why we stick with him. We believe in him.”

Here are grades for all three units, a highlight from Saturday’s loss and a look ahead.

Play of the game

Pooka Magic: It’s hard to understate how important getting a running back like Pooka Williams can be for KU. The true freshman took a standard throw out in the flat — more than 30 yards from end zone — and turned it into a go-ahead touchdown thanks to two ridiculous cuts that made TCU’s defenders look silly. KU appears to have landed a once-in-a-decade-type talent.

What a play by Kansas stud freshman Pooka Williams - and what a close call on the fumble. pic.twitter.com/zP8DJpKgcH
— Max Olson (@max_olson) October 27, 2018

Grades

Offense: A. The whole season, KU’s offense has been reliant on big plays while struggling mightily on a down-by-down basis. That — for the most part — flipped on Saturday. The Jayhawks’ 4.7-yard per play average wasn’t spectacular, but it was effective thanks to the team’s ability to string together first downs. The game plan was sound too, with KU smartly slowing the pace to limit possessions in a contest where it entered as a two-touchdown underdog. Beaty schemed effective ways to get Williams in the open field, with the back finishing with seven catches and 102 receiving yards. Bender also was the best version of himself with deep accuracy, while KU’s receivers hauled in some difficult catches. Considering the circumstances and opponent, this was easily one of the Jayhawks’ top offensive efforts.

Defense: C-. Perhaps the best thing one can say about KU’s defense after Saturday’s game is that it managed to dodge bullets. The Jayhawks, after allowing a long TCU drive in the first quarter, stood strong on fourth and goal from the 1 in an important moment. Linebacker Keith Loneker was in the right spot for a huge interception, though the ball hit him in the chest; it’s really a catch he should make. KU’s defense was then gashed on TCU’s final possession before it got bailed out by “Butt fumble 2.” The defensive numbers here aren’t pretty. TCU, with its backup quarterback, gained 504 yards, averaged 7.0 per play, was 8-for-12 on third downs and scored 24 points while limited to only nine true possessions (with eight of those starting inside the TCU 30). It’s the first time this season where the defense can’t take majority credit for a KU win.

Special teams: A. The kickoff team coverage, in particular, was outstanding. TCU faced long fields all afternoon, and that was important in a game where KU’s defense wasn’t at its best. Gabriel Rui was perfect on two field goals when he had to be, while Kyle Thompson continues to quietly rank as one of the Big 12’s top net punters.