West Virginia player ejected for targeting hit on Kansas QB Jalon Daniels
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- West Virginia safety Fred Perry ejected for targeting hit on Kansas QB Jalon Daniels.
- Offsetting penalties nullified yardage gain; KU’s Baynes was flagged for personal foul.
- Daniels remained in game, led Kansas to 17-3 first-half lead with key touchdown.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold didn’t bother to hide his exasperation.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels had just scrambled for 14 yards to convert a third-and-12 play against West Virginia. As Daniels slid at the end of the play, West Virginia safety Fred Perry dropped his helmet and delivered a big — and questionable — hit to Daniels’ head.
Immediately, a skirmish broke out on the field. And Leipold erupted on the sideline.
“I thought the whole thing was going to get out of hand,” Leipold said. “From what I saw, (it) was a targeting call.”
Right away, multiple flags were thrown. Daniels appeared shaken up by the hit, while Leipold ran onto the field in protest.
The play was flagged for targeting. KU offensive lineman Kobe Baynes was also called for a personal foul — for shoving West Virginia’s Perry after seeing the hit on Daniels.
“Of course, our guys are going to defend somebody,” Leipold said. “I didn’t see if Kobe Baynes was the first one to push somebody. Then, I saw somebody else in a white jersey push somebody. Then, Calvin Clements was pushed. That’s why I try to get into it before we just have a disaster. That’s tough for officials.”
The targeting penalty was upheld upon review, and Perry was disqualified. Because of the offsetting fouls, the Jayhawks did not gain additional yardage.
Daniels remained in the game. That KU drive ended in a Laith Marjan field goal to put Kansas up 10-0.
Later in the half, Daniels found Leshon Williams for a 39-yard touchdown pass to give the Jayhawks a 17-3 lead. The Jayhawks went on to win 41-10.
Kansas commits targeting penalty of its own
Kansas safety Devin Dye was ejected for targeting in the second half. He will miss the first half of the game against Cincinnati next Saturday.
During his postgame news conference, Leipold explained what he was told by the officials.
“The official said to me, as they are reviewing it, he thought his face was up on it, and he’s not as defenseless as the runner there,” Leipold said. “But I think the replay showed that his head was down, and he hit with the crown of the helmet, which is unfortunate because it was a nice hit.
“All of those things are for the safety of the game, to keep guys healthy. And that’s what is most important.”
Dye made three tackles, one solo, on Saturday. He made five starts for KU last season, his first on the team after transferring in from Utah State.
This story was originally published September 20, 2025 at 6:41 PM.
