Kansas Jayhawks lose to K-State for 15th straight time: Here are 3 takeaways for KU
Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Rich Miller appeared to have caught the football.
For a brief moment, it looked like a KU pick-six and a chance for the Jayhawks to go up 33-16 midway through the third quarter of Saturday night’s game against rival K-State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Instead, Miller dropped it. And Kansas State scored on the ensuing drive.
That kind of mistake embodied this year’s edition of the Sunflower Showdown, a 31-27 K-State victory that marked the Wildcats’ 15th straight triumph in this cross-state rivalry. KU had plenty of opportunities to win the game but was undone by pivotal mistakes.
With 5:33 left in the game, the No. 23 Wildcats (8-3, 6-3 Big 12) clinched the outcome with a long, clock-eating drive that included multiple first downs.
After weeklong speculation about whether quarterback Jason Bean would start for Kansas (7-4, 4-4) — he’s been dealing with the lingering effects of a head injury suffered in last week’s game — freshman Cole Ballard instead got the call Saturday.
Ballard completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 116 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. KU running back Devin Neal added 138 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
KU heads to Cincinnati next Saturday to play the Bearcats in the Jayhawks’ final game of the regular season.
Here are some takeaways from Saturday’s action against Kansas State:
Kansas rushing attack delivers
Entering Saturday’s game, K-State had limited opponents to an average of 119 rushing yards per game, and just 3.9 yards per carry.
Well, the Jayhawks had 144 yards on 5.8 yards per carry — by halftime. Neal led the way with 82 yards and two touchdowns.
KU runners were decisive out of the backfield and attacked any openings created by the Jayhawks’ O-line. One of the most impressive runs of the evening was Neal’s 36-yard TD run, on which he created separation with a stutter-step and took it to the house.
The Jayhawks finished with 234 rushing yards as a team.
Cole Ballard shows promise
Until a month ago, Ballard was a primary walk-on and KU’s third-string QB.
After Bean’s head injury during last week’s home game against Texas Tech, Ballard finished the game as KU’s quarterback. He played well that day, especially for a walk-on.
On Saturday, however, the freshman encountered more resistance. K-State blitzed him multiple times, but instead of panicking, Ballard stepped up into the pocket to deliver accurate passes. He converted a couple of third and fourth downs along the way.
But the Wildcats were able to sack him twice, and his goal-line interception late in the fourth quarter proved costly for the Jayhawks.
Special teams mistakes burn Jayhawks
KU’s special teams play was a disaster Saturday.
First, KU kicker Seth Keller’s PAT attempt was blocked by K-State and returned the distance for two points. A 13-7 advance was thus reduced to four, 13-9.
In the second half, KU return man Trevor Wilson fumbled the ball and the Wildcats recovered it. On the ensuing drive, K-State scored a touchdown.
The Jayhawks’ special teams have had several rough outings over the last few weeks.
This story was originally published November 18, 2023 at 9:47 PM.
