Fast recap: Kansas locks down UCF in second half in comeback win

Kansas erased a 14-0 lead to get back into the win column, coming back to beat UCF 27-20 in Orlando on Saturday. The defense allowed over 250 yards and 162 on the ground in the first half, but pitched a shutout in the second half to secure the win.

Jalen Dye made a game-changing play on defense, forcing a fumble to set up Kansas’ game-winning drive. Leshon Williams rushed in from two yards out, his third touchdown of the game, to give the Jayhawks a 27-20 with 3:00 left in the third quarter. The defense held for the remainder of the game.

First quarter: Rushing attack gives UCF an early lead

Kansas fell behind early after it went three-and-out on its opening drive. UCF drove down the field with relative ease, converting on two third downs and scoring on a 10-play drive. Myles Montgomery had a wide-open hole and rushed for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Jayhawks looked to rebound, with Jalon Daniels getting a drive going with a 17-yard connection to Boden Groen. However, an illegal motion on a quarterback sneak backed up Kansas on third down. Daniels couldn’t hit an open Levi Wentz on fourth down, resulting in a turnover.

Montgomery broke off another explosive drive of 22 yards to put the Knights in Kansas territory. The Jayhawks forced a fourth down, but Montomgery rushed for 11 yards on fourth-and-two to keep the drive alive. UCF relied on Montgomery, who tallied 96 yards in the first quarter, hurdling over Kansas defenders as he put the Knights on the verge of the end zone.

Second quarter: Leshon Williams rushes for 2 TDs as game turns into a shootout

Montgomery reached the end zone on the first play of the second quarter to put UCF ahead 14-0.

Daniels hit Groen on a catch-and-run of 46 yards on third down to put the offense in business. UCF forced a fourth down, but Daniels’ sneak ended up as an 11-yard gain to set up the Jayhawks at first and goal. Leshon Williams rushed it in from one yard out to cut the score to 14-7.

Kansas’ defense continued to give up explosive plays as UCF extended its lead. After a holding put the Knights behind the sticks, Tayven Jackson completed a 20-yard pass to Kylan Fox. On the next play, a misdirection opened things up for a 46-yard run from Jaden Nixon. The defense didn’t break, holding the Knights to a 38-yard field goal.

The Jayhawks put together a complimentary, 11-play drive over 5:49 as they inched closer. Daniels got things going with a 24-yard completion to Emmanuel Henderson Jr. Cam Pickett picked up 12 yards on a tunnel screen as Williams had a pair of 10-plus yard runs. Another successful sneak set up Williams second touchdown of the game to cut the deficit to 17-14.

UCF marched down the field with 1:49 left and extended its lead heading into halftime. Jackson completed a screen pass to Duane Thomas Jr. on third-and-10, who ran for a first down to put the Knights in field goal range. Noe Ruelas made another field goal, this one in the rain, to extend the lead to 20-14 at the half.

Third quarter: Defense sets the tone as Kansas takes the lead

Kansas forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the half, wrapping up Montgomery on the third-down stop. The Knights punted for the first time, placing the Jayhawks at their 26.

Daniels picked apart the UCF defense, dialing up short passes as the Jayhawks drove down the field. However, a false start set up a third-and-eight, where Daniels extended the play but couldn’t find a receiver. Laith Marjan made a 33-yard field goal to make the score 20-17.

The defense got back-to-back stops, forcing another three-and-out. Leroy Harris III tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage to force consecutive punts.

Daniels hit Pickett on a deep ball for 38 yards to put the Jayhawks near the red zone. The drive stalled, with Daniels barely missing a touchdown pass to Henderson. Marjan made another field goal, this one from 41 yards, to tie the game.

The defense continued to set the tone in the second half, making a game-changing play. Kansas brought pressure on third down, with Jalen Dye shooting out of a cannon to land a huge hit on Jackson to force a fumble. The Jayhawks got the ball on the two yard-line, and Williams scored his third touchdown of the game to put Kansas ahead 27-20.

Cam Fancher replaced the injured Jackson, but UCF’s offense didn’t amount to much. Kansas sold out against the run and shut down the Knights, forcing another punt. The Jayhawks held UFC to negative yards in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter: Kansas secures win with goal-line stop

UCF started to put a drive together after forcing a punt, as Fancher used his legs to help get the Knights down the field. However, a pair of false starts and a Tommy Dunn sack pushed UCF out of field goal range. Harris broke up another pass at the line of scrimmage to force a punt. Anthony Venneri’s punt pinned Kansas right outside of its goal line.

Kansas couldn’t get a first down to get the drive started, and Finn Lappin’s punt set the Knights up near midfield with 7:36 to play in the game.

UCF quickly found itself in a fourth-down situation, but Fancher connected with DJ Black for a 22-yard gain. A facemask put the Knights up at first-and-goal from the five. UCF failed to convert on a pair of short-yardage situations, setting up fourth-and-goal from the one. Fancher didn’t find the end zone, giving Kansas the ball with 1:47 remaining.

The Jayhawks couldn’t get a first down backed up near their end zone again, but they did force UCF to burn all three of its timeouts. Lappin’s punt placed the Knights at midfield with 1:28 to play.

Fancher found freshman wide receiver Carl Jenkins Jr. for his first career catch, a gain of 17 yards to put the Knights at their 33 with 1:17. Austin Alexander broke up a pass in the end zone to force third-and-10 and the 22. Kansas forced incompletions on the next two plays to secure the win.