Fast recap: Kansas comes up short against Utah on senior day

Kansas came up short of bowl eligibility and just short of Utah, falling 31-21 on its senior day.

Jalon Daniels struggled throughout his last game as a Jayhawk. The sixth-year senior completed 10 of 27 passes for 187 yards, throwing three interceptions on the day and two in the fourth quarter.

Daniels responded with a touchdown drive to cut the deficit to three with 5:32 to play in the fourth quarter. However, Utah used the nations’ second-best rushing attack and a concept that had killed Kansas all day to ice the game. Devon Dampier hit Larry Simmons on a fake quarterback run for a 48-yard dagger.

The Utes went away from their run game at times but finishing with 161 yards, averaging 5.2 per carry. Dampier had three chunk-play touchdowns, with two coming on the fake QB run. Dampier finished 15/25 with 253 yards.

First quarter: Two Kansas drives into Utah territory result in no points

Kansas won the toss and chose to receive, looking to get out to a lead after falling behind early in recent weeks. The Jayhawks had the makings of a drive going, with Jalon Daniels gaining 15 on a scramble and Cam Pickett picking up 25 on a quick-hitter. However, Daniels threw an interception on third-and-long with Kansas nearing the red zone.

Utah ran the ball four times with Wayshawn Parker, picking up 56 yards after a 44-yard burst on first down. A mistimed snap killed the Utes chance at a touchdown, settling for a 33-yard field goal to get on the board.

After throwing the ball six times in eight plays, Kansas relied on the run and had another drive rolling. Four Jayhawks ran the ball on 10 straight plays for 62 yards before Utah forced a third-and-long.

The Utes broke up the third down pass at the goal line. Kansas committed a false start on the first field-goal attempt, then Laith Marjan missed from 36 yards out.

The Jayhawks responded by forcing a three-and-out. Leroy Harris III broke up a pass on second down, then Devon Dampier got stopped short on a designed run on third down.

Second quarter: Teams trade touchdown drives

Kansas capitalized on a pair of big penalties as it finally converted in opposing territory. Bryson Canty induced a pass interference on a flea-flicker deep shot, before Utah hit Daniels late on a run. Daniel Hishaw gave the Jayhawks a 7-3 lead on a seven-yard touchdown run.

Harris made another big play to force a third-and-short, picking up a tackle for loss. Kansas sold out on the quarterback run on third down. Dampier looked like he was running, but he dumped a pass off to a wide-open JJ Buchanan for a 58-yard touchdown.

Kansas picked up a first down after Isaiah Marshall took his third carry of the game for nine yards on first down. However, the Jayhawks quickly got behind the sticks. They opted to run on third-and-13, and Finn Lappin’s punt pinned Utah at its 10.

Utah’s Larry Simmons made a close catch on the sideline that was upheld after review. Then, forward progress stopped what resulted in Lyrik Rawls forcing a fumble. Dampier missed his tight end Dallen Bentley on fourth down to give Kansas the ball with 45 seconds left.

Kansas played aggressive, throwing the ball on three straight plays. Daniels missed Emmanuel Henderson Jr. on a deep shot, then threw two more incompletions to punt the ball back at the end of the half.

Third quarter: Defense forces turnover as Jayhawks take the lead

Utah drove into Kansas territory but was quickly forced into a fourth down. Harris broke up his third pass of the game to get the Jayhawks off the field at their 33-yard line.

Daniels connected on his first deep ball of the day, hitting Henderson for 34 yards. On the next play, Daniels gained 16 on the ground on an option keeper. The Jayhawks dragged Marshall to the goal-line on a four-yard run, with Daniels eventually scoring on a sneak. Kansas took a 14-10 lead with 8:15 to play in the third quarter.

On Utah’s next offensive play, Trey Lathan ripped the ball out on a run from backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin.

However, Kansas couldn’t capitalize. The Jayahwks went four-and-out, with Blake Colton breaking up a pass intended for Bryson Canty.

The defense came away with another stop after allowing a 15-yard run on first down. A false start forced Utah into a third-and-long, and Dampier missed Buchanan, who almost came away with a circus catch.

Kansas’ offense started rolling, tallying explosive plays through the air. Daniels dropped a ball in the bucket to Henderson on third down for a gain of 25. He then hit Levi Wentz on a drag for a gain of 22. The Jayhawks neared the red zone at the end of the quarter, set up at the opposing 24.

Fourth quarter: Daniels throws two interceptions Jayhawks can’t respond from

Hishaw broke multiple tackles on his way to a 14-yard gain to set up a goal-to-go. However, Daniels threw an interception on the sideline of the end zone with seemingly no receiver in the area.

Utah drove down the field in four plays to take a 17-14 lead. Dampier dumped a short pass to Parker, who gained 32 yards after Kansas missed a pair of tackles. On the next play, Dampier completed a 28-yard touchdown to Simmons over the top of the Jayhawk defense.

The Jayhawks went back to the ground and rolled down the field, with Williams picking up a chunk play of 33 yards. When Kansas opted for a throw on third-and-goal from the five, Daniels got picked off again. Elijah Davis returned the interception 97 yards for a touchdown to give Utah what felt like a commanding 24-14 lead.

Daniels bounced right back, hitting Henderson on a 54-yard go route. The Jayhawks scored a touchdown in eight plays and 2:14, with Daniels finding Leyton Cure for a 21-yard score. Kansas cut its deficit to 24-21 with 5:32 to play.

Kansas forced a third-and-five near midfield as Utah attempted to drain the clock. The Jayhawks bit on the fake QB run again, with Dampier connecting with Simmons for a 48-yard touchdown to ice the game. The Utes led 31-21 with just over two minutes to play.

Daniels got sacked on fourth down, and Utah kneeled out the clock.