Lance Leipold calls loss to Kansas State a major step backwards

Lance Leipold said the gap between Kansas and Kansas State had closed in the last two seasons heading into Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown. The Jayhawks had been a play or two away in 2023 and 2024, losing by one possession. However, Saturday was a different story, as Kansas got blown out 42-17 to drop its 17th straight against its in-state rivals.

Leipold called the Jayhawks’ performance on Saturday a “major step backwards.” He said that Kansas was thoroughly outplayed, with Kansas State being physical up front and a threat in the deep passing game.

Loss to Kansas State was a “major step backwards,” Leipold places blame on himself

Leipold said he didn’t fault the Jayhawks’ effort, but felt like they got outplayed on Saturday. He said it was a major step backwards in making the rivalry with Kansas State more competitive.

“Definitely a major step backwards in that,” Leipold said. “And we have to own that. We were thoroughly outplayed. They executed better than us. They were more physical than us, and that’s very disappointing. And as a head coach, you have to; It’s your responsibility to have them ready to go.”

After the game, Leipold said he was frustrated and would be if he was a fan as well after Kansas extended its losing streak against Kansas State to 17 games. He called it a complete program loss, with outside blame being warranted and starting with himself.

“I’d be embarrassed [if I was a fan],” Leipold said. “I’m embarrassed right now. We need to play better in that. I’m embarrassed. You know, if you’re saying the win streak, I’m frustrated that we’ve lost five, because those are the five that I’ve been here. So I can’t control the past. I can work on the future.”

Wildcats more physical up front, pressure put Jalon Daniels off rhythm

Daniels completed 17 of 35 passes for 129 yards and threw an interception. He struggled finding receivers, tallying his lowest passing yards total since the BYU game in 2022 when he got injured. Leipold said Daniels battled but might not have been seeing things clearly.

“I don’t think he was seeing things real clear and at times, [but] I know this, the young man battled all day for us,” Leipold said. “I think there’s just a lot of things happening in his face that probably to their credit, put him off rhythm and put our passing game off rhythm.”

Leipold said he’d have to look closer at the film, but didn’t think it was a great day for the Kansas offensive line. The Jayhawks had to mix Enrique Cruz at left tackle and Nolan Gorczyca at right tackle with Calvin Clements hurt. Kansas State used a three-man front for the majority of the game and used linebackers in different ways to be disruptive up front.

“I thought what they did do is [they] really did a nice job of mixing up how they brought people and brought the backers and stuff and, you know, and those things [can be] very disruptive,” Leipold said. “The thing about it is that I thought that just off observation from the sideline is when they did come, they came physically and they were physical, put their hands and pads on people and when they were coming, they were moving people and that is credit to them.”

Kansas struggles defending deep passing game

In Leipold’s press conference leading up to the game on Monday, he called Avery Johnson underrated as a thrower and said you could see the evolution of an “outstanding quarterback.” Johnson averaged 21 yards per completion, only needing 17 attempts and 11 completions to rack up 231 yards.

Leipold said he expected Johnson to mix between short and deep throws, staying away from the intermediate, and that’s essentially what he did against the Jayhawks. It was the deep throws that hurt Kansas.

Johnson hit Jayce Brown for a 78-yard touchdown over the top of Austin Alexander in coverage. He completed 4 deep passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, helping Kansas State extend its lead in the first quarter and the dagger in the third. Leipold called Kansas’ deep pass coverage disappointing, and said they helped Johnson out on his first drive.

“He’s extremely dangerous, but, yeah, and for that to not defend the deep ball a little bit better was disappointing, I’ll say that,” Leipold said. “And, you know, even in their first touchdown drive, they, I mean, we give up 25 yards of penalties, one defensive holding, one face mask and things. So, I mean, it’s, when you’re giving them half the yardage of their drive on penalties almost, you’re not giving yourself much of a chance.”