Grading the Kansas Jayhawks football team’s season-ending loss vs. Baylor
KU football’s season is officially over.
Baylor defeated Kansas 45-17 on Saturday at McLane Stadium. The Jayhawks (5-7, 4-5 Big 12) remain winless against Baylor in Waco, now 0-11 all-time.
The loss ends KU’s bid for a bowl game.
“This group has overcome so much,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said in his postgame news conference. “It’s kind of been a roller coaster year in so many ways. We didn’t fulfill expectations and it’s disappointing.”
Here are our grades for all three phases of Saturday’s game, plus a player of the game:
Kansas offense: D+
The Jayhawks had 491 yards of total offense but only scored 17 points.
Why? Mainly due to three KU turnovers.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels finished 12-of-23 passing for 280 yards with two interceptions.
Daniels connected with tight end Tevita Ahoafi-Noa late in the second half for a 40-yard completion, but he fumbled the ball and Baylor recovered.
The lone bright spot was Kansas running back Devin Neal. He rushed for 133 yards and had one touchdown.
Kansas defense: F
KU’s defense was a disaster on Saturday.
The Bears finished with 45 points on 603 yards of total offense.
The Jayhawks just struggled to get off the field, as Baylor went 13-for-17 on third down and was a perfect 4-for-4 on red zone opportunities — leading to 28 points.
Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson torched the Jayhawks. He finished 23-of-31 passing for 310 yards with four touchdowns. KU also allowed 293 yards on the ground, namely to Bryson Washington, who ran for 193 yards.
It was KU’s worst defensive outing all season.
Kansas special teams: C+
KU’s special teams left much to be desired, like the offense and defense.
Kansas kicker Tabor Allen missed a 38-yard field goal on the opening drive. Return man Trevor Wilson had one return for 15 yards.
Punter Damon Greaves had two punts for an average of 36 yards.
KU player of the game: Devin Neal
The senior from Lawrence left his mark in his last-ever game in a Jayhawk uniform. He had 133 yards on only 20 carries. It felt like whenever the Jayhawks used him, he made a play happen.
Neal ends his Kansas career holding several major rushing records.
