Fast recap: Kansas loses 17th straight to Kansas State in blowout

There were dramatics early, with Kansas scoring a touchdown to take an early lead after forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff. That was essentially the highlight of the day for the Jayhawks, who ended up on the losing side of the Sunflower Showdown for the 17th straight year, falling 42-17.

Kansas gave up a touchdown on a low snap on the punt and things spiraled to a Kansas State blowout from there. Jalon Daniels had a dreadful outing, completing 17 of 35 passes for just 129 yards and throwing an interception. The Jayhawks failed to capitalize down a possession after halftime with the ball, and the Wildcats controlled things the rest of the way.

Here’s how it happened:

First quarter: Fumbles rain down as Kansas State takes early lead

Kansas won the toss and elected to defer and instantly created a takeaway on the opening kickoff. Jalen Dye laid the hit on Bryce Noernberg and the Jayhawks instantly took over at the 25-yard line.

The offense narrowly avoided a fumble of its own, with Jalon Daniels crossing the end zone on an RPO keeper before the ball came out. Daniels completed all three of his passes before his rushing touchdown, giving Kansas a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game.

Kansas State’s first drive was a flag-filled march to the end zone. Three out of the seven plays on the Wildcats’ 82-yard touchdown drive resulted in a penalty, including a holding and facemask on the Jayhawks’ defense. Avery Johnson completed a 34-yard pass to Jayce Brown before scoring on a two-yard run.

Another special teams disaster ensued, this time in the favor of Kansas State. Finn Lappin was unable to handle a low snap, and Ralph Ortiz, the player subject to the Wildcats’ unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the sideline on the previous drive to the end zone. Two touchdowns were scored off fumbles in the first six minutes of the game.

Kansas got the ground game going as the Jayhawks drove into Kansas State territory. Daniel Hishaw ran hard and physical, while Daniels picked up 15 on an option keeper. The Jayhawks were forced to a fourth down at the 34, and a free rusher got home on an all-out blitz to force a turnover. Weather continued to play a factor, and Daniels fumbled for the third fumble in the first quarter.

The teams traded three and outs. Bangally Kamara got pressure to force an incompletion, but Daniels threw another dropped interception.

Johnson had time, and his receivers got wide open as the Wildcats extended their lead to 21-7 at the end of the first quarter. He completed passes of 20 and 16 yards with Kansas defenders nowhere in the area. Johnson threw a pretty 27-yard pass to Jaron Tibbs for the score.

Second quarter: Jayhawks control possession to close deficit heading into halftime

The Kansas defense looked to settle in to keep the game close as the offense struggled to get anything going. The Jayhawks forced a third-and-long and an incompletion to get off the field.

Daniels’ best plays came with the legs as he struggled to complete passes through the air. He converted two third downs on scrambles, including one of 13 yards. A holding on Hishaw backed Kansas up to third-and-11, but Daniels came right back to Hishaw on a screen to keep the offense on the field.

Kansas continued on a monster 18-play, nine-minute drive to make it a one-possession game heading into halftime. Hishaw broke three tackles on a two-yard run for the score with 30 seconds left in the half.

The Jayhawks held possession for 11:15 in the second quarter and held a 19:57-10:03 advantage for the game. Kansas relied on the ground game and controlled the clock. It trailed by just one possession after a disastrous start, getting the ball out of halftime.

Third quarter: Wildcats take firm control of the game

Neither offense got much going in the early minutes of the second half. Daniels kept missing throws, and the defense forced a three and out. On Kansas’ next possession, Daniels threw behind Keaton Kubecka on third down, resulting in an interception after the ball got tipped.

Kansas State capitalized following the turnover. Johnson kept the Wildcats on the field with a fourth-and-one run, then hit Jayce Brown for 28 yards to place them at the one. DeVon Rice rushed for the score to extend Kansas State’s lead to 28-14 midway through the third.

The Jayhawks’ offense couldn’t manage anything easy or explosive. The run game and short completions were the bulk of the offensive identity. Kansas State forced a third-and-long, and Kansas had to settle for a 47-yard field goal after Daniels threw an incompletion.

Kansas State struck back instantly. Johnson completed a beautiful throw over the top of the defense to Brown for a 78-yard touchdown, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 35-17.

Fourth quarter: Kansas goes out with a whimper

Facing an 18-point deficit, the offense couldn’t get anything going in the right direction. Kansas failed to convert on its first two drives in the fourth quarter, managing just one first down. Most plays ended with Daniels sacked for a loss or a missed receiver.

Kansas State seemed content to not do anything special on offense in attempt to run down the clock. The Wildcats took 6:16 off the clock, taking 10 plays to drive 30 yards for a touchdown. Johnson extended the lead to 42-17 with his second rushing score of the day.

Cole Ballard subbed into the game at quarterback and threw an interception off the hands of Cam Pickett to Gunnar Maldanado. Kansas State won its 17th straight against Kansas.