Kansas football grades: Analysis of KU Jayhawks’ upset win over the Oklahoma Sooners
The Kansas Jayhawks earned their sixth win of the season on Saturday.
Kansas (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) upset No. 6 Oklahoma 38-33 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
The win broke KU’s 18-game losing streak to the Sooners (7-1, 4-1) and made the Jayhawks bowl-eligible for the second straight season.
The win showed how far the Jayhawks have come under coach Lance Leipold.
“We’ve sat here for a long time just trying to keep it even, go steady and not talk about (it),” Leipold said. “You know what, it’s probably time for me to start talking about how proud I am of how far this program has come. It really has in a short time. That has to do with the players ... especially the ones that stuck around (and) believed in the direction.”
The Jayhawks will return to action next week on the road against Iowa State.
Here are grades for all three KU units against OU, plus our Kansas player of the game…
Kansas football grades
Offense: B+
KU’s offense wasn’t always perfect, but it was better more often than not vs. OU.
Kansas’ rushing attack led the way in this one, with 225 yards on the ground on 5.5 yards per carry.
Jason Bean finished 15-of-32 passing for 218 yards with no passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He was a little erratic on Saturday, but he saved his best for last.
He led the game-winning touchdown drive in the final minute, with running back Devin Neal ending the drive with a rushing touchdown.
Overall, this wasn’t the best performance by KU’s offense, but they answered the call when needed.
Defense: A-
Coming into the game, OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel had over 2,000 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Well, KU’s defense limited Gabriel to 14-of-19 passing for 171 yards with zero passing touchdowns and one interception. That interception was a pick-six.
KU’s defense could have been better in limiting OU’s rushing attack that put up 269 yards on the ground for 4.9 yards per carry, but the Jayhawks limited the damage overall.
Kansas forced three turnovers and ended up with 12 points off turnovers.
OU finished with 440 yards total.
Special teams: C+
KU’s special teams have had better days.
First, KU kick returner Trevor Wilson muffed a return attempt, and OU recovered — eventually leading to seven points for OU.
KU kicker Seth Keller missed a field goal that could’ve given Kansas an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter. Keller went 2-for-3 on his field goals and made all his PATs.
Punter Damon Greaves, meanwhile, averaged 43 yards on his two attempts.
The Jayhawks also recovered a kickoff when they kicked it short and away from the return man.
Player of the game: Kansas running back Devin Neal
Whenever KU needed crucial yards, they turned to star running back Devin Neal. More often than not — he delivered.
He finished with 112 rushing yards on 4.5 yards per carry and one touchdown, which was the game-winning score.
