Tag: Kansas Football

RECAP: Texas leads Kansas at half, 13-7

Texas left several points on the board in the first half against Kansas.

It’s halftime in Austin. The Texas Longhorns lead the Kansas Jayhawks, 13-7. The margin should have been far wider.

The Texas offense had a better first half than the score might indicate. Jonathon Brooks exploded like we predicted. He crossed the 100-yard mark early in the second quarter as the Longhorns pounded the Jayhawks run defense into the ground.

For the most part, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had a good half adding 162 passing yards to the rushing total. Despite the Texas offensive explosion, Kansas rode good fortune back into the game.

The Jayhawks’ only score came on a recovery of the team’s own fumble. Texas safety Jalen Catalon dislodged the ball from Kansas quarterback Jason Bean before his running back Daniel Hishaw took the fumble to the end zone.

Defensively, Kansas benefitted from opportunistic stops, but the stops were more on the Longhorns failures than the Jayhawks’ making plays. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian probably would have liked to have called less bubble screens and stuck to the run on the day.

Texas scored 13 points on 342 total yards in the first half. It wasn’t the level of efficiency you would like to see from the No. 3 team in the country.

The Jayhawks baited Ewers into his first interception of the season at the end of the half. Ewers ended early action 14-for-18 with 162 passing yards and an interception.

Despite all the missed opportunities the Longhorns lead at half, 13-7. The team will need a much better second half to ensure a win.

WATCH: Texas QB Quinn Ewers runs for 30-yard touchdown against Kansas

Ewers got his fourth touchdown run to kick off the Kansas game.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is using his wheels this season. Just a week after a long touchdown run against Baylor, Ewers took off for a 30-yard scamper for six points.

The run came in response to a blitz that forced Ewers to evacuate the pocket. The Texas signal caller responded by aggressively stepping up in the pocket and heading toward the end zone.

Ewers’ ability to extend plays and break down defenses for explosive runs gives opponents something else to worry about against Texas. The added dimension has the Longhorns offense moving the chains and putting more points on the board.

Blitzing on Ewers might not pay off for opposing defenses moving forward. It didn’t on his 30-yard touchdown run. The play could make opposing coordinators think twice about the pressures they call.

The play marked the second-year starter’s fourth touchdown run of the season and raises his total touchdown tally to 13 on the season.

College Gameday picks for No. 3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas

Ken Jeong picked Kansas to upset Texas.

No. 3 Texas squaring off with No. 24 Kansas in Austin is one of the top games of the week. Continue reading “College Gameday picks for No. 3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas”

Score predictions for No. 3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas

Taking a look at numerous score predictions for Texas vs. Kansas in Week 5.

No. 3 Texas hosting No. 24 Kansas is one of the more exciting games on the schedule for Week 5. Continue reading “Score predictions for No. 3 Texas vs. No. 24 Kansas”

Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media on Thursday ahead of Kansas matchup

“To play Saturday here at DKR in a top-25 matchup with two undefeated teams, this is why we do what we do.”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media following Thursday’s practice. Continue reading “Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media on Thursday ahead of Kansas matchup”

Shut It Down: Texas defensive line can end the game against Kansas

The Texas defensive line can end Kansas’ upset bid before it starts.

The Texas defensive line has mauled its way into several backfields early this season. For the team to secure a win on Saturday, the Texas front needs to duplicate that performance.

Early this season, starting edge rusher Ethan Burke has emerged as a problem for opposing offensive tackles. The problem has yet to have been solved. Opposite him is Barryn Sorrell who is still bringing the impact he brought last season, despite what the stat sheet might lack.

It’s getting competitive in opposing backfields this season. Several Longhorns have secured a sack thus far. Against Baylor, defensive tackle Byron Murphy tallied two sacks of his own. The unit has been disruptive. Its disruption could spell chaos for its next opponent.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is a true dual threat quarterback. He can run and pass at a high level. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe brought a similar skill set against Texas, but with a much less consistently accurate arm. This week, Texas has to get Daniels on the ground.

The Longhorns can end this game with a dominant pass rush. They will look to bring that pass rush on Saturday afternoon.

Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Drop Close Contest To Kansas 31-24

Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Drop Close Contest To Kansas 31-24 Nevada showed fight and effort but it was not enough as they dropped their 13th straight loss to Kansas 31-24. Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire Nevada Shows Effort And Fight In …

Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Drop Close Contest To Kansas 31-24

Nevada showed fight and effort but it was not enough as they dropped their 13th straight loss to Kansas 31-24.

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

Nevada Shows Effort And Fight In 31-24 Loss To Kansas

The Nevada Wolf Pack put in the effort and intensity against Kansas that was missing when they played Idaho a week ago. Nevada was a completely different team from the one that  looked ill prepared against the Vandals. The Wolf Pack, who were 28 point underdogs to the Jayhawks at home, kept the game close all the way until the last minutes of the game.

However, Nevada ran out of gas and did not string together enough defensive stops against the Jayhawks on Saturday night. The Wolf Pack lost again for the 13th straight time to Kansas 31-24 in Reno.

Nevada’s offense did connect on some big chunk plays to make the Jayhawks sweat it out until the end. The Wolf Pack defense did force the Jayhawks to punt a few times and even forced a turnover. But Nevada could not get defensive stops at key moments of the game hence why the Wolf Pack could not take the lead over Kansas. 

Even though it is another loss for Nevada, the effort, resilience and intensity was there that wasn’t a week before and Coach Ken Wilson saw that. “That was a great effort by those men in that locker room”, Wilson said after the game. Wilson also said that “we’re going to win those games (down the road)”.

If Nevada plays like they did against Kansas for the next nine weeks, then Wilson’s premonition will bear winning fruit. 

The action started in the first quarter when the Jayhawks got on the scoreboard first. Kansas running back Devin Neal (17 carries, 89 yards, three touchdowns) scored on a three yard run to put Kansas up 7-0 early. In the second quarter  Nevada got on the board on a 42 yard field goal by Brandon Talton to cut the Jayhawk lead to 7-3

Midway in the second quarter, Kansas went on a 13 play, 47 yard drive that ended with K Seth Keller connecting on a 44 yard field goal to extend the Kansas lead to 10-3.  Late in the second half, Nevada’s offense got it going and matched down the field in scoring position.

The big play in the Wolf Pack’s drive to close out the first half was QB Brendon Lewis (15/22 113 yards, 11 carries 53 yards, two touchdowns) leaving the QB pocket and recorded a 20 yard run to the KU three yard line. That run by Lewis was punctuated by RB Sean Dollars scoring on a three yard touchdown run to tie the game up at 10-10 at the half. 

In the third quarter, Nevada’s defense strip-sacked Jayhawk QB Jaylon Daniels and LB Drue Watts recovered the fumble for the Wolf Pack. But after that Kansas turnover, the Wolf Pack offense could not convert that turnover into points and had to punt. On the next Kansas offensive possession, Kansas retook the lead as they went on a 11 play, 84 yard touchdown drive when Daniel Hishaw Jr., scored on a one yard run to put Kansas up 17-10.  

The Wolf Pack offense came back swinging on their next possession when Lewis connected with WR Dalevon Campbell on a 53 yard pass to put Nevada in the red zone. Two plays later, Lewis scored on a six yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17-17.

After Nevada scored to tie the game, the Wolf Pack were assessed with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the kick off. That costly penalty put the Kansas offense at near midfield to start their next offensive possession. 

The Jayhawks only needed two plays to retake the lead as Jaylon Daniels (21 completions 27 attempts for 298 yards) connected with Devin Neal for a 59 yard pass play to put Kansas at the goal line. One play later, Neal scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to make the score 24-17 Kansas in the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Nevada’s offense responded with a lengthy scoring drive to tie the game up for the third time. The big play in that drive was when Nevada running back Ashton Hayes broke through with a 35 yard run. Hayes fumbled the ball and looked like it was doom for the Wolf Pack but WR Spencer Curtis recovered the fumble at the KU one yard line. 

Two plays later, QB Brendon Lewis scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a two yard run to tie the game up at 24-24. The score by Lewis capped off a 14 play, 75 yard drive that kept Nevada in the game.

