Kansas QB Jalon Daniels ruled out vs. Oklahoma State

Jalon Daniels is officially out for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State. The Kansas quarterback was seen in street clothes as he arrived at the stadium, meaning Jason Bean is getting the nod once again.

Daniels has been dealing with a back injury that has kept him out since a Sept. 23 game against BYU. Throughout the week leading up to the Oklahoma State matchup, Daniels was viewed as doubtful, but his status is now official.

In three games this year, Daniels threw for 705 yards and five touchdowns prior to his injury. Bean has looked solid in his place as he totaled 503 yards and four touchdowns in six appearances this season.

Daniels’ status was up in the air all week ahead of the matchup against Oklahoma State, which made it tough for Mike Gundy to game plan. He said the Cowboys were preparing for Bean because he’s been on the field, but he also acknowledged the unknowns about Daniels.

“We have to prepare for Bean. … We have to prepare for him,” Gundy said. “I don’t know what’s going on with Jalon Daniels. But he has not been out there in a couple weeks. I don’t know that they change a lot when he’s in there. They’re going to do the same stuff, in my opinion. Now, he might bring a few things to the table differently. But we have to prepare for the guy that has been out there the last three weeks or whatever.”

In Daniels’ absence, Kansas has relied more on the running game. The Jayhawks averaged 248 rushing yards per game through the first three games of the year, but even though that number dropped to just over 216 yards per contest since, they’re running the ball nearly 41 times per game since Daniels’ injury.

Lance Leipold said the running game going is essential to get the rest of the offense rolling. That will be part of the plan against Oklahoma State, which allows 154 rushing yards per game.

“We knew we were gonna have to run the football today to have a chance for success,” Leipold said. “Jason stepped up and handled the offense very well. Made throws when we needed him to. I thought Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw really played well and you’ve gotta credit the guys up front.”

Kickoff between Kansas and Oklahoma State is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.