Grading the KU football team after another last-minute loss to the K-State Wildcats
It was another close game — and another familiar ending — as Kansas football lost to rival K-State 29-27 on Saturday.
The Jayhawks have now lost 16 straight vs. the Wildcats. This defeat came in heartbreaking fashion, with the Jayhawks having the chance to both run out the clock on a win and later drive for a game-saving score but failing to convert.
“You’re right there and you can taste it, and it’s a different type of feeling than like a normal win,” Kansas wide receiver Luke Grimm said. “We’re at their place, they’re ranked (No. 16). This would be huge for us and it would just tear them apart.
“And so just to be that close and not be able to close out and execute how we need to execute, it’s just not a great taste in the mouth.”
Here are our grades for all three phases for KU (2-6, 1-4 Big 12), plus a player of the game:
Kansas Offense: C-
KU’s offense started red-hot but failed to score a single point in a pivotal fourth quarter.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels finished 18-of-31 passing for 209 yards with one passing touchdown and one interception. He had a costly lost fumble that the Wildcats recovered and capitalized on with the game-winning field goal. He also scored a rushing touchdown.
Kansas running back Devin Neal 66 rushing yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.
Although their offense had 401 yards, the Jayhawks failed to show up in moments that mattered. Blunders like the fumble, interception and a first-half safety all played a role in the loss.
Kansas Defense: C+
The defense mostly put KU in a position to win, but it did allow the game-winning field goal drive and struggled containing the K-State run game.
The overall numbers weren’t pretty: K-State had 479 total yards, with 226 rushing yards on 38 carries.
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson ran for 67 yards and had a key third-down conversion on the game-winning drive.
KU did recover a pivotal fumble to end a Wildcats drive; it wasn’t the defense’s worst effort of the season, but it wasn’t anything to write home about.
Kansas Special Teams: D+
KU’s special teams were a disaster on Saturday.
Kansas kick returner Jameel Croft fielded the ball at the 1-yard line, toe-tapped and stepped out of bounds. On its next play, KU surrendered a safety when Neal was stuffed in the end zone.
Kicker Tabor Allen missed a PAT. It was his second missed PAT of the season and a huge blunder in what ended up being a two-point loss.
Punter Damon Greaves averaged 41 yards per punt, with a long of 46.
KU player of the game: WR Trevor Wilson
If there was a bright spot for the Jayhawks, it would be receiver Trevor Wilson. Usually a backup, Wilson took more snaps at receiver after Quentin Skinner’s dropped touchdown pass.
Wilson delivered a quality game, leading all KU receivers with 69 yards. He made four catches and earned praise from coach Lance Leipold postgame.