However, Kansas got the last laugh when on their next possession they retook the lead for the final time. On a nine play, 75 yard drive that was propelled by some big time completions from Daniels, the Jayhawk running back Devin Neal scored his third rushing touchdown. That score put Kansas up for good 31-24.

After both Nevada and Kansas exchanged punts late in the game, the Wolf Pack had one final chance to tie the game and force overtime. But the Wolf Pack got the ball deep in their own territory with zero timeouts and could not move the ball into scoring position. 

Nevada went for it on fourth down and one and ran a fly sweep that the Jayhawks snuffed out quickly to end the game. 

The last play call by the Wolf Pack was questionable to say the least. But what was not in question was Nevada’s effort throughout the game. The Wolf Pack fought and kept Kansas on their toes for the whole game. In the end, the Wolf Pack did not get the stops on defense consistently enough to win the game.

It was a good effort by Nevada but it is still a loss. And like Bill Parcells once said, “you are what your record is”. And Nevada is 0-3 and losers in 13 straight games.

We will see if Nevada can snap that losing streak on the road against Texas State next Saturday.

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Kansas Vs Nevada: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

Kansas Vs Nevada: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction Nevada looks to avoid a 13-game losing streak as they host Kansas on Saturday Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire Nevada Hosts Kansas As The Wolf Pack Look To Bounce Back After Ugly …

Kansas Vs Nevada: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

Nevada looks to avoid a 13-game losing streak as they host Kansas on Saturday

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

Nevada Hosts Kansas As The Wolf Pack Look To Bounce Back After Ugly Idaho Loss

WEEK 3: Nevada Wolf Pack (0-2) vs Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)

WHEN: Saturday, September 16th-7:30PM PT/8:30PM MT

TV:  CBS Sports Network

RADIO: Nevada is on 105.7 KOZZ in Reno and Kansas is on 810 WHB in Kansas City, Kansas.

SERIES RECORD:  This is the first ever meeting between Nevada and Kansas.

WEBSITES: NevadaWolfPack.com, the official Nevada athletics website | KUAthletics.com, the official Kansas athletics website

NOTES: Nevada | Kansas

ODDS:  Kansas  (-28)

SP + PROJECTION:  Kansas by 26.3

FEI PROJECTION:  Kansas by 12.5

The Nevada Wolf Pack will take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Reno on Saturday night. Nevada is looking to perform a whole lot better than they did the last time they took the field.

For those who might have missed it, the Wolf Pack embarrassed themselves against FCS opponent Idaho. The Vandals had very little issues as they defeated Nevada 33-6 in Reno last Saturday.  It was one of the more shocking and embarrassing performances in Wolf Pack football history because the entire team and coaching staff looked unprepared to play against Idaho. 

This week, we will see if the entire Nevada football team can bounce back and perform better than they did last week. If not, expect that hot seat that is already hotter than the sun to get even more hot under Ken Wilson. 

Nevada is facing a Kansas Jayhawk team that is playing great this early in the season. The Jayhawks are coming off an impressive 34-23 win over Illinois last week and are looking to push their record to 3-0.

Their offense is one of the best in the nation and is led by QB Jaylon Daniels. Daniels can do damage with his arm and his legs and will look to go into Reno and come away with a victory.

Can the Wolf Pack get themselves together and be competitive this week against Kansas? 

 

Here are my three keys and a prediction

 

Find a way to slow down Jalon Daniels. 

Once again, the Nevada defense must face a dynamic quarterback. First it was Caleb Williams, last week it was Gevani McCoy and now it is Daniels. 

Daniels is coming off an impressive performance last week against Illinois. Daniels completed 21 of 29 pass attempts for 277 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Daniels also carried the ball 11 times for 24 yards. 

Daniels is the conductor of a Kansas offense that is averaging 530 total offensive yards per game and averaging 7.63 yards per play. It is early in the season but the Kansas offense is clearly one of the best offenses in the nation.

The Wolf Pack have been terrible in stopping opposing offenses this season. For Nevada to have any chance on Saturday night, they must find a way to slow down Daniels and the Kansas offense. 

 

Continue to get the running game going 

When a team like Nevada gets hammered by double digit points, there usually isn’t a whole lot of positive things to talk about. 

