Lance Leipold praises special teams, run game after win over Oklahoma State
Kansas got a needed win, snapping a two-game losing skid with a 38-21 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday. Lance Leipold met with the media postgame, discussing the Jayhawks’ strong play in special teams and the run game. He also touched how Kansas needed a win after its last two losses.
Special teams make momentum-shifting plays
Kansas created a huge shift in momentum at the end of the first half with a special teams play. Leroy Harris III blocked a 19-yard field goal attempt, holding the Jayhawks 10-7 lead rather than it being a tie game. Leipold said it helped build excitement heading into the half.
“The block, I think, gave us a spark of, you know, obviously momentum and excitement and energy that we made the play, made the stop, and otherwise, you know, we hadn’t really slowed them down a lot,” Leipold said. “And those things, and with us getting the ball coming out, that was important as well.”
The Jayhawks’ special teams have been impressive as a unit this season. Against Oklahoma State, Emmanuel Henderson Jr. had a 56-yard kickoff return that set up a scoring drive.
Laith Marjan also remained perfect on the season, making a 39 yard field goal. He set a school record of 12 consecutive field goals made. Leipold said he’s impressive as a player and person.
“For him to have that type of consistency and the year he’s given us has really been amazing,” Leipold said. “Like a lot of our new additions, they’ve been really good guys to add to this program — not just as football players but as people. He’s near the top of the list in that regard just by what he brings.”
Fully healthy Daniel Hishaw and Leshon Williams make major impact
Kansas rushed for 232 yards as a team, the most since the Jayhawks’ win over West Virginia. Both Hishaw and Williams had more than 10 carries in a game for the first time this season. Leipold said it’s the healthiest the duo has been heading into a game this season.
“It’s the most healthy the two of them have been since the opening game of the season,” Leipold said. “To have them both healthy going down this final stretch will be very important for us. You can see when they’re both out there, they complement each other well. They’re very physical runners with good vision, and it’s hard to bring them down on first contact.”
Jalon Daniels only threw 19 passes as the Jayhawks relied on their running game, especially after building a lead in the second half. Williams had a drive where he had 10 straight carries, resulting in a touchdown. Leipold joked that he got on offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski for not calling runs earlier in the game.
“Early in the game, I got on Z a little bit because I never felt like we ran the ball twice in a row. I sarcastically said there’s no rule that says you can’t run it twice in a row,” Leipold said. “As we drove down for that one, that drive you’re talking to, he was like ‘I’m gonna try not to throw it now.’”
Leipold said Kansas stuck together through rough stretch and needed a win
Kansas picked up its first win in nearly a month, with its last win coming on October 4th against UCF. The Jayhawks lost their last two games by 50 combined points to go along with a bye week. Leipold said it has felt like a long stretch since their last win.
“I’m proud of our players and our coaches,” Leipold said. “Between the open weeks and things like that, it does seem to drag and you’re kinda seeing where it’s at for us to try and get a victory.”
Leipold said the team stuck together throughout the tough stretch. He relied on the team’s leadership, which responded well.
“Confidence can get dented at times in this thing, and they stuck together,” Leipold said. “We talked about our leadership during the week, and I thought our leadership group did a great job. I think our guys put the time and effort in that it took.
