Fast recap: Kansas handled by Iowa State in Ames

Kansas fell behind early, shut out at halftime for the first time this season. The Jayhawks’ offense got going at times in the second half, but couldn’t make the necessary stops and lost to Iowa State 38-14 in Ames.

The defense struggled immensely on money downs. Iowa State converted 9/16 of third downs and was 4/5 on fourth. Three of the Cyclones’s fourth-down conversions resulted in touchdowns.

Jalon Daniels completed 13 of 23 passes for 154 yards and an interception. Kansas’ lone passing touchdown came from Cole Ballard, who threw a 21-yard touchdown after being inserted for a play while Daniels was hurt.

First quarter: Iowa State marches down the field for an early lead

Things looked easy for Iowa State’s offense on its first drive, scoring a touchdown in 12 plays. Kansas struggled with run fits early, allowing Carson Hansen multiple runs of 10 yards or more. Hansen kept a drive alive with a fourth-down conversion on the ground, before Rocco Becht found Brett Eskildsen for a nine-yard score.

Kansas narrowly avoided a special teams disaster after Iowa State got a third-down stop near midfield. The snap sailed over Finn Lappin’s head, but he was able to race back and get the punt off in time. It ended up as a 27-yard put and set the Cyclones up at their 28.

Another holding penalty negated a Kansas turnover as Iowa State drove down the field in attempt to extend its lead. Becht completed short passes to Hansen out of the backfield, while the Jayhawk defense didn’t put much stress on him.

Eskildsen caught a 17-yard pass to set up the Cyclones in a goal-to-go scenario from the four-yard line at the end of the first quarter. Becht completed all eight of his passes in the first quarter, and Iowa State averaged 6.1 yards per play.

Second quarter: Cyclones take firm control of the game

Iowa State finished off an 10-play touchdown drive with a Hansen run. The Cyclones chewed up over 12 minutes of game clock and had a 14-0 lead four seconds into the second quarter.

Kansas’ offense opened some things up on its next drive, getting Emmanuel Henderson Jr. in space for a 15-yard gain. The Jayhawks marched into the red zone on a variety of quick-hitting passes and runs. However, a false start on third-and-four stalled the drive to force a field-goal attempt. Laith Marjan’s kick from 41 yards fell short after a high snap.

The Cyclones had gains of 18 and 15 as they look to extend their lead. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer was stopped short on a direct snap after an offsides set Iowa State up at third-and-two. However, Kyle Konrardy made a 55-yard field goal to put the lead at 17-0.

Kansas again only picked up a single first down before punting. Daniels got crossed up with Bryson Canty, who didn’t turn his head as the ball went his way. Jahlil Hurley made a nice tackle in punt coverage to stop Iowa State at its 21.

The Cyclones looked content to get the game to halftime, playing things conservatively with 3:29 on the clock. Yet, Hansen broke a toss play for 25 yards to near Konrardy’s range. Iowa State ultimately punted from the opposing 44, with the punt bouncing into the end zone.

Kansas ran the ball once with 23 seconds left and went into the half trailing 17-0. Iowa State held a 18:57-11:03 advantage in time of possession and doubled up the Jayhawks’ yardage total.

Third quarter: Kansas’ offense gets going but can’t get stops

The Jayhawks came out of the gates hot, starting with the ball at the 35 after the kickoff sailed out of bounds. Kansas marched down the field in four plays, finally generating some explosive plays. Daniel Hishaw Jr. rushed for 22 yards before Daniels connected with Levi Wentz for a 30-yard gain. Leshon Williams rushed it in from four yards out to get the Jayhawks on the board.

Kansas had its chance to get off the field on third and long after Iowa State played behind the sticks due to penalties. Becht hit Chase Sowell for 36 yards over the top of the defense to keep the Cyclones on the field. He then connected with Eskildsen for another touchdown, picking up 20 yards on a play-action play on fourth down.

Daniels completed a vertical shot to Boden Groen for 34 yards to start the drive. However, he got hit hard on an option keeper and left the game two plays later. On the next play with Cole Ballard at quarterback, Ballard rolled out with the jumbo package in, throwing over the top of the defense to Groen for a 21-yard touchdown.

With the offense getting going, the Jayhawks needed stops to change the tide. Kansas had its chances, but missed multiple tackles on a 24-yard third down catch and left Brahmer wide open for a 12-yard touchdown on fourth down. The Cyclones extended their lead to 31-14 near the end of the third quarter.

Daniels came back into the game after missing just the one play, while Kansas relied on the run. Williams rushed for 24 yards to start the drive, before Daniels hit Pickett short of the sticks to set up a fourth down at the start of the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter: Iowa State secures the win

Daniels was stopped short on a fourth down scramble, giving the ball back to the Cyclones.

Iowa State looked content to run clock, running the ball on seven of its nine plays. Justice Finkley got home on the sack on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs.

Kansas ramped up the pace as it needed a quick score to have any chance at a late comeback. The Jayhawks marched into the red zone, but Daniels threw an interception on a pass to the end zone to ice the game.

Iowa State went on another clock-killing drive with the game in hand. The Cyclones went for it again on fourth down, with Aiden Flora rushing 38 yards for a touchdown to put the score at 38-14.