However, Nevada did one thing well in their loss to Idaho: Run the ball.

The Wolf Pack ran for 118 yards at 4.7 yards a carry last week against the Vandals. RB Sean Dollars was Nevada’s leading rusher with 48 yards on nine carries. While the Wolf Pack passing game was struggling, the running game was at least decent.

In the first two games of this season, the Wolf Pack offense is nothing spectacular. The offense did run the ball decently last week and against a high powered offense like Kansas, that is needed .If Nevada has plans on winning on Saturday and snapping this long losing streak, the run game needs to get positive yards.

 

Better QB play

The quarterback performances of Brendon Lewis and AJ Bianco have been below average. That was especially the case last week against Idaho where the combined stats of Lewis and Bianco was not good. Lewis and Bianco combined to go 20 for 38 passing for 148 yards (at 3.9 yards per attempt) zero touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Now it may not look like it but the QB play for Nevada on paper looks slightly better than last season’s QBs. But after two games, the QB play has been a continuation of what happened last season and that was some horrible QB play. For Nevada to win, the QB play has to get much better no matter if Lewis or Bianco is under center. 

Nevada has not had good QB play since Carson Strong back in 2021 and even though he is back in Reno as an assistant, he isn’t suiting up at QB. The Wolf Pack need Lewis and/or Bianco to play well to snap this losing streak.

 

Prediction

Kansas 42  Nevada 21

Nevada was embarrassed last week against Idaho at home and there is no way to sugar coat that fact. What was worse is that the Wolf Pack looked outmatched on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The way Nevada lost to Idaho was just shocking on all fronts.

This week will offer no reprieve for the Wolf Pack. Kansas, like Idaho and USC, has an explosive offense and can score in bunches. Nevada has been unable to even slow down an opposing offense through two games this season. 

I think Nevada will put up a better effort than they did last week but in the end, Kansas has too much offense for the Wolf Pack to try to stop. The losing streak for Nevada will get extended for another week. 

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Nevada Football: First Look At The Kansas Jayhawks

The Wolf Pack will take on resurgent Kansas during non-conference play this year. Here’s a first look at the Jayhawks.

Nevada Football: First Look at the Kansas Jayhawks

The Wolf Pack will take on resurgent Kansas during non-conference play this year. Here’s a first look at the Jayhawks.

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake and @MWCwire

Can the Pack take down another Power 5 foe at Mackay?

Nevada Football: First Look at 2023 Non-conference Opponents

USC | Idaho | Kansas | Texas State

The Wolf Pack host the Kansas Jayhawks as Nevada looks to score the upset in Reno.

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Conference: Big 12

Series History: This will be the first meeting between Nevada and Kansas.

2022 Record: 6-7 (3-6 Big 12)

Head Coach: Lance Leipold (third year; 8-17 at Kansas, 154-56 overall). Leipold first built a reputation as a winner at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he won six national championships in eight years, and it didn’t take him a ton of time to do the same at Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to three straight bowl games, and Kansas, which went bowling last year for the first time since 2008.

That came on the strength of a surge in the first half of last season. The Jayhawks began 5-0, including victories over Duke and Iowa State, though injuries set them back in the second half with close losses to TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor, and Arkansas. There’s no doubt Kansas is in a much better spot than they’ve been in a long time, though, as they return more production from 2022 than any other team in the country and look to compete in a wide-open Big 12.

Key Players

Jalon Daniels, QB

The Jayhawks return 10 starters on offense from last season and one of the main contributors from last season is quarterback Jaylon Daniels.

Daniels was incredible for the Jayhawks in 2022 as he completed 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns. Daniels also ran for 419 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns last season. In the Liberty Bowl last season, Daniels threw a school record 544 yards and six touchdowns in a 55-53 three overtime loss to Arkansas. 

Daniels and his stellar 2022 season earned him second team All-Big 12 honors. During Big 12 Media Days in July, the media voted Daniels as preseason 2023 Offensive Player of the Year. High marks for Daniels who has made himself a key component of the Kansas offense. 

