Grading the Kansas football team after an upset victory over No. 6 BYU
Kansas football might have turned its season around on Saturday.
The Jayhawks upset No. 6 BYU 17-13 in Provo, Utah, keeping their bowl contention hopes alive with two games to play.
“We know how good we can be, and coming in here, people might label it as an upset,” Kansas receiver Luke Grimm told reporters in Provo. “I don’t think anybody on this team thinks of it as an upset based on how we know our team can play.”
Added coach Lance Leipold in his postgame news conference: “We found a way this time.”
Here are our grades for all three phases for KU (4-6, 3-4 Big 12), plus a player of the game:
Kansas offense: C+
KU’s offense had an OK day on Saturday.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels finished 12-of-19 passing for 169 yards with one interception. KU running back Devin Neal rushed for 52 yards and had two touchdowns. The offense only had 242 total yards.
KU’s offense went silent in pivotal moments, but the unit did just enough to give the KU defense a chance to win the game.
Kansas defense: A-
KU’s defense was excellent vs. the Cougars — especially in the second half.
The Jayhawks stood tall in pivotal moments, including not letting BYU convert a do-or-die 4th down late in the game.
KU’s defense only allowed three points in the entire second half. KU cornerback Mello Dotson’s interception in the end zone before halftime was pivotal.
The Jayhawks’ defense allowed 354 total yards, with only 192 passing yards.
Kansas special teams: A-
Perhaps the most memorable special teams play came by Daniels.
On a 4th-and-14 early in the fourth quarter, Daniels executed a surprise pooch kick that BYU wasn’t prepared for. The football hit a BYU player and Kansas receiver Quentin Skinner recovered the ball.
KU turned it into a touchdown on the next play.
Punter Damon Greaves averaged 41 yards per punt, with a long of 47.
Return man Trevor Wilson had one return for 14 yards.
KU kicker Tabor Allen converted his only field goal, a 25-yard attempt.
KU player of the game: Mello Dotson
Dotson has a knack for making plays when they matter most. That was no different on Saturday.
He made his fifth interception of the season. The play prevented KU from being down at half, which was especially important, with BYU receiving the ball to begin the third quarter.