Devin Neal, RB

Neal led the Jayhawks in rushing yards in 2022 after taking over for the injured Daniel Hishaw Jr.,. Neal rushed for 1,090 yards and rushed for nine touchdowns while averaging a little over six yards per carry. 

Neal took over the  Neal is a tough physical running back who stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 210 pounds. Neal will be a hard running back for opposing defenders to bring down. 

With Neal and the returning Hishaw Jr. splitting carries to go along with Daniels rushing threat, the Kansas rushing attack is in great shape in 2023.

Cobee Bryant, CB

Bryant, a 6-foot, 170 lbs cornerback from Evergreen, Alabama, is one of the top cornerbacks in the the Big XII conference. In 2022, Bryant led the team in interceptions with three interceptions while recording 38 tackles as well.

One of Bryant’s three interceptions he returned for a pick six against West Virginia last season which helped Kansas defeat the Mountaineers in overtime last season. 

 

Mike Novitsky, C

Novitsky is the main player on the offensive line for the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks had one of the best offensive lines in the Big 12 in 2022 and Novitsky, the former Buffalo transfer, was the reason for it.

Novitsky was rehabbing from surgery on his hand during the spring but is ready to play in the fall and lead the Jayhawk offense in 2023. 

Kenny Logan, S

Logan is the safety for the Jayhawks and is a tackling machine. Logan has led the team in tackles in each of the last three seasons for Kansas. In 2022, Logan recorded 106 tackles (72 solo) to go along with recording two interceptions.

Logan’s play in the secondary along with Cobee Bryant will be much needed for the Kansas defense in 2023.

Overview:

Offense

Kansas offense returns the most offensive production than anyone in the nation. The Jayhawks return 10 starters on the offensive side of the ball and that was an offense that averaged 438.6 yards and 35.6 points per game last season. 

With Jaylon Daniels at QB and the two headed running backs of Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr, the Kansas skills position players look to continue their stellar play in 2023.

The offensive line is returning four of their starters from last season and brought in transfers Logan Brown (Wisconsin) and  Spencer Lovell (California) to add to their depth. 

Defense

On defense, the Jayhawks have some issues they need to address if they are going to continue to trend upward. The Jawhawks gave up 35.6 points per game last season which placed them 124th nationally in that category. 

Kansas does have a strength in their secondary with players like Kenny Logan and Cobee Bryant anchoring that group. But Kansas has to replace four starters on the defensive line from last season. The Jayhawks do return Jereme Robinson who recorded 8.5 tackles for loss in 2022 and Tommy Dunn Jr., could get plenty of playing time at the defensive line.

Kansas did land some depth pieces on the defensive line through the transfer portal to help them out. Austin Booker (Minnesota), Devin Phillips (Colorado State) and Patrick Joyner Jr., (Utah State) could get on the defensive line rotation for the Jayhawks this season. 

Early Prediction

Kansas 28   Nevada 20

I think Nevada’s defense can corral the Jayhawks offense for a little while. However, the Kansas offensive is just too good and the Wolf Pack offense can’t score enough points to keep up. It’ll be close but Kansas will defeat Nevada. 

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Challenging accepted perceptions about each Big 12 contender

Will teams revert to what they always have been the last decade? We discuss why that’s not necessarily the case.

Perception is not always reality. That’s certainly the case of the Big 12 heading into the 2023 season. Rarely do the preseason predictions tell the story of the regular season, and that’s probably the case this season.

Texas hopes it is safe from that reality, as it has seen several first-place predictions to win its league. It could be difficult to mess up this opportunity. The Longhorns bring back 10 of 11 offensive starters. Respected voices that dismiss that fact likely reside somewhere just north of the Red River.

Some have already decided the Longhorns are built to fold like teams in recent memory without simply looking at the current roster. No other team can boast a lineup of more proven players than Texas boasts.

Texas’ list of irrefutably proven commodities includes Ja’Tavion Sanders, Xavier Worthy, Kelvin Banks, Jaylan Ford, Jahdae Barron, Jalen Catalon, Ryan Watts, Jerrin Thompson, AD Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and Christian Jones. Several others have played well on the field. That number of truly proven players is unmatched by any Longhorns team in recent memory.

With that in mind, let’s challenge a few other preconceived notions about Big 12 contenders.